The Kano State Government has dismissed allegations of diverting ₦6.5bn from the state treasury, describing them as falsehoods orchestrated by political opponents to discredit the administration.
This is contained in a statement issued on Monday, by the Director General Media to the government, Sanusi Bature D-Tofa.
The government reacted to a report on August 22, 2025, which alleged that funds were withdrawn and misappropriated through the Directorate of Protocol, Government House.
Protocol office not an independent spending unit – Kano
According to the government, the matter is already before the High Court and revolves around the Director General of Protocol, Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim Rogo.
“Without prejudice to the ongoing litigation on the matter, the state government is obliged to avail the public with the nitty-gritty of the Directorate of Protocol’s operations at Kano Government House, which is not different from structures obtainable in all states and the federal government,” the statement said.
It stressed that every financial outflow in the state is tied to specific budgetary allocations, adding that no public funds are handled outside “a proper designated purpose.”
The Protocol Directorate, the government explained, handles logistics, accommodation, welfare, and the Governor’s official engagements within and outside Nigeria.
Kano govt: What DG protocol responsibilities involve
According to the statement, the office is also responsible for receiving visiting VIPs and VVIPs, including the Presidency, ministers, foreign envoys, and citizens requiring the governor’s attention.
“Expectedly, over 95 per cent of the responsibility of the Directorate of Protocol involves large volumes of financial transactions and more often than not, settles liabilities incurred on the state at the instance of His Excellency,” the statement noted.
The government reiterated its commitment to “financial prudence, accountability, transparency, and zero tolerance for corruption,” insisting it would not allow the integrity of its aides to be sacrificed for “political blackmail.”
Kano govt defends Protocol DG
The administration expressed confidence in Rogo’s credibility, adding that it remains open to fair and lawful criticism but “will not succumb to easy blackmail through misinformation.”
It alleged that opposition groups were deliberately pushing the allegations online to tarnish the image of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s government.
“While the government will allow them to continue running after shadows, we wish to also reawaken the consciousness of the public to how the immediate past Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, through the Protocol Directorate, spent over N20 billion from the state treasury in just three months between February and May 2023 after his party, the APC, lost woefully to the NNPP,” the statement added.
The statement accused the Ganduje administration of “reckless governance,” citing multiple corruption scandals, including alleged land grabbing and the viral dollar-bribe video.
It also claimed that the former first family operated multiple accounts and acquired properties in Dubai and Saudi Arabia.
“The government is aware that the opposition group in Kano has set up an office solely for writing petitions against officials of the present administration just to distract the leadership from fulfilling its campaign promises,” the statement read.
We remain transparent – D-Tofa
The government maintained that its reforms have attracted investors and restored public confidence in Kano’s governance.
It emphasized that the Protocol Directorate is “purely administrative in function” and does not carry out independent financial transactions.
“The allegations being peddled are therefore nothing more than 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,” the statement declared.
Govt vows legal action against falsehoods
Kano residents were urged to see through the alleged smear campaign, as the Yusuf administration remains “fully focused on delivering good governance, protecting public resources, and improving the lives of citizens.”
“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,” it warned.
The government further cautioned opposition figures against spreading misinformation and said it would not hesitate to seek legal redress where necessary.
“As the case stands before a court of competent jurisdiction, Kano State Government will remain indifferent on this matter till the case is determined at the appropriate time,” the statement concluded.
