By Daniel Edu
A directive from the Kano High Court has instructed three federal investigative bodies to suspend their inquiries into the actions of Muhuyi Rimingado, the Chairman of the Kano Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC).
The three agencies in question are the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), and the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).
Previously, both the EFCC and CCB had separately summoned the PCACC and its officials to provide answers regarding the commission’s activities dating back to 2011.
In response to these summonses, the Kano state government took the Federal Government to court, alleging that the EFCC and CCB were engaging in harassment and intimidation of PCACC officials.
In a unilateral court ruling, delivered by Justice Farouk Adamu on Monday, the presiding judge ordered the federal agencies and their representatives to refrain from interrogating or scrutinizing PCACC officials.
The court additionally mandated these agencies to desist from interfering in the operations of the anti-corruption agency. All parties involved in the case were advised to maintain the existing state of affairs.
Following the court’s decision, Muhuyi Rimingado asserted that no level of defamation, intimidation, or character assassination would dissuade the commission from fulfilling its legal responsibilities.
He declared, “The recent attempts to intimidate and defame the commission are orchestrated by individuals with their own misdeeds to hide. We shall not take shortcuts and will unwaveringly uphold the principles of the rule of law. Our commitment to eradicating corruption among public officials in the state remains steadfast.”