The League of Civil Society Organizations in Kano State has called on the state government to suspend and prosecute senior officials accused of multi-billion naira corruption, warning that the scandals threaten to erode public trust and cripple development in the state.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the coalition said Kano is “at a crossroads” following recent revelations by Nigeria’s anti-graft agencies, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The ICPC had earlier concluded investigations into a N1.02 billion money laundering scheme allegedly involving the Chairman of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC), Professor Sani Lawan Malumfashi, the commission’s Secretary, Anas Mustapha, and a Deputy Director in the Accounts Department, Ado Garba and set to arraign the suspects.
According to the ICPC, the trio conspired to move the funds to a private company despite payments to electoral staff already being settled through the banking system.
‘’Just last week, the Daily Nigerian reported another scandal implicating the Director General of Protocol, Government House Kano, Abdullahi Ibrahim Rogo, who is alleged to have diverted N6.5 billion through shell companies and bureau de change operators,’’ the statement said.
‘’Court documents revealed suspicious inflows and outflows in his accounts, leading to the forfeiture of N142.2 million and the freezing of multiple accounts by the Federal High Court in Kano.
“These cases are not isolated incidents. They reflect a disturbing pattern of systemic abuse of public office, where state institutions are weaponised for personal enrichment.
“The people of Kano State, who entrusted this administration with their votes and hopes, are now confronted with betrayal,” the statement read.
The groups warned that the scandals could weaken democratic institutions, discourage investment, and deepen poverty.
“When elected officials and senior bureaucrats are implicated in grand corruption, it signals a breakdown of the social contract and breeds cynicism, apathy, and disillusionment among citizens.
“Kano State stands at a crossroads. The choice before us is clear: either we confront corruption head-on and restore integrity to public office, or we allow the rot to deepen, risking the collapse of our institutions and the future of our children,” the coalition said.
The coalition demanded immediate action, including the suspension of implicated officials, an independent forensic audit of all state ministries and agencies, stronger oversight from the State Assembly, and the publication of quarterly financial reports.
“All officials implicated in these scandals must be suspended from office pending the outcome of investigations. The government must cooperate fully with the ICPC and EFCC to ensure swift and transparent prosecution,” the CSOs stressed.
They also called for better protection for whistleblowers, saying, “Individuals who expose corruption must be protected from retaliation and intimidation. A whistleblower protection framework should be enacted and enforced,” the statement added.
The press statement was endorsed by 20 CSOs, including Wuro Development Concerns, Centre for Human Rights and Social Advancement, Youth and Environmental Development Association, Campaign for Democracy, United Action for Democracy, Rule of Law and Justice Advancement Network, Centre for Gender and Social Inclusion and the Nigerian Environmental Society, among others.
