CSOs Fault Petition Against Kogi Over Security Funds, Write ICPC

A coalition of civil society organisations has asked the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to dismiss a petition alleging the diversion of Kogi State security funds, arguing that the complaint is politically motivated and could undermine ongoing security operations.

The coalition, comprising the Centre for Public Integrity, Nigeria Integrity Watch, Northern Council of Nigeria, Nigeria Ethnic Nationality Forum and the Foundation for Democracy in Africa, made the request in a letter addressed to the Chairman of the ICPC and copied to several security and anti-corruption agencies.

The groups were reacting to a petition submitted on June 9, 2026, by the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and the Advocacy and Legal Advice Centre (ALAC), which called for an investigation into the management of funds allegedly linked to Kogi State security accounts.

According to the coalition, the allegations contained in the petition lack sufficient forensic evidence and could expose sensitive security operations to public scrutiny.

The letter noted that Kogi State occupies a strategic position in the country and faces security challenges that require intelligence-driven interventions, stressing that certain security-related expenditures are often confidential in nature.

The coalition argued that public disclosure of individuals, organisations and transactions allegedly connected to security operations could compromise intelligence gathering, surveillance activities and other security measures aimed at combating criminality.

It further alleged that the petition may have been influenced by political interests, claiming that some politicians dissatisfied with recent political developments were using civil society platforms to pursue personal and partisan objectives.

The groups warned the anti-corruption agency against allowing itself to be drawn into what they described as political disputes, insisting that any investigation must be guided strictly by verifiable facts and evidence.

They also referenced statements by officials of the Kogi State Government, who reportedly maintained that financial operations relating to security accounts were subject to legislative oversight and established accountability procedures.

In the petition, the group urged ICPC to reject the petition, caution civil society organisations against being used for political campaigns and protect confidential security expenditures from undue politicisation.

It also called on the commission to require the petitioners to substantiate their allegations through appropriate legal processes before any further action is taken.

The group maintained that the matter should be treated with caution because of its implications for national security and public confidence in anti-corruption institutions.

Signatories to the letter included Comrade Job Samuel Danfulani of the Centre for Public Integrity, Dr John Samuel Nangi of Nigeria Integrity Watch, Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim Sumaila of the Northern Council of Nigeria, Mallam Abdullahi Salisu of the Nigeria Ethnic Nationality Forum and Miss Hassana Mohammed of the Foundation for Democracy in Africa.