Court upholds ICPC’s investigative powers in Kano scholarship funds case
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, has secured a major judicial victory as a Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, presided by Justice Josephine Obanor, has dismissed attempts to restrain the Commission from carrying out its statutory mandate of investigation.
The matter arose from a petition received by the Commission alleging financial impropriety in the administration of scholarship funds in Kano State.
In the course of the investigation, ICPC invited officials from the Kano State Ministry of Higher Education and the Kano State Scholarship Board to provide documents and clarifications.
However, rather than comply, the applicants, led by the Permanent Secretary of the Kano State Ministry of Higher Education, Dr. Hadi Bala, filed Suit No. CV/2857/2025 against the Attorney-General of the Federation and ICPC, alleging that such invitations violated their fundamental rights.
Delivering judgment on the matter, Justice Obanor ruled that the officials of the Kano State Scholarship Board be properly joined as parties in the suit and that the Attorney-General of the Federation be struck out as a party, as his joinder was unnecessary.
The judge held that an invitation letter from ICPC, for an investigative purpose, does not constitute a breach of fundamental rights.
The court further held that the applicants failed to show any violation of their rights and reaffirmed that ICPC cannot be restrained from performing its lawful duty of investigation.
Consequently, the suit was dismissed for lack of merit.
The ruling reinforces the Commission’s authority to investigate cases of alleged corruption and financial misconduct in line with its statutory mandate.
Reacting to the development, the ICPC reiterated its unwavering commitment to transparency, accountability, and justice in Nigeria’s public sector, assuring Nigerians that due process and the rule of law will continue to guide its operations.
