The Director-General of Protocol to the Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Rogo, has been implicated in a N6.5 billion corruption scandal currently under investigation by Nigeria’s foremost anti-graft agencies, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Investigators allege that Rogo diverted state funds through suspicious companies, bureau de change operators, and personal accounts. ICPC documents show that over N1.3 billion has already been recovered, including monies traced to corporate fronts and his private accounts.
Court-Ordered Forfeiture
On 2 July 2025, the Federal High Court in Kano ordered the final forfeiture of N142 million linked to Rogo. The sum had earlier been placed under interim forfeiture in May, following an ex parte motion by the ICPC. With no claimant stepping forward, the court ruled the funds were proceeds of corruption.
But investigators insist this represents only a fraction of the illicit transactions traced to the governor’s aide.
Complex Money Trails
The ICPC identified companies allegedly used as laundering fronts, including H&M Nigeria Limited, A.Y. Maikifi Petroleum, and Ammas Oil and Gas Limited. According to investigators, A.Y. Maikifi Petroleum and Ammas Oil diverted N1.17 billion, laundered through bureau de change operators and allegedly delivered in cash to Rogo.
One account at Alternative Bank, opened in the name of AH Bello Business Solutions Ltd., reportedly served as a private laundering channel. Between August 2024 and February 2025, it recorded inflows of N3.07 billion and outflows of N2.6 billion before the N142.2 million balance was seized by court order.
Rogo’s Zenith Bank accounts were also flagged: one personal account received N2.28 billion in inflows over three years, while another corporate account recorded N54.1 million. Both have since been frozen under “Post No Debit” restrictions.
Legal Counterattack
In February 2025, Rogo filed a suit at the Kano State High Court (Bichi Division) accusing ICPC and EFCC of harassment, intimidation, and double jeopardy. He argued that repeated invitations from the two agencies violated his rights and disrupted his official duties. He sought N20 million in damages, N2 million in costs, and an injunction restraining further investigations.
Both ICPC and EFCC opposed the suit, arguing that their actions were lawful and within their statutory mandates. They stressed that double jeopardy applies only to trial, not investigations.
However, on 18 August 2025, Justice Musa Ahmad ruled in favour of Rogo, restraining the agencies from further investigating him and awarding N2 million in costs. The judge held that, while his rights had not yet been violated, the overlapping invitations created a likelihood of breach.
The ICPC has vowed to appeal, describing the judgment as a setback in the fight against corruption.
