Court bars ICPC from probing Kano official over ₦6.5bn fraud

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has vowed to appeal a Kano High Court judgment that barred it from investigating Abdullahi Rogo, the Director-General of Protocol at the Kano State Government House, over an alleged ₦6.5 billion fraud.

Justice Musa Ahmad, in a ruling delivered on August 18, 2025, held that the ICPC’s summons violated Rogo’s fundamental rights and restrained the commission from further questioning him.

The court also awarded Rogo ₦2 million in damages.

Rejecting the verdict, the ICPC said the decision undermines its statutory powers and protects a politically powerful official from accountability.

The agency confirmed it would file an appeal once it obtains the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the ruling.

Investigations by both the ICPC and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) link Rogo to the diversion of ₦6.5 billion through fictitious contracts, bureau de change operators, shell companies, and personal accounts.

Over ₦1 billion has already been recovered.

On July 2, 2025, the Federal High Court in Kano granted a final forfeiture order on part of the suspected loot traced to Rogo.

Earlier in April, the ICPC had secured an interim forfeiture of ₦142 million, which was confirmed in May after no objections were filed.

The anti-graft agency insists it will pursue the case to its logical conclusion despite the restraining order.