A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Abuja has affirmed the powers of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate alleged financial mismanagement of scholarship funds in Kano State.
The ruling was delivered by Justice Josephine Obanor who dismissed a suit filed by the Permanent Secretary of Kano State Ministry of Higher Education, Dr. Hadi Bala, and others seeking to stop the ICPC from inviting officials for questioning.
The case followed a petition received by the anti-graft agency alleging irregularities in the management of the state’s scholarship funds. In the course of its investigation, ICPC invited officials of the Ministry of Higher Education and the Scholarship Board to provide documents and explanations.
Instead of honouring the invitation, the applicants went to court with suit No. CV/2857/2025 against the Attorney-General of the Federation and ICPC, arguing that the invitation violated their fundamental rights.
In her ruling, Justice Obanor ordered that the Attorney-General be struck out of the matter since his joinder was unnecessary, but held that ICPC acted within its mandate.
She said an invitation for investigation does not amount to a breach of rights and found no merit in the suit.
The judge consequently dismissed the case and affirmed that ICPC cannot be restrained from carrying out its statutory responsibility.
Reacting to the judgement, ICPC said the ruling was a major victory that strengthens its resolve to ensure transparency and accountability in the management of public funds.
The commission reiterated its commitment to due process, the rule of law, and the fight against corruption in the country.