The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission has recovered five official vehicles from former members of the Kano State Executive Council, escalating scrutiny over the handling of public assets after their resignation from office.

The commission said the recovery followed weeks of alleged non-compliance with directives asking the affected ex-commissioners to return government property in their custody.

Those involved include: Ibrahim Umar (retd), former Commissioner for Internal Security; Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso, former Commissioner for Youth and Sports;  Yusuf Ibrahim Kofar Mata, former Commissioner for Science and Technology;
Adamu Aliyu Kibiya, former Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs; and Nasiru Sani Garo, former Commissioner for Special Projects.

Chairman of the commission, Sa’idu Yahaya, who led the enforcement operation on Thursday, told journalists that the action was taken after repeated official requests were ignored.

According to him, the commission acted on formal complaints and notification from the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, the custodian of all government vehicles, over what it described as the urgent need to retrieve public assets following the officials’ voluntary resignation.

“Government assets are not personal property. Once an official leaves office, all government vehicles and assets in their custody must be returned immediately,” Yahaya said.

He disclosed that the commission secured a court order before moving to recover the vehicles, stressing that due process was followed throughout the operation.

Of particular concern, Yahaya revealed that only two of the five vehicles recovered were the original official vehicles issued to the commissioners by the state government. The remaining three, he said, were different vehicles allegedly acquired to replace the original ones.

“Investigation revealed that the official vehicles had been sold and replaced with other vehicles, which we also recovered. We will launch a full-scale investigation to determine whether the official vehicles were sold to procure these ones or otherwise,” he added.

The development has opened a wider probe into possible abuse of office and unlawful disposal of government property. The commission said further legal steps may follow depending on the outcome of ongoing investigations.

Yahaya dismissed insinuations that the recovery exercise was politically motivated, maintaining that the commission’s mandate is strictly to safeguard public resources.

“This is not about witch-hunting anyone. It is about protecting the resources of the people of Kano State. We will not tolerate any form of misconduct or unlawful retention of government property,” he said.

He warned that the agency would intensify surveillance on public assets and enforce compliance with asset return regulations among political office holders and senior government officials.

“Public trust depends on transparency and accountability. We are determined to strengthen both, and we will take appropriate action against anyone found mismanaging or unlawfully holding government property,” the chairman stated.

The incident has also sparked clarification on what former commissioners are legally entitled to after leaving office.

A retired senior civil servant, Mohammad Tukur, explained that there is no law permitting commissioners to retain official vehicles at the end of their tenure, whether they resign or are removed.

According to him, official vehicles are provided strictly for the discharge of public duties and must be returned once an appointee exits office.

“No law guarantees commissioners the right to keep government vehicles at the end of a successful tenure, whether they are sacked or resign from office,” Tukur said.

He noted, however, that the governor retains discretionary powers to approve the release of certain assets to departing officials under specific circumstances.

“Under administrative policy, what commissioners are entitled to upon leaving office are certain allowances, not official vehicles. Even then, any commissioner who is sacked or resigns from the cabinet may not be entitled to those severance packages,” he explained.

Observers say the recovery signals a tougher enforcement posture by the anti-corruption agency amid growing public demand for accountability.