Corruption Scandal: Hon. Kazaure Reveals How President Tinubu Discarded Vital Evidence of ₦100 Trillion Theft

 

Hon. Mohammad Kazaure, a former member of the Nigerian House of Representatives, has raised grave concerns about a confidential investigation he conducted into a massive corruption scandal that reportedly involves the theft of over ₦100 trillion under the previous administration. Kazaure claims that, despite his efforts to expose the culprits and recover the stolen funds, the current President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, ignored the details of the investigation and failed to act on them.

According to Kazaure, President Tinubu personally reached out to him before he was sworn in as President. During that phone call, Kazaure submitted an extensive dossier containing the names of those responsible for looting the nation’s resources. At the time, the value of the stolen funds was calculated at over $113 billion, or approximately ₦100 trillion. Kazaure alleges that he handed over full documentation detailing the theft, which he claims was perpetrated by a network of powerful individuals.

"I gave him the full document and all the names of people who stole and shared the over ₦100 trillion naira among themselves," Kazaure recalled. "I said to Mr. President, this investigation cost me my election. I escaped assassination twice. The reason I had to leave the country and go into hiding was to protect myself from those people. I was supposed to be campaigning for my re-election in 2023, but I couldn’t risk it."

The former lawmaker expressed his disappointment in President Tinubu's reaction. Kazaure claims the President, after receiving the critical documents, chose not to act on them. Instead of using the information to recover the stolen funds, Kazaure says Tinubu "threw all the documents into the dustbin." The result, Kazaure argues, is that the same individuals who looted the nation's coffers during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure are now the ones who have positioned themselves as key figures in Tinubu’s administration.

The allegations made by Kazaure paint a damning picture of Nigeria’s political and economic landscape. It also raises concerns about the efficacy of Tinubu's anti-corruption agenda, as Kazaure claims that the evidence provided was substantial enough to begin recovering billions in stolen funds. Despite this, Kazaure claims the President has resorted to borrowing large sums of money from international lenders instead of taking decisive steps to recover the stolen wealth. Kazaure further emphasizes that had the funds been recovered, Nigeria would not have needed to seek external loans for its development over the next eight years.

Kazaure also highlights the personal cost of his investigation. According to him, his life was under constant threat due to the sensitive nature of the findings. The investigation, which he claims was politically motivated, resulted in significant personal sacrifices. The former legislator says that his failure to secure re-election was a direct result of the risks he took in exposing the theft. Despite these challenges, Kazaure insists that he believed in the importance of sharing the information with the current administration for the greater good of Nigeria.

While Kazaure’s claims have not been independently verified, they add to the mounting criticism surrounding the handling of corruption cases under President Tinubu. The former president’s administration, while being credited for its fight against graft, has faced allegations of selective justice, with some believing that certain political elites continue to wield significant influence. Kazaure’s revelations suggest that despite the rhetoric, Nigeria’s political elite may not be as committed to tackling corruption as they claim.

The accusations also cast a shadow on the current administration’s economic policies. As the country grapples with mounting debt and an economic crisis, many Nigerians have questioned the wisdom of borrowing further funds when, according to Kazaure, the country’s wealth is being hoarded by a few influential figures.

Kazaure has called on President Tinubu to act on the information he provided. He insists that the recovery of the stolen funds could go a long way in addressing Nigeria’s financial challenges, thus freeing the country from the need to take on additional loans. However, for now, the former lawmaker’s claims remain largely unanswered by the President and his administration.

As the matter unfolds, Nigerians are left questioning the integrity of their leadership and wondering whether true anti-corruption efforts will ever take root or if the powerful individuals who have enriched themselves at the expense of the nation will continue to thrive. With no concrete response from the President so far, the case remains a painful reminder of the challenges Nigeria faces in tackling systemic corruption.