Isiyaku Ahmed
The Kano Patriotic Civil Society Coalition Forum (KPCF), a coalition of over 300 civil society organizations, has congratulated Barrister Hafsat Ada’u Kutama on her appointment as Acting Chairperson of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC).
KPCF in a statement jointly signed and issued on Wednesday by its Convener, Hassan Ibrahim Gama, and Co-Conveners Mustapha Muhammed Chiroma and Peter Hassan Tijani, said Kutama’s experience as Secretary of the Commission and a legal practitioner gave her the institutional knowledge and expertise needed to reposition the agency.
It urged the acting chairperson to wage a fearless and impartial war against corruption, regardless of the political status or position of those involved.
KPCF also called for investigations into cases involving government agencies, local governments and private individuals suspected of diverting public resources.
The Forum further urged Kutama to restore public confidence in the Commission by strengthening complaint channels across the 44 local government areas, protecting whistleblowers and ensuring the speedy resolution of cases.
KPCF called for stronger collaboration between PCACC and agencies including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), as well as civil society organisations.
It also asked the Commission to prioritise cases affecting ordinary citizens, including alleged diversion of fertiliser, drug shortages in hospitals, school feeding funds, pension fraud and land administration abuses.
The Forum pledged to support public sensitisation, civic education, community monitoring and evidence-based petitions, while also promoting whistleblower protection and supporting victims of administrative injustice.
It commended Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for appointing a woman to lead the Commission, describing the decision as an opportunity to strengthen women’s participation in governance.
KPCF, however, said its support for the new leadership would be constructive, stressing that it would also hold the Commission accountable to its mandate.
