Kano Gov’t Denies Alleged Diversion Of Public Funds By Gov’s Top Aide

The Kano State Government has denied allegations that the Director-General of Protocol at the Government House, Abdullahi Ibrahim Rogo, diverted ₦6.5 billion from the state treasury, describing the claims as politically-motivated.

LEADERSHIP reports that the allegations, first reported by an online newspaper on August 22, included that Rogo withdrew the funds between November 2023 and February 2025 through companies, H&M Construction Nigeria Ltd, A.Y. Maikifi Petroleum, and Ammas Oil and Gas Ltd.

According to the report, the money was allegedly siphoned through fictitious contracts that were never executed.

But, in a strongly-worded statement issued on Monday, the Director-General of Media and Publicity, Government House, Sanusi Bature DawakinTofa, insisted that the reports were “a work of fiction, carefully crafted by political opponents who have resorted to blackmail and propaganda in their desperation to remain relevant ahead of the 2027 elections.”

“Every cash outflow into Ministries, Departments, and Agencies is properly budgeted with clear codes well spelt out in the fiscal policy of the state. Hence, no individual in government MDAs handles public funds without proper designated purpose,” the statement said.

The State government stressed that the Protocol Directorate was not an independent office with powers to spend money without scrutiny. “Its mandate is to coordinate official engagements, state visits, receptions, ceremonial events, and logistics… It does not undertake any financial transactions outside established rules and approvals,” DawakinTofa explained.

He said the Governor Abba Yusuf administration remained confident in Rogo’s integrity, adding “The government is also not in doubt of the credibility of the Director General, Directorate of Protocol, Government House, Hon. Abdullahi Ibrahim Rogo.”

The statement accused the opposition of sponsoring the allegations to distract the administration. “The government is aware of the nefarious activities of a particular opposition group seeking to pull the present administration down… using the digital space to overblow the matter to misinform the general public,” Dawakin Tofa said.

The government also drew comparisons with the immediate-past administration of Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, alleging that “over ₦20 billion was spent from the state treasury in just three months between February and May 2023 after his party, the APC, lost woefully to the NNPP.”

Reaffirming its position, the statement added “Let it be on record that this government remains firmly committed to the principles of transparency, accountability, and prudent utilisation of public funds. No amount of fabricated allegations, propaganda, or media trial will derail the resolve of this administration.”

The statement also reiterated that the Governor Yusuf administration will seek legal redress against any individual involved in the said misinformation “The government of Kano State therefore, wishes to send a word of caution to the opposition figures to disengage from the deliberate spread of lies and misinformation. While the government welcomes constructive criticism and lawful scrutiny, it will not hesitate to seek legal redress against those who persist in maligning its officials or attempting to incite the public with baseless allegations.”