Kano ex commissioners vehicle seizure suit filed at Industrial Court after former officials accuse authorities of forceful vehicle recovery

Five former commissioners in the Kano State Government on Friday instituted legal proceedings at the National Industrial Court, filing a Kano ex commissioners vehicle seizure suit to challenge what they described as the forceful recovery of their official vehicles by state authorities.

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The plaintiffs include Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso, former Commissioner for Youth and Sports and son of Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, alongside Nasiru Sule Garo, former Commissioner for Special Duties;

Air Vice Marshal Ibrahim Umar (retd.), former Commissioner for Internal Security; Adamu Aliyu Kibiya, former Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs; and Yusuf Ibrahim Kofar Mata, former Commissioner for Science and Technology.

The former cabinet members resigned collectively following the defection of Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, from the New Nigeria People’s Party to the All Progressives Congress, a political shift that triggered significant realignments within the state administration.

Court documents obtained by journalists showed that Air Vice Marshal Ibrahim Umar filed suit number NICN/KN/14/2026 against the Attorney General of Kano State and two other defendants after operatives of the state Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission allegedly entered his residence on February 26 and seized an official vehicle.

Counsel to the claimant argued that the operation disrupted family members and violated personal privacy, demanding the immediate return of the vehicle as well as disclosure of officials involved in the enforcement exercise.

In a joint statement issued on behalf of the affected former commissioners, Air Vice Marshal Umar accused the state government of adopting what he described as a vindictive approach intended to intimidate political opponents.

The ex-officials maintained that official vehicles constitute part of the statutory entitlements of political officeholders under existing remuneration provisions.

The statement further alleged that personal vehicles belonging to spouses were also removed during the recovery exercise.

“Our personal liberty and the sanctity of our homes were grossly violated,” the statement noted, adding that the action amounted to an attempt to publicly embarrass dissenting voices.

However, the Chairman of the Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission, Saidu Yahaya, had earlier defended the operation, stating that the recovery followed a valid court order issued after directives requiring the return of government property were allegedly ignored.

The former commissioners insisted that the dispute required judicial clarification and urged supporters to remain peaceful while the court determines the legality of the action.

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The lawsuit marks a powerful escalation in political tensions within Kano State, where Governor Yusuf’s defection and subsequent cabinet resignations have deepened rivalry between members of the ruling All Progressives Congress and loyalists aligned with the Kwankwasiyya political movement.