Court gives ICPC go ahead to probe alleged fraud in Kano scholarship scheme

The High Court sitting in FCT has dismissed suit by officials of the Kano State Government restraining the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC, from probing alleged fraud in the state’s scholarship scheme.

The Permanent Secretary of the Kano State Ministry of Higher Education, Hadi Bala, had in a suit challenged the powers of ICPC to investigate officials of Kano government, contending that such invitations violated their fundamental rights.

In a statement on its website, the ICPC explained that 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, 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,” the commission said.

Delivering judgement on the matter, the judge 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 investigation purpose, does not constitute a breach of fundamental rights.

The court held that the applicants failed to show any violation of their rights and reaffirmed that ICPC could not be restrained from performing its lawful duty of investigation.

Consequently, the suit was dismissed for lack of merit.

“This ruling reinforces the Commission’s authority to investigate cases of alleged corruption and financial misconduct in line with its statutory mandate,” the statement said.

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.