The Jigawa State Governor, Umar Namadi, has suspended his Commissioner for Special Duties, Auwal Sankara, who was caught in an uncompleted building with a married woman, Tasleem Baba Nabegu, who he was accused of having an illicit affair with.
The suspension of the Commissioner was contained in a statement signed by the Jigawa State Head of Service, Bala Ibrahim, on Saturday. He explained that Namadi approved the suspension of Sankara with immediate effect.
Ibrahim said the suspension was to pave the way for a thorough examination of the allegation and uphold the integrity of the state administration. He emphasised the commitment of the state to accountability and adherence to ethical standards in governance.
The statement said: “The suspension is a precautionary measure intended to facilitate a fair investigation. We take all allegations seriously and we are dedicated to upholding the trust of Jigawa citizens in the government.”
Sankara, a member of the Jigawa State Executive Council, was reportedly arrested by operatives of the Kano State Hisbah Board in Kano on Thursday in an uncompleted building with Nabegu.
The Director-General of the Kano State Hisba Board, Malam Abba Sufi, confirmed the development to newsmen on Friday. Sufi told newsmen that Sankara and Nabegu were caught in an uncompleted building, owned by the commissioner in Kano, Kano State.
The arrest of the commissioner followed a petition lodged with the Board by the husband of the woman, who is married with two kids, Nasiru Bulama. According to available information, Bulama further lodged the complaint with the Nigeria Police Force and Department of State Services.
Sufi told newsmen: “Yes, it is true we have arrested Auwal Danladi Sankara, the Jigawa Commissioner, with a married woman in an uncompleted building that belongs to him, unknown to him that we were tracking him based on reports against him we received.
“Nasiru Bulama filed the complaint with the Kano State Police Command, the Department of State Services, and the Hisbah Board, alleging Sankara’s involvement in illicit sexual activities with his wife.”
The Advocate learnt that Nabegu was said to have put up a fierce fight to escape arrest when operatives of the Hisbah Board stormed the uncompleted building.
She was said to have tried to flee in a car. In the process, she rammed into the fence of the building. After recovering from the bad hit, she also used the vehicle to forcefully break down the gate.
However, two vehicles professionally positioned outside the gate did not allow her to go any further. Sufi added that Sankara is also facing charges for running illicit drug centres under the names: Picklock, 360, and three others not mentioned.
He added: “We have been having problems with Sankara because he is operating illicit drug centres disguised as hotels, where prostitution and drug addiction activities take place.” The DG said Sankara would be arraigned in court on Monday.
