Court Stops Kano Anti-Graft Agency From Probing Missing N100b From LG Account

On Tuesday, a Federal High Court in Kano issued an order that effectively halted the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission from proceeding with its investigation into the alleged missing N100 billion from Local Government Council accounts.

Presided over by Justice S.A. Amobeda, the court also restrained the Kano Anti-graft Commission and its agents from taking any actions such as inviting, investigating, arresting, or intimidating the Local Government chairmen in the state. This restriction will remain in place until the court reaches a decision on the Applicants’ Motion on Notice.

The 15 Local Government chairmen from Dawakin Tofa, Ungogo, Dambatta, Kunchi, Rimin Gado, Karate, Bichi, Tsanyawa, Gwarzo, Tarauni, Dala, Turun Wada, Kano Municipal, and Shanono are the applicants in this case, while the respondents are the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission and Bar. Muhuyi Gado.

The Court granted an Interim Injunction, preventing the respondents from carrying out any actions against the Applicants, including arresting, investigating, detaining, harassing, or intimidating them in relation to the Local Governments’ accounts, personal accounts, vouchers, and cash books, pending the hearing and determination of the Applicants’ Motion on Notice.

Furthermore, the court ordered that the respondents must not proceed with any further steps related to the invitation communicated in the 1st Respondent’s letters, dated 7th and 10th July 2023, until the court resolves the Applicants’ Motion on Notice.

The Court also prioritized an accelerated hearing of the Applicants’ Motion on Notice and directed the Respondents to maintain the status quo regarding the subject matter of the suit until the court makes a final decision on the matter.