COALITION of civil society organisations in Kano on Thursday staged a solidarity walk against what they described as “the alarming harvest of corruption scandals” in the state, demanding transparency, accountability, and justice.
Operating under the umbrella of the Forum of Kano Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) Against Corruption, the protesters marched through key streets of Kano, brandishing placards and chanting slogans that called for an end to graft and support for anti-corruption agencies.
In a joint statement signed by leaders of several civic groups, the CSOs declared that corruption was “killing Kano” and vowed to resist attempts by politicians to intimidate or discredit the ongoing investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
“We stand united because corruption is killing Kano. Public trust has been betrayed, billions have been siphoned, and the people continue to suffer while a few individuals enrich themselves,” the forum declared.
The immediate trigger for the protest was the revelation that Abdullahi Rogo, Director General of Protocol in the Kano State Government, allegedly diverted ₦6.5 billion of public funds.
The ICPC has reportedly recovered ₦1.2 billion, but the protesters accused the state government of “engaging in propaganda and denial,” rather than confronting the scandal head-on.
The groups noted that between 2023 and 2025, Kano State received over ₦445 billion in federal allocations, yet the state remained plagued with dilapidated schools, ill-equipped hospitals, poor infrastructure, and widespread poverty.
Beyond the protocol office scandal, the CSOs highlighted several other high-profile cases of alleged fraud and diversion of public resources:
A – Palliative Diversion: Trucks of rice, maize, and fertilizer meant for the poor were allegedly found in private warehouses linked to government officials, including a private school owned by the Chief of Staff, Shehu Wada Sagagi.
B – Novomed Drug Scandal: A multi-billion-naira contract for drug supply to 38 LGAs was allegedly paid in full, but no drugs were delivered. Investigations reportedly uncovered collusion between contractors, ministry officials, and local government leaders.
C- ACRISAL Contract Fraud: Hundreds of millions were said to be lost in inflated agricultural and rural development projects.
D – N50,000 Women’s Cash Scheme: Funds intended for rural women were allegedly diverted, with many beneficiaries excluded or shortchanged.
E – Road Reconstruction Projects: Contracts worth over ₦4 billion for metropolitan roads were allegedly reduced to shoddy asphalt overlays, raising suspicions of inflated costs and kickbacks.
F – Food Aid Diversion: Federal government relief materials were allegedly hoarded in private warehouses, with one aide to the Secretary to the State Government, Tasiu Al’amin Roba, accused of rebranding and reselling food meant for the poor.
The groups lamented that the resources allegedly stolen could have transformed critical sectors of the state.
According to them, the recovered funds could have:
1. Provided potable water across the 44 LGAs.
2. Rehabilitated schools, reopened technical colleges, and funded WAEC/NECO/JAMB exams for students.
3. Built and equipped modern hospitals in underserved areas.
4. Upgraded roads, flyovers, and urban security infrastructure to curb rising crime.
The Forum issued a list of demands targeted at government institutions:
1. Commend EFCC and ICPC but urge them to resist inducements and political interference.
2. Ensure the recovery and transparent use of all looted funds.
3. Demand that the Kano State House of Assembly set up a probe panel to investigate the scandals.
4. Call on the judiciary to act fairly and avoid rulings that frustrate anti-graft cases.
5. Condemn harassment of journalists and activists, warning that silencing dissent is “an assault on democracy.”
The protest ended with a rallying cry to ordinary Kano residents to rise above partisan politics and defend their rights against corruption.
“This is not about party lines; it is about survival, justice, and the future of our children. Together, we say: Kano Money for Kano People! No to Corruption! Accountability Now!”
The declaration was signed by prominent civic leaders including:
• Aliyu Adamu – Centre for Grassroots Development and Crime Prevention
• Comrade Auwal Shaibu – Kano Youth Empowerment for Good Governance Forum
• Ambassador Muhammad B. Said – Centre for Strategic Conflict Management
• Alhassan Adamu – Arewa Initiative for Sustainable Development and Humanitarian Services
• Ambassador Abdullahi Muhammad – Initiative for Concerned Citizens Against Drug Abuse and Community Awareness
• Comrade Bashir Mahmud
The protest marks one of the strongest civil society pushbacks against corruption in Kano in recent years, amplifying pressure on anti-graft agencies and state institutions to act decisively.
