Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi has suspended the commissioner for special duties Auwalu Sankara to allow investigation into allegations that he slept with a married woman.
On Friday, Kano State Hisbah Board said it arrested Mr Sankara in an uncompleted building with the said woman.
The board’s director general Abba Sufi stated that Sankara was arrested following a complaint from the woman’s brother-in-law, accusing him of improper conduct.
Sufi also noted that Sankara would face charges on multiple counts, including operating illicit drug centres under the names Picklock and 360.
However, the state government in a statement signed by Bala Ibrahim, secretary to the government of Jigawa State on Saturday, stated that the suspension was to allow for a thorough investigation to ensure transparency and maintain the integrity of the state administration.
The commissioner, in a statement issued on Friday night, said the allegations were false, baseless and malicious.
“My attention has been drawn to a recent media report alleging that I, Auwal D. Sankara, Commissioner for Special Duties in the Jigawa State Government, have been arrested by the Kano Hisbah Command on charges of having an affair with a married woman.
“I wish to categorically state that these allegations are entirely false, baseless, and malicious, aimed at tarnishing my reputation. I urge the general public to disregard this fabricated story, concocted by certain political elements to damage my character and integrity.
“As a married man, I have the utmost respect for the institution of marriage and would never engage in actions that violate its sanctity. I remain committed to upholding the values and principles that I stand for,” the statement said.
Sankara also vowed to take legal action against those responsible for spreading the claims.
“I am taking this matter seriously and will pursue legal action against those responsible for disseminating this false information and attempting to harm my person,” he added.