An internationally recognized Civil Society Organization (CSO), Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission to ensure asset tracking and recovery as it affects Kano State.

The MoU include 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.

Speaking at the event, CISLAC Executive Director, Comrade Auwal Ibrahim Musa Rafsanjani said in the last 20 years, CISLAC/TI-Nigeria has been working with the Executives, Legislature, Civil Society, Communities and the Media in Kano state, especially in the areas of maternal and child health, Child and Family Health, Childhood Nutrition, Early Warning and Early Response, Democratic Governance, Institutional Capacity Building, Social Inclusion, Community sensitization on Population Planning for development.

”We appreciate the effort of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) in promoting transparency and accountability in the state to deliver good governance and ensure quality service delivery to the people of the state. CISLAC recognizes Kano as a strategic state in our work, ‘’Rafsanjani said.

He lauded the commission’s numerous achievements under the leadership of Barr. Muhuyi Magaji Rimingado, despite various challenges to prevent the fight against corruption that include the formulation of a robust strategic plan, the Kano State Anticorruption Strategy and developing a comprehensive operation guideline for MDAs and established offices in all the 44 local government areas of the state.

‘’CISLAC acknowledged some very laudable initiatives despite the numerous challenges that the commission is facing, including threats to your life and the commission staff. To the specific, under your leadership, we recognize and appreciate the noble initiative initiated to improve the commission,’’ Rafsanjani said.

‘’Again, under your leadership, the commission established an institute (Anticorruption 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, conduct research on sociological and psychological aspects of corruption issues, such as trends, behavioral 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.

According to Rafsanjani, ‘’I will want to use this opportunity to urge other states to emulate and under study Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission that is not only fighting corruption at the subnational level like the EFCC and ICPC but also preventing crime with strategies put in place.’’

On his part, Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption, Barr Muhuyi Magaji Rimingado, appreciated the support and collaboration of CISLAC Executive Director, Auwal Ibrahim Musa Rafsanjani, who 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, ‘’PCACC Executive Chairman 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 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 several other instances of corruption fighting back, CISLAC was always at the forefront with all the needed support to ensure our duties are discharged without hindrance.’’

According to the anti-graft agency boss, despite the many challenges, the commission has recorded successes to the extent that apart from fighting corruption at all levels in the state, its responsibilities as ombudsman has assisted in resolving many cases amicably.

‘’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,’’ PCACC Executive Chairman noted.

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