According to a report by Premium Times, the Federal High Court sitting in Kano has dismissed a suit filed by a group of clerics seeking to stop the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from inviting or interrogating them over an alleged ₦3.5 billion land deal. Justice Musa Shuaibu held that the anti-graft agency is empowered by law to probe criminal allegations, and no citizen or religious group can shield themselves from lawful investigation.
Key Ruling Highlights
Justice Musa Shuaibu ruled that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was within its constitutional powers to invite and investigate the clerics over the alleged land deal. He dismissed the fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by the clerics, describing it as both baseless and premature, particularly since they had yet to honour the EFCC’s initial invitation. As a further consequence, the court imposed a ₦250,000 fine on the clerics for wasting its time and that of the anti-graft agency.
“No one, no matter their title or position, can place themselves beyond the reach of lawful investigation.”
Details of the Allegation
The disputed land, located along Ahmadu Bello Way in Nasarawa GRA, Kano, was originally allocated in 1995 by the late military administrator Abdullahi Wase for the establishment of Musabaƙa Village — a Qur’anic competition centre complete with residential quarters, a mosque, and training facilities.
Petitioners, including members of the Incorporated Trustees of the Musabaqah Association, alleged that the land was abandoned for over two decades before being sold in 2022 by a self-appointed group of clerics for ₦400 million — a fraction of its ₦3.5 billion estimated value — to Nata’ala Properties and Investment Company Ltd.
Clerics Named in the Petition
Several clerics were named in the petition filed with the EFCC as allegedly participating in the contentious land deal. Those named include Ibrahim Shehu-Maihula, Gwani Yahuza-Danzarga, Aliyu Harazimi, Tijjani Bala-Kalarawi, Sa’idu Muhammad-Koki, Ado Shehu-Maibargo, Abdu Muhammad-Dutse, Abubakar Aliyu-Darma, Ahmad Tijjani-Yusuf, Tijjani Mailafiya-Sanka, Sabiu Bako, and Muhammad Tukur-Gadanya.
In August 2023, a widely reported exposé on the well-known radio show Rigar Kaya heightened public interest in the case, drawing more attention to the contentious land sale and leading to the official involvement of the EFCC.
What’s Next?
The EFCC is now expected to invite the clerics for questioning and review the details of the land sale transaction. Further legal action may follow based on the agency’s findings.
