By Uche Amunike
The eldest son of Ex-Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has denied the viral rumors about operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), raiding his Kaduna residence and discovering funds in different currencies, stashed in vaults.
Bello El-Rufai, who currently represents Kaduna North Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, described the allegations as a calculated effort to undermine his credibility and distract his public service.
The rumors have been making the rounds that EFCC uncovered $800 million and N700 billion in cash, as well as N1 trillion worth of drugs at his Kaduna residence.
Speaking, through a statement signed and released to newsmen on Wednesday, Bello stated that he does not own a residence in Kaduna, but rather, has lived in his family home in Unguwa Sarki, right from when he was born, till date. He insisted that the allegation was false and unfounded, further describing it as a deliberate attempt made to mislead the public, sow the seed of confusion and tarnish his reputation.
Hear him: ‘My constituents that I represent know what will happen if I was blessed with such figures. For those sponsoring these ignorant attacks, I assure you that we will continue to serve the people, and we will continue to enjoy how it annoys them; adding quality, frank, and honest representation is here to stay in Kaduna North.’
‘The use of fake news to manipulate public perception and instigate discord, stressing the attempt to connect him to illicit activities through unfounded allegations was not only defamatory but an affront to the principles of justice and fairness,’ he stated.
He stated that his legal team would carry out legal action against some media outfits, adding that the money they pay for their lies will be put to good use in Kaduna North. He also stated that the image being circulated was originally published in Vanguard in April 2017.
On their part, the EFCC has denied the claims that it uncovered $800 million, N700 billion in cash, as well as drugs, valued at 1 trillion naira at the residence of Bello El-Rufai, the eldest son of the immediate past governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai.
An unconfirmed report made the rounds on Wednesday, claiming that those alleged sums of money and drugs were recovered at the residence of the former Governor’s son and lawmaker.
The EFCC, however, denied carrying out such an operation, through a brief statement officially released by them on Thursday, via Facebook. They explicitly described the reports as false and baseless. They also told the general public to ignore it as it had no iota of truth in it.
The statement partly read: ‘EFCC Discovers $800 Million, ₦700 Billion Cash, and ₦1 Trillion Worth of Drugs at Nasir El-Rufai Son’s House in Kaduna.’
‘This piece of news quoted above is a false narrative of the activities of the EFCC. Members of the public are enjoined to ignore it.’
