JIGAWA State Governor Umar Namadi has ordered the immediate suspension of his commissioner for special duties, Auwalu Sankara over allegation of having illicit affairs with a married woman.
Officials of Kano State Hisbah Board claimed they arrested Sankara on Thursday night in the company of a married woman believed to be his mistress in an uncompleted building along Lamido Crescent Road, Nasarawa GRA, Kano.
However, he denied the allegation.
His suspension was contained in a statement signed by Secretary to the Government of Jigawa State, Bala Ibrahim, on Friday, October 18.
According to the statement, the suspension aims at ensuring transparency and maintaining the integrity of the state administration.
Ibrahim highlighted the governor’s commitment to accountability and adherence to ethical governance.
“The suspension is a precautionary measure intended to facilitate a fair investigation,” said the government.
“We take all allegations seriously and are dedicated to upholding the trust of Jigawa citizens in the government.”
On Friday, October 18, hthe Kano Hisbah Board confirmed the arrest and detention of Sankaraa, saying he would be charged to court, on Monday.
The arrest followed a complaint by Nasiru Bulama, the mistress’ husband, who accused Sankara of engaging in illicit affair with his wife, Tasleem Baba Nabegu, the mother of his two children.
Bulama had filed the complaint with the Kano State Police Command, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Hisbah Board, alleging Sankara’s involvement in illicit sexual activities with his wife.
However, the suspended commissioner denied the allegation and described it as a fabricated story aimed at at tarnishing his image.
Nurudeen Akewushola is an investigative reporter and fact-checker with The ICIR. He believes courageous in-depth investigative reporting is the key to social justice, accountability and good governance in society. You can reach him via nyahaya@icirnigeria.org and @NurudeenAkewus1 on Twitter.