In fulfillment of his pledge to lead the fight against corruption from the front, the National Chairman Independent Corrupt Practices And Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, on Thursday was at a High Court in Kano State over issue of alleged diversion of funds by the State government through the 44 local government caretaker chairmen.
Recall that the 44 local government caretaker chairmen, including the commissioner for local government, who doubles as the deputy governor of Kano earlier obtained an interim order restraining the commission from further investigation, harassment or invitation by the anti graft agency over the alleged case.
The anti graft agency Boss, stated that he was primarily in Kano to honour his earlier promise of leading his men from the front to serve as a morale booster in the fight against corruption, considering the importance of the case at hand.
“These people are challenging our jurisdiction in investigating them, and went ahead to secure an order restricting us from further investigations, and also went ahead to file again for contempt of court.
“To us, the apex court had already ruled that there shall be nothing like caretaker chairmen across all local government areas in the country, except through democratically elected processes.
“As far as we are concerned, these people are imposters, and do not have legal right to sue the commission.I am here as a lawyer and the Chairman of ICPC to ensure the apex court order is enforced to the latter.
“We must not allow people to use the court to hide from their crimes”, he said.
Recall that there was an uproar in August over alleged fraudulent purchase of drugs by the state government through the 44 local government caretaker chairmen, which the state governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf denied its knowledge.
The counsel representing the applicant, Shamsudeen Ubale Jibril, particularly ministry for local government, ALGON and the 44 local government caretaker chairmen noted that the suit is for fundamental right, filed by all the applicants, against seven respondents, including ICPC.
He said the nature of the case is seek the interpretation of the court that it’s unlawful for seven agencies to investigate one matter, describing it as ‘forum shopping’ and ‘abuse of court process’.
He added that already, the Kano State anti graft agency had already launched investigation against the 44 local government chairmen, regarding the award of a contract, awarded to a particular company, without due process.
“We are here today to let the court know that the ICPC is disobeying the earlier injunction restraining it from further investigation, harassment or invitation as it concerns the matter.