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By Lizzy Chirkpi
Anti-corruption advocates have slammed a controversial ruling by the Kano State High Court in Bichi, accusing Justice Musa Ahmad of shielding a senior government official from investigation in a suspected N6.5 billion fraud.
On August 18, Justice Ahmad restrained the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from probing Abdullahi Rogo, Director-General (Protocol) to Governor Abba Yusuf.
The ruling, critics say, undermines a Federal High Court judgment that already ordered the forfeiture of N142 million linked to the alleged scam. Investigators allege Rogo masterminded the diversion of billions through bureau de change operators and shell companies. The ICPC has so far recovered N1.3 billion.
Rogo sued the agencies, claiming harassment and “double jeopardy,” and sought N20 million in damages, N2 million in legal fees, and 10% annual interest on any judgment sum.
Justice Ahmad ruled that overlapping invitations from both agencies posed a likelihood of rights violation, declared the ICPC’s invitation unlawful, and awarded Rogo N2 million against the agencies.
The decision sparked outrage among rights groups. Olanrewaju Suraj, Chair of the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA), described it as “deliberate ignorance or sabotage” of anti-corruption efforts.
“A single crime can attract multiple charges under different mandates,” Suraj said. “Stopping agencies from performing their statutory duties only protects corrupt officials.”
Auwal Rafsanjani, Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), called the ruling “judicial recklessness,” warning it contradicts Supreme Court precedents affirming anti-graft agencies’ powers.
“This is the kind of judicial corruption, immorality, and ethical misconduct we continue to see in Nigeria,” Rafsanjani said. “No public official should fear investigation if they are transparent.”
The ICPC has vowed to appeal the ruling. Civil society groups are urging the National Judicial Council (NJC) to sanction judges who obstruct accountability, citing previous cases where similar injunctions were overturned and judges disciplined.