Sokoto Gov Goes Tough On Officials Who Diverted Sallah Gifts

• Orders Immediate Return Of Money Meant For Workers

Local Government and Local Government Education Authority officials who diverted N30,000 Sallah gifts given to workers in Sokoto State have been ordered to return the money or face serious consequences.

The Governor of the state, Ahmed Aliyu, gave the warning on Friday while addressing a crowd of well-wishers and supporters at the Government House, in Sokoto following a successful Hajj exercise.

He expressed disappointment over the nefarious attitude of some finance officers especially at the local government level who denied its staff of the ₦ 30,000 approved as Sallah gifts by the state government.

“I wonder how somebody would deny our workers the stipends we gave them in order to make them financially stable during the Sallah festive season.

“Those who diverted those funds must return them immediately or else we will take serious punitive measures against them.

READ: Corruption Rocks Osun Govt, SSA Diverts 70 Bags Of Rice

“We will ensure that the culprits reap what they sowed to serve as a deterrent to others,” he warned.

The governor further charged all heads of agencies where such corrupt tendencies were perpetrated to hasten the compilation of all the affected workers and ensure that they are refunded.

He said, “This administration is all out to ensure zero-tolerance for corruption and all corrupt tendencies.

“So, if anybody thinks he can loot public funds and gets away with it then, he must be sick.

“This administration is a true reflection of the government of the people, for the people, and indeed by the people.

“So, we have a huge task ahead of us that we must carry out diligently without minding whose ox is gored.”