Kano Salary Deduction: Gov Yusuf Suspends Acting HoS

By Ayodele Oni

In compliance with his pledge to get to the root of illegal salary deductions which has raised tension among civil servants, as a first casualty of the act, Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has suspended with immediate effect the acting Head of Service and Permanent Secretary, Establishment, Salisu Mustapha.

Report revealed that the official is being punished for alleged salary deductions and non-payment of some civil servants’ salaries.

This is even as the committee set up to investigate the matter has just commenced work.

According to findings, some have had their salaries slashed by as much as 30 to 40%, while some have not been paid at all since October last year.

The unexplained deductions and salary cuts, are believed to have seriously affected the workers, most of whom are  finding it  difficult to adequately prepare for the Ramadan fast .

A statement issued on Thursday by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Dawakin-Tofa, which announced the suspension, further directed Mustapha to step aside as Permanent Secretary, Establishment, under the Office of the Head of Service, to allow for an unhindered investigation.

To ensure administrative continuity, the governor has approved the appointment of Umar Jalo, the Permanent Secretary, REPA, as the new acting Head of Service, pending the outcome of the ongoing probe.

Governor Yusuf reaffirmed his zero-tolerance stance on financial malpractice, warning that anyone found guilty will face severe consequences.

The Abdulkadir Abdussalam-led investigative committee, inaugurated on Thursday, has been given seven days to uncover the root of the irregularities and submit its findings.

Mustapha was appointed acting Head of Service earlier this month, following the medical leave granted to the substantive Head of Service, Abdullahi Musa, who is currently receiving treatment in India.