Court Restrains Jigawa Govt On Investigating Alleged N1.7 billion J- CARES Scandal

Court Restrains Jigawa Govt On Investigating Alleged N1.7 billion J- CARES Scandal

By Salisu K Ismail 

An interim injunction has been issued by the Federal Higher Court located in Kano State, restraining the Jigawa state government from proceeding with the investigation regarding the alleged misappropriation of N1.7 billion designated for the COVID-19 Economic Recovery and Stimulation Programme (J-CARES) Result Area II under the FADAMA project. 

This injunction was granted, Thursday, following a lawsuit filed by the former Coordinator of FADAMA III in Jigawa State, Alhaji Aminu Isa Ringim, contesting the procedures adopted by the government committee tasked with evaluating the implementation of the J-CARES FADAMA intervention in the state.

Mr. Aminu Ringim requested the court to issue an injunction preventing the Jigawa state government from using the reports until he has been granted a fair hearing.

Following the proceedings, the Judge, Justice Isa Liman issued an interim injunction restraining the Defendant/Respondent from publishing, gazetting, taking any action, or issuing a "White Paper" based on the committee report. 

The Judge emphasized that, these restrictions must be adhered to until the court makes a decision regarding the fair hearing and other issues raised by the complainant.

It's recalled that, in the context of the order given by the Jigawa state governor Malam Umar Namadi months back to conduct a thorough investigation into the Implementation of the J-CARES FADAMA intervention regarding the purported misappropriation of the funds allocated to the sector. 

When contacted, the Attorney General of Jigawa State, Barrister Bello Abdulkadir Fanini, conveyed that, they have not yet been served with the temporary injunction.

He mentioned that, as usual the injunction is limited to one week and assured that upon receipt, they will carefully examine it and respond accordingly.