A coalition of forty-five civil society organizations (CSOs) operating under the banner of Justice for All (JA) has called upon the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to undertake a thorough investigation into the tenure of former Kano State governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and pursue legal action if any wrongdoing is uncovered.
Kwankwaso, who currently serves as the national leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), held the governorship of Kano State on two separate occasions, from 1999 to 2003 and from 2011 to 2015.
In a letter addressed to the EFCC and co-signed by JA’s co-chairmen, Auwalu Ibrahim and Dr. Dave Ogbole, on behalf of the coalition, it was emphasized that the investigation is imperative to ensure accountability for the resources of Kano State, particularly in light of the significant hardships faced by its people.
The letter outlined specific areas for the EFCC’s scrutiny, including the management of local government allocations, internally generated revenue, and allocations from the Federation Account during Kwankwaso’s tenure. Concerns were raised regarding the utilization of funds, particularly noting discrepancies between allocated amounts and tangible development projects in the state.
Furthermore, JA urged the EFCC to investigate the sale of Kano State Government assets, seeking clarification on the identities of buyers, asset valuation, confirmation of payments, and the allocation of proceeds from the sales.
Allegations of grand corruption and illegal benefits purportedly received by Kwankwaso, his family, and associates prompted the call for investigation, as the coalition expressed skepticism about the willingness of successive state administrations to address suspected financial improprieties.
Drawing attention to ongoing probes into the tenure of the immediate past governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, for alleged financial misconduct, by the Kano state anti-corruption and public complaints commission over the alleged diversion of N51 billion during his tenure as governor of Kano from 2015 to 2023, JA urged the EFCC to demonstrate similar diligence in investigating Kwankwaso’s administration. The coalition cited the need for impartiality and emphasized the importance of addressing corruption irrespective of political affiliations.
JA issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the EFCC to commence investigations into Kwankwaso’s tenure, underscoring the urgency of the matter. Additionally, the coalition called for the freezing of all accounts linked to Kwankwaso and his family pending the conclusion of investigations, as a gesture of accountability and restitution to the people of Kano State.
The letter concluded with a plea for the EFCC to uphold its mandate as an unbiased institution committed to combating corruption and restoring public trust in governance.
