Court Orders Forfeiture of N1.1 Billion Allegedly Withdrawn by Kano State Government from federation account

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the interim forfeiture of N1.1 billion, reportedly withdrawn by the Kano State Government from its Federation Account. Justice Emeka Nwite granted the order on Tuesday following an ex parte motion filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), which described the funds as proceeds of unlawful activities.

The ICPC specifically requested the forfeiture of N1,109,230,000 recovered during the investigation of Petition Number ICPC/P/NC/564/2024, asserting that the amount was “reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.”

ICPC Allegations Against Kano State Officials

An affidavit by L. David Efut Nelson, Anti-Corruption Assistant with the ICPC, revealed that a petition dated August 19, 2024, alleged the withdrawal of N2.3 billion from the Kano State Federation Account in cash for purposes unrelated to government business. Investigations showed that on November 9, 2023, the Accountant General of Kano State, Abdulkadir Abdulsalam, allegedly authorised payments totaling N1,172,563,560 to two Bureau de Change companies—Namu Na Kune Global Resources Ltd and Kazo Nazo Global Concept.

The Accountant General reportedly submitted letters of authority, purportedly signed by the Managing Directors of A. Y. Maikifi Oil & Gas Ltd and Ammas Petroleum Company Ltd, instructing the state government to make payments for diesel supply. The ICPC claimed the contracts mentioned in these letters did not exist.

Further investigations revealed that the companies converted the funds into $1 million, handed to Ghali Muhammad Dahiru for delivery to Abdullahi Ibrahim Rogo, Director of Protocol, Government House, Kano State. The ICPC stated it successfully recovered N1,109,230,000 from the companies.

Court Proceedings

During the court session, ICPC counsel Oluwafunke Rebecca Bada requested the interim forfeiture order and sought publication of the order in national newspapers, allowing any interested party to contest the forfeiture. Justice Nwite granted the unopposed motion and adjourned the matter to January 21, 2026, for a compliance report.

Since the motion was granted ex parte, any party dissatisfied with the ruling may approach the court to seek redress. The case is linked to allegations of financial corruption against several aides of the Kano State Government.

Government Response

Weeks earlier, the Kano State Government addressed claims of public fund diversion. In a statement by Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, Director-General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Kano, the administration maintained that all disbursements to ministries, departments, and agencies are properly budgeted and coded. It affirmed that no individual handles public funds without designated authority and expressed confidence in the integrity of Director-General Abdullahi Ibrahim Rogo. The government also accused opposition groups of attempting to use petitions to tarnish the administration and undermine support for the governor.