Author name: Umar Idris Shuaibu

The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission has recovered official vehicles from commissioners who voluntarily resigned from the state executive council. The recovery exercise, carried out by operatives of the commission on Thursday, followed the alleged continued refusal of the affected commissioners to return the government property. The concerned persons are Air Vice Marshal Ibrahim Umar (retd), former Commissioner for Internal Security; Mustapha Rabi’u Kwankwaso, former Commissioner for Youth and Sports; Dr. Yusuf Ibrahim Kofar Mata, former Commissioner for Science and Technology; Dr. Adamu Aliyu Kibiya, former Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs; and Hon. Nasiru Sani Garo, former Commissioner for Special Projects. Briefing journalists shortly after the recovery exercise, the Chairman of the Commission, Sa’idu Yahaya, who led the operation, said the action became necessary after the former commissioners failed to comply with repeated official requests to return government assets. Read Also: Kano Counters Amnesty Report, Says Rights of Citizens Protected Yahaya disclosed that the operation was prompted by formal complaints and notification from the Office of the Secretary to the Kano State Government, being the custodian of all government vehicles, regarding alleged abuse of office and the urgent need for the former officials to return all government property in their possession upon resignation. The chairman further alleged that some of the commissioners said to have sold the official vehicles shortly after leaving office. “Government assets are not personal property. Once an official leaves office, all government vehicles and assets in their custody must be returned immediately. “They were advised to return the vehicles to avoid a situation like this, but they refused, leaving us with no alternative but to take action. We followed due process and secured a court order, which was duly granted, to recover the vehicles.” He added, “So far, we have recovered five vehicles from the five commissioners. However, only two of the vehicles recovered are the exact official vehicles purchased by the government. The other three are not the original vehicles. “Investigation revealed that the official vehicles had been sold and replaced with other vehicles, which we also recovered. We will launch a full scale investigation to determine whether the official vehicles were sold to procure these ones or otherwise,” Yahaya said. The anti-corruption boss dismissed suggestions that the action was politically motivated, insisting that the commission’s intervention was strictly in line with its statutory responsibility to safeguard public property. “This is not about witch-hunting anyone. It is about protecting the resources of the people of Kano State. We will not tolerate any form of misconduct or unlawful retention of government property,” he said. He further warned that the commission would sustain surveillance on the use and custody of public assets, stressing that similar measures would be taken against any official found to be in breach of asset return regulations. “Public trust depends on transparency and accountability. We are determined to strengthen both, and we will take appropriate action against anyone found mismanaging or unlawfully holding government property,” Yahaya added. Meanwhile, a retired senior civil servant, Mohammad Tukur, clarified the administrative position on the matter, stating that no existing law permits a commissioner to retain an official vehicle after serving in the cabinet. Tukur explained that government policy provides official vehicles to commissioners solely to enable them carry out their official duties. “No law guarantees commissioners the right to keep government vehicles at the end of a successful tenure, whether they are sacked or resign from office,” he said. He, however, noted that the governor reserves the executive power and discretion to permit any official to retain a vehicle after leaving office. “Under administrative policy, what commissioners are entitled to upon leaving office are certain allowances, not official vehicles. Even then, any commissioner who is sacked or resigns from the cabinet may not be entitled to those severance packages,” Tukur explained.

Kano State Government has rejected allegations by Amnesty International accusing it of repressing freedom of expression, describing the claims as false, misleading, and unfounded. The government was responding to a publication by the organization titled “Kano: Escalating Repression Endangers Freedom of Expression,” which alleged a pattern of arrests, detention, and harassment of individuals critical of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf. In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, the government said the report amounted to a gross misrepresentation of facts and failed to reflect the realities on ground. The statement maintained that the administration of Governor Yusuf remains committed to the protection of fundamental human rights, including freedom of expression as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Read Also: Kano: Why Journalists Still Face Harassment Despite Press Freedom Guarantees Pantami Urges Northern Muslims to Invest in Media, Warns of Communication Deficit Kano Announces Eid Break, Releases School Resumption Plan “The government has at no time directed any security agency to harass or intimidate individuals for expressing dissenting opinions,” the statement said. It, however, emphasized that while freedom of expression is guaranteed, it is not absolute, noting that issues such as defamation, incitement, hate speech, and deliberate misinformation fall outside the boundaries of lawful expression. According to the government, security agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS), operate within their legal mandates, and any arrests or invitations are based on petitions and credible allegations such as cyberbullying, defamation, and incitement. The statement further clarified that the Kano State Government does not control the operational decisions of federal security agencies, but supports lawful measures aimed at addressing cybercrime and protecting the dignity of individuals. The government expressed concern over what it described as the misuse of social media platforms to spread falsehoods and engage in character assassination under the guise of civic engagement. It added that the administration has continued to promote open governance and civic participation, noting that Kano remains one of the states fostering strong engagement between government, media, and civil society organizations. The statement also highlighted that citizens are free to express their views on governance without harassment, stressing that constructive criticism remains essential for democratic growth. It, however, drew a distinction between legitimate criticism and actions that violate the law, insisting that democratic freedoms must be exercised responsibly. The government urged organizations and commentators to verify facts and engage relevant authorities before making public claims capable of creating tension or undermining public institutions. Reaffirming its stance, the Kano State Government reiterated its commitment to democratic values, rule of law, and peaceful coexistence, while pledging to continue safeguarding constitutional rights within the framework of the law.

Senator representing Kano Central, Rufai Sani Hanga, has been dragged before an Upper Sharia Court over an alleged unpaid sum of N124,800,070 owed to political associates. The civil suit, filed by Isa Ado Medoya and other members of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), claims the amount was incurred during the senator’s electioneering campaign for services rendered. When the case came up for hearing before Sharia Judge Muhammad Sani, counsel to the plaintiffs, Abbas Mandawari, outlined the basis of the claim, stating that the funds represent payment for agreed campaign assignments executed by his clients. Mandawari presented documents and samples to demonstrate the nature of the work carried out, adding that further consultations were required to properly organise additional materials. He subsequently requested more time for verification. Read Also: Meet DIGs Likely to Retire Following Disu’s Emergence as Acting IGP Counsel to the defendant opposed the application, arguing that the plaintiffs were unprepared to proceed with substantive arguments and urging the court to dismiss the suit on grounds of lack of diligent prosecution. However, the court declined the request for dismissal, ruling that the plaintiffs be granted additional time to consolidate their filings. The judge emphasised the need to allow both parties adequate opportunity to fully present their cases. The matter was adjourned to April 21, 2026, for the continuation of proceedings, with the plaintiffs expected to submit complete documentation, after which the defence will respond formally. Meanwhile, the case unfolds amid ongoing political realignments in Kano State. Senator Hanga, the only NNPP senator in the National Assembly and Deputy Minority Whip, has remained aligned with Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso despite recent defections within the party. The senator has reportedly described recent political shifts, including the defection of Abba Kabir Yusuf, as a betrayal, reiterating his commitment to remain within his political bloc. (People’s Pen)