Kano initiates investigation into retired civil servants on government payroll

The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission has given retired civil servants still occupying government offices 48 hours to leave, warning that anyone receiving salaries after retirement faces investigation.

The commission also directed permanent secretaries and directors of administration to submit lists of officers who had reached the statutory retirement age or completed their permitted years of service but remained in office. The submission deadline was given as October 10, 2026.

In a statement signed by Acting Executive Chairman Hafsat Ada’u Kutama, the commission said the action followed a directive from the Head of Civil Service requiring retired officers to hand over immediately. The directive was contained in Circular No. 10/2026, dated October 6, 2026.

The commission said remaining in service, collecting salaries and using government property after statutory retirement violated the state’s Civil Service Rules. It warned that officers found to have received salaries after retirement, or helped others receive such payments, would be investigated.

The commission also announced a confidential whistleblower channel for reporting retired officers who remained in office and urged civil servants and members of the public to provide relevant information. It said the enforcement was intended to secure compliance with the Head of Service directive and prevent financial losses arising from salary payments to officers who had left the service.