CISLAC signs MOU with Kano anti-graft agency on assets tracking, recovery

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Kano Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) to ensure asset tracking and recovery in the state.

CISLAC and PCACC signed the MoU on Thursday at the commission’s headquarters in Kano.

Auwal Rafsanjani, CISLAC’s executive director, said the MoU was signed to strengthen the fight against corrupt practices and consolidate the gains of the anticorruption agency on transparency and attainment of sustainable development goals.

He added that the objective also includes collaboration to ensure that whistleblowers are protected using available channels and legal frameworks in the absence of a clear legal framework and public procurement transparency in governance.

Rafsanjani said CISLAC/TI-Nigeria has been working in the past 20 years with the executive, legislature, civil society, communities, and the media in Kano state.

“We appreciate the effort of the Kano state Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission in promoting transparency and accountability in the state to deliver good governance and ensure quality service delivery to the people of the state. CISLAC recognises Kano as a strategic state in our work,” he said.

He lauded the commission’s numerous achievements under the leadership of Muhuyi Rimingado, despite various challenges to prevent the fight against corruption.

’CISLAC acknowledged some very laudable initiatives despite the numerous challenges that the commission is facing, including threats to your life and the commission staff,” Rafsanjani said.

“To be specific, under your leadership, we recognise and appreciate the noble initiative initiated to improve the commission.

“Again, under your leadership, the commission established an institute (anti-corruption institute) with the mandate for continuous staff training for the commission.

“The institute is also mandated to educate the public on the concept and objectives of anti-corruption and conduct research on sociological and psychological aspects of corruption issues, such as trends and behavioural and attitudinal changes towards corruption.

“Under your watch, the commission has established transparency and accountability units in all its MDAs.

“The commission, in the spirit of global best practice, has signed up to the open government partnership (OGP) to ensure transparency and accountability in state government affairs.”

Rimingado appreciated the support and collaboration of Rafsanjani, who he said has always been standing by the commission in the fight against corruption in the face of several challenges.

“CISLAC is a consistent voice whenever we run into obstacles in the discharge of our legally mandated duties of fighting corruption and ensuring accountability and transparency,” he said.

“You see, fighting corruption is not easy, especially when it involves politically exposed people. Among such situations is the ongoing legal battle the commission is presently fighting with a politically exposed person who allegedly misappropriated funds to the tune of over N4 billion.

“Despite the fact that the matter is in court with an order restraining the defendants from taking over the confiscated property pending the determination of the suit, they still employed different tactics, even with the use of law enforcement agents to harass me personally.

“When I was unlawfully arrested and detained over this issue by the police while carrying out my duties as chairman of the commission, CISLAC was there for us, lending voice to the ultra-vice action of the police until I was released.

“And in several other instances of corruption fighting back, CISLAC was always at the forefront with all the needed support to ensure our duties were discharged without hindrance.

“The public has a lot of confidence in us to resolve issues affecting them with utmost fairness and honesty in the discharge of our responsibilities.

“We sincerely appreciate the signing of this MoU with CISLAC, which will strengthen the fight against corruption and support our transparency and accountability pursuit.”