Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Pierre Antoine
Kano, Nigeria — The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, formally handed over ₦387,483,488 to the Jigawa State Government. The funds, recovered from individuals accused of misappropriating public resources, were returned to the state in a ceremony held at the EFCC’s Kano office.
The payment was presented to Muhammad Haruna, Director of Treasury Operations for Jigawa State, in the presence of senior officials from both the anti-graft agency and the state government. The recovery follows an investigation prompted by intelligence from the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, which flagged suspicious financial activities involving public funds.
The probe led to the identification of two suspects, Abdullahi Garba and Ayuba Sani, believed to be involved in the alleged misappropriation. EFCC operatives in Kano launched an exhaustive investigation that culminated in the recovery of the ₦387 million, which had been diverted from state coffers.
Upon conclusion of the investigation, both suspects were arraigned before a court on charges relating to the misappropriation of public funds. Garba pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment in a judgment that underscored the courts’ support for anti‑corruption enforcement. Sani, the second suspect, is currently undergoing trial, with proceedings ongoing as the case continues through the judicial system.
During the handover, the Acting Zonal Director of the EFCC in Kano, Assistant Commander of the EFCC (ACE1) Friday S. Ebelo, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to pursuing corruption and returning stolen public resources for their intended developmental use.
“The EFCC remains resolute in its mandate to investigate and ensure the recovery of proceeds of crime,” Ebelo said. “We are committed to the delivery of justice to all victims of corruption, whether they are individuals or government institutions. This handover is a testament to our determination to ensure that funds meant for the development of the people are not diverted for personal use.”
ACE1 Ebelo emphasised that the recovery and repatriation of public funds to the Jigawa State Government demonstrate the agency’s proactive approach to countering financial crimes and restoring public resources to rightful ownership.
Receiving the bank draft, Haruna expressed gratitude to the EFCC for its diligence and professionalism throughout the investigation and recovery process. He described the return of the funds as a significant victory for the people of Jigawa State.
“We deeply appreciate the EFCC for its efforts in recovering this substantial amount of money for the people of Jigawa State,” Haruna said. “This recovery demonstrates the importance of the anti‑graft agency and its commitment to safeguarding public funds. The people of Jigawa are the ultimate beneficiaries of this recovery.”
The recovered sum, officials noted, will be reintegrated into the state’s accounts and is expected to be used for developmental programmes and services that benefit residents. Jigawa State government officials said transparent utilisation of the funds will be prioritised to ensure that the recovered resources are directed toward public infrastructure, healthcare, education, and other critical areas.
Stone Reporters note that the EFCC’s action in this case reflects an ongoing effort by Nigerian authorities to clamp down on high‑level financial crimes and hold public officials and private actors accountable for the misuse of state resources. The commission’s intelligence‑driven approach, in partnership with the NFIU and judicial authorities, highlights a broader strategy aimed at deterrence and restitution.
Anti‑corruption advocates have welcomed the development, saying the move reinforces confidence in institutional efforts to check corruption and recover stolen assets. However, they also urged sustained vigilance and broader reforms to strengthen fiscal oversight and prevent diversion of public funds in the first place.
As the legal process continues against Ayuba Sani and other suspected actors in similar cases, authorities have reiterated their commitment to upholding the rule of law while pursuing comprehensive accountability for financial offences across Nigeria.
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