The chairman of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission, Muhyi Magaji Rimin Gado, has likened the fight against corruption in Nigeria to the violent campaign against Colombian drug cartels. Speaking at a public presentation in Lagos, Magaji described corrupt politicians as “cancerous ailments” that must be removed through a “painful but necessary surgical operation” for Nigeria to reclaim its pride.
Magaji’s comments come as the commission he leads prosecutes former Kano governor Abdullahi Ganduje over corruption allegations. The PCACC was established in 2005 to combat corruption in Kano State. Magaji alleged that his investigation into corruption petitions revealed that most companies involved in public-private partnerships in the state were linked to Ganduje, and that he uncovered billions of illicit funds related to the state’s Internally Generated Revenue.
The anti-corruption campaigner claimed that his decision to investigate the looting of public funds in Kano State has led to threats to his life and that of his family, culminating in his arrest by armed security agents last Friday. Magaji was detained for 17 hours, during which he endured harrowing experiences, including being bundled into a vehicle and sandwiched between armed policemen.
Magaji stressed that corruption cannot be fought effectively when law enforcement agents are compromised by corrupt politicians. He alleged that some policemen are being used against him by “powerful but stupendously corrupt politicians” who have no respect for accountability. The Kano PCACC chairman questioned the Nigeria Police Force’s decision to undertake a criminal investigation into a judicial process duly initiated under Section 211 of the Nigerian Constitution.
The public presentation, organized by the Human and Environmental Development Agenda Resource Centre, marked this year’s International Anti-Corruption Day celebration. The event highlighted the need for youth to unite against corruption and shape tomorrow’s integrity. Magaji’s experience in Kano has led him to conclude that corrupt politicians are “as vicious as the world’s most violent drug lords” and that Nigeria will not prosper as long as they dominate the political space.
The incident has raised concerns about the challenges faced by anti-corruption agencies in Nigeria and the need for greater accountability and transparency in governance. As the country continues to grapple with corruption, the role of agencies like the PCACC remains crucial in promoting integrity and good governance. The prosecution of high-profile corruption cases, including that of former Governor Ganduje, will be closely watched as a test of Nigeria’s commitment to fighting corruption.
