A seven-member panel has been constituted to probe the diversion of salaries and financial irregularities in the Kano State civil service payroll system.

The high-powered technical panel, headed by the immediate past Accountant General and Commissioner for Rural Development, AbdulKareem Abdulsalam, is equally entrusted with investigating and recommending punitive measures against culprits.

Inaugurating the technical committee on Thursday at a press conference, the Secretary to the State Government, Alh. Faruq Umar Ibrahim, said the government is worried about the illegal deduction of civil servants’ salaries and vowed to end the anomalies henceforth.

The SSG regretted how the illegal deduction and withholding of salaries for no just reason in the last five months had inflicted untold hardship on innocent workers. However, he assured the affected civil servants of a refund of their entitlements.

According to him, the committee has been directed to conduct a thorough audit of the state’s payroll from October 2024 to February 2025, identify affected workers, determine the financial impact, and recommend corrective and punitive actions.

READ ALSO: Nestle Nigeria records N958b revenue growth in 2024

He said Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has issued a stern warning over the widespread reports of salary underpayment and non-payment affecting a number of the state’s civil servants, declaring that the act is an unacceptable violation of workers’ rights and a betrayal of public trust.

The SSG added that the Governor has assured civil servants that his administration is committed to justice, transparency, and the prompt payment of salaries, warning that anyone found guilty of exploiting workers will face severe consequences.

He added that the NNPP administration will not tolerate any act of injustice against workers and that anyone found complicit in this reprehensible act will face the full wrath of the law.

Other members of the panel are Dr. Bashir Abdu Muzakkari, Special Adviser to the Governor on Digital Economy; Dr. Aliyu Isa Aliyu, Director-General, Kano State Bureau of Statistics; Dr. Hamisu Sadi Ali, Director-General, Kano State Debt Management Office; Hajiya Zainab Abdulkadir, Director, Kano State Computer Centre; Aliyu Muhammad Sani, Secretary, Director of Research & Evaluation, REPA Directorate, SSG’s Office; and Ummulkulthum Ladan Kailani, Senior Assistant Secretary (AGS), Admin. & General Services Directorate, SSG’s Office, who will serve as Co-Secretary.

The committee has been given just seven days to complete its findings and submit a comprehensive report outlining those responsible, the extent of the financial malpractice, and lasting solutions to ensure the problem never recurs.