The Kano State Government has set up a seven-member panel to investigate the diversion of salaries and financial irregularities in the state’s civil service payroll system.
The panel is led by the immediate past Accountant General and Commissioner for Rural Development, AbdulKareem Abdulsalam.
It has been tasked with identifying those involved in the illegal deductions of civil servants’ salaries and recommending appropriate punishments.
While inaugurating the panel on Thursday, the Secretary to the State Government, Faruq Umar Ibrahim, expressed concern over the unlawful deduction of workers’ salaries in the past five months. He assured affected workers that they would be refunded.
“The illegal deduction and withholding of salaries have caused great hardship to innocent workers,” Ibrahim said. “The government is determined to put an end to these anomalies.”
The panel has been directed to conduct a full audit of the state’s payroll from October 2024 to February 2025. It will identify affected workers, calculate the financial impact, and recommend solutions to prevent a recurrence.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has warned against the underpayment and non-payment of civil servants’ salaries, describing it as a violation of workers’ rights and a betrayal of public trust.
“The Governor has made it clear that his administration is committed to justice, transparency, and the prompt payment of salaries,” Ibrahim added. “Anyone found guilty of exploiting workers will face serious consequences.”
The other members of the panel include Dr. Bashir Abdu Muzakkari, Special Adviser to the Governor on Digital Economy; Dr. Aliyu Isa Aliyu, Director-General of the Kano State Bureau of Statistics; Dr. Hamisu Sadi Ali, Director-General of the Kano State Debt Management Office; Hajiya Zainab Abdulkadir, Director of the Kano State Computer Centre; Aliyu Muhammad Sani, Director of Research & Evaluation, REPA Directorate, SSG’s Office; and Ummulkulthum Ladan Kailani, Senior Assistant Secretary, Admin. & General Services Directorate, SSG’s Office, who will serve as Co-Secretary.
The committee has been given seven days to submit a detailed report identifying those responsible for the malpractice, the financial damage done, and lasting solutions to prevent future occurrences.
