PHCMB Worker Petitions PCACC Over Prolonged Suspension, Seeks Fair Hearing
By Maikudi Muhammad Marafa
KANO, August 13, 2026 — A Cold Chain Personnel with the Kano State Primary Health Care Management Board (KSPHCMB), Umar Aliyu Sani, has petitioned the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC), seeking urgent intervention over what he described as prolonged suspension, denial of fair hearing and alleged abuse of administrative process.
In the petition dated August 13, 2026 and addressed to the Chairman of the PCACC, and made available to FAME NEWS ONLINE, Sani said he had served the Kano State Primary Health Care Management Board diligently for more than six years and was attached to the Floating Assembly Unit as a Cold Chain Personnel.
According to the petitioner, he was suspended from duty on December 12, 2025, through a letter with Reference No. PHCMB/ADM/485, over an allegation concerning the theft of items from the Floating Assembly Unit.
Sani alleged that more than seven months after the suspension, he had not been formally invited before an investigation panel, interviewed or questioned over the allegation, or given an opportunity to defend himself. He also said he had not been provided with any investigation findings or official communication on the status of the matter.
He maintained that the prolonged suspension without a clear investigation process amounted to a denial of fair hearing and was inconsistent with the principles of natural justice.
The petitioner said that, in an effort to resolve the matter administratively, he wrote to the Management of the Board on July 9, 2026, requesting clarification on the status of the investigation and an opportunity to defend himself.
He subsequently appeared at a meeting following a telephone invitation, where he said he met four officials from the Board’s headquarters and another individual who was introduced as a representative of the Office of the Head of Civil Service.
Sani said he told the meeting that his only demand was justice and fairness, adding that if found guilty after a proper investigation, he was prepared to face appropriate disciplinary action under the relevant Public/Civil Service Rules. Conversely, he requested that his name be cleared and an apology issued if found innocent.
However, the petitioner said that after receiving no official outcome from the Board, he wrote to the Kano State Commissioner for Health on July 16, 2026, requesting intervention, but had not received a response as of the date of the petition.
He further alleged that he was later invited to the Office of the Head of Civil Service, where he narrated the events surrounding his suspension and the earlier meeting.
According to Sani, officials of the Office of the Head of Civil Service subsequently informed him that the person introduced at the earlier meeting as a representative of the Office had not been delegated or authorised by the Office to attend the meeting.
He described the development as a serious concern and urged the PCACC to investigate whether the individual had impersonated a public officer and whether his presence affected the integrity of the administrative process.
Sani said his concern was not only about the suspension but also the prolonged uncertainty surrounding the allegation, which he said had caused hardship to him, affected his professional reputation and created emotional distress.
He reaffirmed his innocence of the allegation and expressed confidence that a transparent and impartial investigation would establish the facts and identify those responsible, if any.
In his petition, Sani requested the PCACC to conduct or direct an independent review of the matter and ensure that a fair, transparent and impartial investigation is carried out.
He also requested that he be given an opportunity to present his defence, that the findings of any investigation be communicated to him, and that any administrative action be based on credible evidence and due process.
The petitioner further asked that, if no evidence is established against him, his suspension be lifted, his name cleared and his rights and entitlements restored in accordance with the applicable Public Service Rules.
He also urged the Commission to investigate the circumstances surrounding the person introduced as a representative of the Office of the Head of Civil Service and establish whether the individual was duly authorised to act in that capacity.
Sani expressed confidence that the intervention of the anti-corruption commission would promote justice, fairness, accountability and the rule of law.
He described himself as a loyal public servant committed to serving the people of Kano State with integrity and professionalism.
Copies of the petition were also addressed to the Executive Governor of Kano State, the Secretary to the State Government, the Head of Civil Service, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), and Brekete Family/Human Rights Radio and Television.
Media Note: The allegations contained in this report are those made by the petitioner in his submission to the PCACC. They have not been independently established by this publication. The Kano State Primary Health Care Management Board and other relevant authorities have not provided their response in the petition made available for this report.
