The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and the National Chapter of Transparency International (TI) in Nigeria has expressed concern over the unlawful suspension of the Kano Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission Chairman, Muhuyi Magaji Rimingado, by the State House of Assembly based on an allegation of insurbordination.
According to the Executive Director, Auwal Ibrahim Musa Rafsanjani in a statement in Abuja called for the independence of anti-corruption institutions and more accountability at subnational levels, this sends another concern about the state’s commitments to combat corruption.“We are disappointed at the self-serving position of the State Assembly—which has the fundamental mandate to protect and allow citizens’ interest to prevail in its legislative activities, flouting provisions of the rule of law and procedures.“This combined with other reported cases involving outright disregards for the rule of Law and procedures raises public concerns on the level of credibility, integrity and independence maintains by Kano State House of Assembly especially.
“The provisions of Sections 6 of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (Amendment) Law 2010, gives only the Governor the power to remove the Chairman or any member of the Commission, while acting upon a resolution supported by the State Assembly on the inability to discharge effectively the functions of his office or for any other reason.“We are not unaware that suspension of Magaji has been triggered by the reported undemocratic political attempt instigated by some politicians to undermine independence and integrity of the Commission; and his earlier rejection of an illegally-driven direct posting of staff from the Office of Kano State Accountant General; as against Section 15(1)(g-h) of the Law establishing the Commission, which enshrines such within the functions of the Commission; and the provision of Section 8, stating that “In exercising its powers under the Law, the Commission shall not be subjected to the direction and Control of any authority.
”“While we have been following with keen interest the competence, commitment, and progress of the commission in the war against corruption and injustice that have continued to yield appreciable impact in the state, we observed from the politically motivated suspension, effort to divert the Commission’s attention and frighten its operatives from the progressive struggles at digging deep into- and uprooting major corruption cases in the state.“We are disturbed that despite various pledges and effort by the present administration to combat corruption at all levels, Anti-Corruption operatives and institutions are seriously endangered and sabotaged at sub-national level with deeply rooted political resistance and unchecked display of rascality.
“We, therefore, call on the Kano State House of Assembly to redeem its integrity and reconsider its decision on Magaji’s suspension. The failure of the Kano State Assembly to retract the suspension would have grave consequences and indeed backpedal the state progress in the Anti-Corruption fight and pave way for a bad precedent.The Programme Manager of CLEEN Foundation, Ruth Olofin at the just concluded meeting of FCT command community poli
