ICPC Secures Court Order to Freeze N1.1bn Diverted from Kano Federation Account

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ICPC Secures Court Order to Freeze N1.1bn Diverted from Kano Federation Account

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday ordered the interim forfeiture of N1.1 billion allegedly withdrawn illegally from the Kano State Federation Account and held with the United Bank for Africa (UBA).

The order, delivered by Justice Emeka Nwite, followed an ex-parte application by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), represented by Oluwafunke Bada. The judge held that the motion was meritorious and granted the interim forfeiture, directing its publication in a national daily to allow any interested party to appear before the court to contest the forfeiture.

The case, FHC/ABJ/CS/2634/2025, lists the Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN) and the recovered N1,109,230,000 in the ICPC Recovery Account. The suit, filed on December 8, 2025, arises from Petition ICPC/P/NC/564/2024, which alleged that N2.3 billion was withdrawn in cash from the Kano State Federation Account for purposes unrelated to government business.

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Investigation by the ICPC revealed that on November 9, 2023, the Accountant-General of Kano State, Abdulkadir Abdulsalam, authorised payments totaling N1.17 billion to two Bureau de Change companies, Namu Na Kune Global Resources Ltd and Kazo Nazo Global Concept, purportedly for the supply of diesel. However, the managing directors of two oil companies involved—A.Y. Maikifi Oil & Gas Ltd and Ammas Petroleum Company Ltd—stated that the contracts were fictitious and no supplies were delivered.

Further inquiries showed that the funds were converted into $1 million and allegedly handed over to Abdullahi Ibrahim Rogo, Director of Protocol of the Kano State Government House, through an intermediary. The ICPC successfully recovered N1,109,230,000 from the companies in two instalments in February and March 2025.

Justice Nwite adjourned the matter until January 21, 2026, for a report of compliance, while the forfeiture order serves to preserve the recovered funds and allow interested parties to come forward.