Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has suspended the Acting Head of Service, Salisu Mustapha, over serious allegations of salary deductions and the non-payment of wages to civil servants.
The suspension, effective immediately, is aimed at enabling an unhindered investigation into the scandal.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, Governor Yusuf announced that Mustapha, who also serves as the Permanent Secretary, Establishment, would step aside temporarily to facilitate an impartial probe.
The governor’s office has appointed Malam Umar Muhammad Jalo, the Permanent Secretary for REPA, as the new Acting Head of Service pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation.
Governor Yusuf reiterated his unwavering stance on financial transparency, emphasizing that his administration would not tolerate any form of financial malfeasance.
“We have a zero-tolerance policy toward corruption, and anyone found culpable in this matter will face the full force of the law,” he declared.
The governor also disclosed that a special investigative committee, led by Abdulkadir Abdussalam, has been set up to probe the allegations.
The committee, which began its work today, has been given seven days to unravel the details of the salary irregularities and report its findings.
Mustapha’s suspension comes less than a month after his appointment as Acting Head of Service, following the medical leave of the substantive Head of Service, Abdullahi Musa, who is currently receiving treatment in India.
