The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has secured a significant legal victory as the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, presided over by Hon. Justice Josephine Obanor, dismissed a suit seeking to restrain the commission from performing its statutory investigative functions.
The case arose from a petition alleging financial irregularities in the administration of scholarship funds in Kano State. During its probe, ICPC invited officials from the Kano State Ministry of Higher Education and the Kano State Scholarship Board to provide documents and clarifications.
Instead of complying, the applicants, led by the Permanent Secretary of the Kano State Ministry of Higher Education, Dr. Hadi Bala, filed Suit No. CV/2857/2025 against the Attorney-General of the Federation and ICPC, claiming that the invitations violated their fundamental rights.
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Delivering judgement, Justice Obanor ruled that the officials of the Kano State Scholarship Board be properly joined as parties, while the AGF was struck out as unnecessary. The court held that ICPC’s invitation for investigative purposes does not amount to a violation of fundamental rights.
“The applicants failed to show any breach of their rights,” the judge stated, affirming that the ICPC cannot be restrained from carrying out its lawful duties. Consequently, the suit was dismissed for lack of merit.
ICPC spokesperson, Demola Bakare, said the ruling strengthens the commission’s authority to investigate alleged corruption and financial misconduct. He added, “The ICPC remains committed to transparency, accountability, and justice in Nigeria’s public sector, and will continue to operate under due process and the rule of law.”
