Key Takeaways:
- Federal High Court grants interim forfeiture as part of a Kano State fund forfeiture case involving N1.109bn recovered by the ICPC.
- The ICPC alleges the funds were diverted via payments to two BDC firms following letters of authority tied to oil companies.
- The court ordered publication for interested parties to show cause and adjourned the matter to 21 January 2026.
- The action is seen as a constructive step for public accountability and financial governance.
Court Orders Interim Forfeiture of N1.1bn Linked to Kano State Funds
The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted an interim forfeiture order for N1,109,230,000 that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission says was unlawfully moved from the Kano State Federation Account. Justice Emeka Nwite made the order on Tuesday after the ICPC applied ex parte, directing that the funds be preserved pending further hearing.
Kano State fund forfeiture and the court’s directions
The judge found the application meritorious and ordered that notice of the forfeiture be published in a national newspaper, inviting any interested party to appear and show cause why the money should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government. The matter was adjourned to 21 January 2026 for a report of compliance with the publication order.
The suit, filed by an ICPC assistant director, lists the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the exact sum held in an ICPC recovery account. The commission says the money was recovered during an investigation arising from Petition Number ICPC/P/NC/564/2024 and is reasonably suspected to be the proceeds of unlawful activities.
Allegations and investigation findings
According to the affidavit sworn by an anti-corruption assistant at the ICPC, concerned citizens of Kano State lodged a petition alleging that N2.3 billion was withdrawn in cash from the state federation account and used for purposes unrelated to government business. Investigation revealed that on 9 November 2023 the state Accountant-General authorised payments totalling N1.17 billion to two bureau de change companies, Namu Na Kune Global Resources Ltd and Kazo Nazo Global Concept.
The ICPC says the payments were made following letters of authority presented as emanating from two oil companies, A. Y. Maikifi Oil & Gas Ltd and Ammas Petroleum Company Ltd, which purportedly requested payments for diesel supplies. The managing directors of those oil firms told investigators the letters were signed at the request of the Accountant-General and that no such contracts or supplies ever existed.
Investigators allege the funds were converted into cash, with one million US dollars handed to intermediaries for delivery to a government official in Kano. The ICPC reports it has recovered N1,109,230,000 of the N1.17 billion paid by the state, taken in two instalments on 27 February and 21 March.
Implications for accountability and governance
Legal steps to secure and recover public funds are frequently framed as measures to strengthen transparency and restore assets to public coffers. The interim forfeiture order preserves the disputed funds while the court gives the public an opportunity to challenge the forfeiture before a final order may be made.
The ICPC’s application requests publication of the forfeiture order so any person with an interest in the funds can come forward. If the interim order becomes final, the money will be forfeited to the Federal Government. The case will be watched closely by stakeholders concerned with public financial management and the rule of law in Nigeria.
The court will receive a report of compliance with the publication order at the next hearing in January 2026, after which further proceedings will determine whether the forfeiture is confirmed.
