Kwankwaso’s son and four former commissioners have had government vehicles reclaimed by the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) following their refusal to return the cars after leaving office.
The recovery exercise, carried out on Thursday, was supervised by PCACC Chairman Sa’idu Yahaya, who said the action became necessary after repeated requests to return official property went unheeded.
The former officials involved are Air Vice Marshal Ibrahim Umar (retd), ex-Commissioner for Internal Security; Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso, ex-Commissioner for Youth and Sports; Dr. Yusuf Ibrahim Kofar Mata, ex-Commissioner for Science and Technology; Dr. Adamu Aliyu Kibiya, ex-Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs; and Hon. Nasiru Sani Garo, ex-Commissioner for Special Projects.
Yahaya told ENigeria Newspaper afterwards that some of the officials had reportedly sold their government-issued vehicles after leaving office, prompting the commission to obtain a court order to recover the assets.
“Government assets are not personal property. Once an official leaves office, all government vehicles and assets in their custody must be returned immediately,” he said.
ENigeria Newspaper confirmed that five vehicles were retrieved, but only two were the original cars issued by the government. The other three had been replaced with different vehicles, which were also recovered. “We will launch a full investigation to determine whether the official vehicles were sold to procure these replacements or otherwise,” Yahaya said.
Responding to claims of political motivation, the anti-graft boss insisted the operation was strictly about protecting public property.
“This is not about witch-hunting anyone. It is about safeguarding the resources of the people of Kano State. We will not tolerate misconduct or unlawful retention of government property,” he said.
Yahaya further warned that the commission would maintain surveillance over public assets and take similar action against any official found in violation of asset return policies. “Public trust depends on transparency and accountability. We are determined to strengthen both,” he added.
Clarifying the legal and administrative framework, retired civil servant Mohammad Tukur said no law allows commissioners to keep official vehicles after leaving office.
“Government policy provides vehicles to enable commissioners to perform their duties. Once they leave office, they are not entitled to retain them,” he explained.
Tukur added that the governor has the discretion to allow any departing official to keep a vehicle, but ordinarily, departing commissioners are entitled only to certain allowances, not government cars.
