The League of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Kano State has raised alarm over what it described as threats, intimidation, and harassment of its members following their recent call for the suspension of public officials accused of corruption.
On Saturday, the league urged the Kano State Government to suspend indicted officials pending the conclusion of ongoing investigations.
The League said the measure was necessary to protect the integrity of governance and restore public confidence in the administration.
According to the League of CSOs, its demand for accountability has since triggered a wave of reprisals against its members.
“Some of our members have come under intense pressure, harassment, and outright threats from influential individuals and vested interests determined to silence our voice,” the League alleged in a statement on Monday.
Other parts of the statement read;
It is pertinent to recall that in July, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) concluded investigations into an alleged N1.02 billion money laundering scheme involving the Chairman of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC), Sani Lawan Malumfashi, the Commission’s Secretary, Anas Mustapha, and a Deputy Director, Ado Garba.
According to the ICPC, the officials diverted funds from the Commission’s account to a private company under the pretext of paying ad hoc electoral staff, despite banks having already handled the disbursement.
Barely a month later, another scandal broke involving the Director General of Protocol at Government House, Abdullahi Ibrahim-Rogo, who was accused of siphoning N6.5 billion through proxies and bureau de change operators.
Both the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and ICPC alleged that Mr. Rogo used firms, including H&M Nigeria Limited, A.Y. Maikifi Petroleum, and Ammas Oil and Gas Limited, to launder funds through fictitious contracts.
It was against these backdrops that the League of Civil Society Organizations in Kano State, in line with its responsibility as the watchdog of society, demanded the suspension of the affected officials to preserve public confidence in government.
Regrettably, since the release of that statement, some of our members have come under intense pressure, harassment, and outright threats from influential individuals and vested interests determined to silence our collective voice.
In fact, two members of our coalition, after sustained intimidation of their families and relatives, were coerced into issuing disclaimers and withdrawing their earlier stance.
This worrisome development clearly points to an orchestrated attempt to weaken civil society’s role as watchdogs of democracy and accountability in Kano State.
Even more troubling are credible reports that certain powerful individuals, dissatisfied with our principled position, are now resorting to manufacturing sinister measures to clamp down on us.
These measures include the use of state apparatus to intimidate our organizations, aimed at distracting and silencing the leading voices in our coalition.
We therefore wish to state categorically that:
- Any harm, harassment, or intimidation meted out to any of our members or their families should be traced directly to these individuals and their collaborators within the system. We hold the Police, Department of State Services (DSS), and other security agencies in Kano and at the federal level fully responsible for the safety of our members.
- Our call for accountability remains unwavering. Demanding the suspension of indicted officials is not a witch-hunt but a universally accepted governance practice in line with the principles of the rule of law, public trust, and administrative fairness. Allowing such officials to remain in office during investigations undermines credibility, compromises due process, and erodes public confidence in the administration.
- Civil society organizations will not be cowed. The bedrock of democracy is the ability of citizens and civic groups to hold leaders accountable without fear of persecution. Any attempt to criminalize legitimate civic engagement sets a dangerous precedent that endangers both democracy and social justice in Kano State.
- We reaffirm our commitment to transparency and accountability. Our advocacy is not targeted at individuals but at promoting a culture of good governance, where public office is treated as a trust, not a privilege.
We therefore call on:
- Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to reassure the public by ensuring that those officials who are accused of corruption step aside until cleared.
- Security agencies (Police, DSS, Civil Defence, etc.) to act proactively in shielding CSO leaders from intimidation, harassment, and harm.
- The media and the Nigerian public to stand in solidarity with us in this difficult moment, as an attack on one civic voice is an attack on all who value democracy and accountability.
- The international community and human rights organizations to take note of these threats, as shrinking civic space in Kano undermines broader democratic governance and citizens’ welfare.
Above all, the people of Kano deserve a government they can trust, one that is transparent, accountable, and responsive to their needs. As CSOs, our responsibility is to ensure that trust is upheld, regardless of intimidation or smear campaigns.
We restate unequivocally: No amount of threat, coercion, or blackmail will deter us from standing for the truth, defending the public interest, and ensuring a better Kano.
Endorsed by:
1. Comrade Bala Abdullahi Gaduwama – Wuro Development Concerns (WDCN)
2. Yusha’u Sani Yankuzo, Esq. – Centre for Human Rights and Social Advancement (CEFSAN)
3. Mohammed Bello – African Centre for Innovative Research and Development (Afri-CIRD)
4. Abdulkadir Musa Hausawa – Youth Enlightenment Forum
5. Adeniyi Aremu – Civil Society Organization for Conflict Resolution in Nigeria (CS-CRIN)
6. Comrade Fatima A. Ibrahim – United Action for Democracy (UAD), Kano State
7. Umar Ibrahim Umar – War Against Injustice (WAI)
8. Abba Bello Ahmed – Campaign for Democracy (CD), Kano State
9. Comrade Idris Ibrahim Unguwar Gini – Kano Youth Promotion Council
10. Comrade Moh’d Sani Garba – Pay it Forward Initiative
11. Fatima Muhammad – Gender Inclusive and Development Support Initiative, Kano
12. Aminu Sani Muhammad, Esq. – Rule of Law and Justice Advancement Network (ROLJAN)
13. Comrade M. K. Adam – Societal Based Initiative for Rights Peace and Development (SOBIRPED)
14. Buhari Abubakar Usman – Centre for Legal Orientation and Humanitarian Aid (CELOHA)
15. Abdullahi Yahaya, Esq. – Publish What You Pay (PWYP), Kano State
16. Hafiz A. Wali, Esq. – Rise Up Youth Initiative (RUYI)
17. Comrade Auwal Salisu – Centre for Awareness Reorientation and Empowerment (CARE-Africa)
18. Umar Isa Sulaiman, Esq. – Frontier for Gender Advocacy, Accountability & Empowerment Initiative
19. Maryam Garba Usman – Centre for Gender and Social Inclusion (CAGSI)
20. Fatima Chabir Aliyu, Esq. – Community Based Equal Justice Initiative
