Jigawa State Governor, Malam Umar Namadi, has suspended his Commissioner for Special Duties, Auwalu Sankara, pending an investigation into allegations made by the Kano State Hisbah.
The state government has established a five-member committee to look into the matter.
The Director General of the Hisbah Board, Dr. Abba Sufi, confirmed that Sankara was apprehended in an unfinished building with a married woman, following intelligence reports and numerous complaints about their alleged relationship.
In a statement released on Friday night, Sankara denied the allegations, labeling them as false, baseless, and malicious.
He claimed the accusations were a deliberate attempt to damage his reputation and announced plans to take legal action against those spreading the claims.
“My attention has been drawn to a recent media report alleging that I, Auwal D. Sankara, have been arrested by the Kano Hisbah Command on charges of having an affair with a married woman.
“I categorically state that these allegations are entirely false, aimed at tarnishing my reputation. I urge the public to disregard this fabricated story, concocted by certain political elements to damage my character and integrity,” he stated.
In response, the Jigawa State government, through a statement signed by the Secretary, Malam Bala Ibrahim, emphasized the importance of a thorough investigation to ensure transparency and maintain the integrity of the state administration.
“The decision to suspend the commissioner is a precautionary measure aimed at facilitating a fair investigation. We take all allegations seriously and are committed to upholding the trust of Jigawa citizens in their government,” the statement read.
The investigative committee will be chaired by the Secretary to the State Government, Malam Bala Ibrahim, and will include the Commissioner for Information, Youth, Sports and Culture; the Commissioner for Basic Education; the Special Adviser on Security Matters; and the Principal Private Secretary to the Governor as Secretary.
The committee has been given two weeks to submit its report.
