Justice Josephine Obanor of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), sitting at Jabi, Abuja, has affirmed the powers of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate scholarship funds in Kano State.

Officials from the Kano State Ministry of Higher Education, led by the Permanent Secretary, Dr Hadi Bala, and those from the Kano State Scholarship Board, had dragged the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and the ICPC before the court, alleging that invitations sent to them by the commission violated their fundamental rights.

Their invitation, which requested that the officials provide documents and clarification on allegations against them, was part of the ICPC’s investigation into a petition received by the commission, alleging financial impropriety in the administration of scholarship funds in the state.

Delivering judgment in the case brought before the court in the suit marked FCT/HC/CV/2857/2025, the judge upheld the power of the anti-graft agency to carry out its statutory mandate of investigation.
Justice Obanor held that an invitation letter from ICPC for investigative purposes does not constitute a breach of fundamental rights.

The court further held that the plaintiffs/applicants failed to show any violation of their rights and reaffirmed that ICPC cannot be restrained from performing its lawful duty of investigation.

It ordered that officials of the Kano State Scholarship Board be properly joined as parties in the suit, while the Attorney-General of the Federation be struck out as a party, holding that his joinder was unnecessary.
The judge consequently dismissed the suit for lack of merit.

Meanwhile, ICPC’s Director of Public Enlightenment and Education, who also doubles as the commission’s spokesperson, Demola Bakare, in a statement on Tuesday, reacted to the judgment, stating that it reinforced the anti-corruption commission’s authority to investigate cases of alleged corruption and financial misconduct.

He said, “This ruling reinforces the commission’s authority to investigate cases of alleged corruption and financial misconduct in line with its statutory mandate.

“The ICPC reiterates its unwavering commitment to transparency, accountability, and justice in Nigeria’s public sector, assuring Nigerians that due process and the rule of law will continue to guide its operations.”