The National Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, appeared at a High Court in Kano State on Thursday in connection with a case involving allegations of fund diversion by the state government, reportedly involving 44 local government caretaker chairmen.
The caretaker chairmen, along with the commissioner for local government, who is also the deputy governor of Kano, had obtained an interim order halting the ICPC’s investigation. This order restrains the agency from investigating or inviting the officials over the alleged diversion of funds.
Aliyu stated that his presence in Kano was to ensure the case proceeds as the commission had intended. He emphasized the importance of the case and the challenge to the commission’s jurisdiction.
“These individuals secured an order restricting us from further investigations and filed for contempt of court,” Dr. Aliyu remarked.
He noted that the Supreme Court had ruled that caretaker chairmen across local governments were unlawful, stating, “These individuals do not have the legal right to sue the commission. I am here to ensure the apex court order is enforced.”
He added, “We must not allow people to use the court to avoid accountability.”
The case follows allegations from August that the Kano State government, through its caretaker chairmen, was involved in the fraudulent purchase of drugs. Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has denied any knowledge of the matter.
Counsel for the applicants, Shamsudeen Ubale Jibril, who represents the Ministry for Local Government, ALGON, and the caretaker chairmen, clarified that the suit concerns fundamental rights and challenges the involvement of multiple agencies in the investigation.
Jibril said, “The case seeks the court’s interpretation on the legality of having seven agencies investigate one matter, describing it as ‘forum shopping’ and ‘abuse of court process.’”
He also mentioned that the Kano State anti-graft agency had already begun investigating the local government chairmen over a contract award that allegedly bypassed due process.
“We are here to inform the court that the ICPC is disobeying the earlier injunction restraining it from further investigation, harassment, or invitation concerning the matter,” Jibril added.
