Civil Society Organizations in Kano, under the banner of the Forum of Kano Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) Against Corruption, on Thursday staged a solidarity walk in the state capital, demanding accountability, justice, and transparency in governance.
The protest, attended by activists, community leaders, and concerned citizens, was a show of support for Nigeria’s anti-graft agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Addressing journalists, the Forum said the demonstration was a clear message to anti-corruption bodies to “stand firm, remain resolute, and resist intimidation.”
Allegations of Grand Corruption
The CSOs decried what they described as “endemic corruption” in Kano, citing recent revelations by EFCC and ICPC.
They alleged that the Director General of Protocol in the Kano State Government, Abdullahi Rogo, diverted N6.5 billion belonging to the people of Kano.
Although N1.2 billion has reportedly been recovered, the Forum accused the state government of engaging in denial and propaganda to downplay the scandal.
The group also listed other alleged cases of corruption under the current administration, including:
- Diversion of federal government palliatives, with food items reportedly traced to private warehouses belonging to senior officials and political aides.
- The Novomed drug scandal, where billions of naira were paid for drugs that were never supplied to local government councils.
- Alleged mismanagement of agricultural and rural development contracts under the Acrisal project.
- Diversion of funds meant for the N50,000 Women’s Cash Support Scheme.
- Alleged fraud in metropolitan road projects worth over N4 billion, reduced to shoddy asphalt overlays.
- Diversion and resale of federal food relief items in private warehouses.
“Enough is Enough”
The Forum declared that the resources of Kano belong to its citizens, not a political clique. It argued that the diverted ₦6.5 billion could have provided clean water across the state’s 44 LGAs, rehabilitated schools, funded public examinations, built hospitals, and improved roads and security infrastructure.
Key Demands
The group outlined its demands as follows:
- Full investigation and prosecution of all corruption cases by EFCC and ICPC without fear or favour.
- Recovery of all looted funds and their transparent use for public projects.
- An independent probe by the Kano State House of Assembly.
- Judicial impartiality in corruption cases.
- An end to the harassment of journalists and civil society activists in the state.
Citizens Called to Action
The Forum urged the people of Kano to unite against corruption, insisting the campaign was not about political parties but about “survival, justice, and the future of our children.”
“The people of Kano must rise and defend their rights,” the Forum declared. “Corruption is killing Kano, and we cannot afford to remain silent.”
