The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) has recorded a major legal victory as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)High Court upheld its powers to investigate allegations of corruption in the administration of scholarship funds in Kano State.
Justice Josephine Obanor, delivering judgment on Tuesday, dismissed a fundamental rights suit filed by officials of the Kano State Ministry of Higher Education and the Kano State Scholarship Board, led by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Hadi Bala.
The officials had challenged the ICPC’s invitation to provide documents and clarifications on the alleged mismanagement of scholarship funds, arguing that such invitations infringed on their fundamental rights.
They also joined the minister of justice and attorney-general of the federation as a party to the suit.
But Justice Obanor struck out the justice minister’s name, describing his joinder as unnecessary, and ruled that the scholarship board officials must be properly joined as parties.
The judge held that ICPC’s invitation letters for investigation purposes do not constitute a breach of fundamental rights.
“The applicants failed to show any violation of their rights,” Justice Obanor ruled, stressing that the ICPC cannot be restrained from carrying out its statutory duty of investigating corruption and financial impropriety.
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The court consequently dismissed the suit for lack of merit, affirming the commission’s authority to probe the Kano scholarship funds case.
Reacting to the judgment, the ICPC said the ruling reinforces its mandate to investigate and prosecute corruption-related offences across Nigeria’s public sector.
“The ICPC reiterates its unwavering commitment to transparency, accountability, and justice, assuring Nigerians that due process and the rule of law will continue to guide its operations,” the commission’s spokesperson, Demola Bakare, said in a statement.
