A fresh controversy has erupted in Kano over the distribution of Ramadan relief items, as a human rights lawyer moves to probe alleged irregularities in the sharing of rice allocated to the Hisbah Board.
Barrister Musa Abubakar Tudunwada has disclosed plans to formally write to the Commander General of the Kano State Hisbah Board, Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa, demanding clarification on how bags of rice donated by the state government were distributed among staff.
The rice, reportedly provided by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, formed part of the annual Ramadan welfare package extended to ministries, departments, and agencies across the state.
Tudunwada said his action followed complaints from aggrieved personnel within the Hisbah Board, who alleged that the distribution process was skewed and failed to reach all entitled staff.
“We will formally write to the Hisbah leadership to provide a detailed breakdown of how the rice was shared,” he stated, noting that the move is aimed at uncovering possible lapses and ensuring accountability.
He warned that failure to provide a satisfactory explanation could trigger legal action, including filing a petition before the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission.
“This is about fairness and transparency. An institution tasked with upholding moral standards must itself be above reproach,” the lawyer added.
Insider accounts have further fueled the controversy, with sources alleging that as many as 900 bags of rice were allocated to the Hisbah Board. The distribution pattern, however, has come under scrutiny.
According to the claims, top officials—including the Commander General, the board chairman, and Deputy Directors General—allegedly received up to 20 bags each, while Assistant Directors General were said to have taken 18 bags each. In contrast, directors, assistant commanders, and various units reportedly received just one bag each, with local government headquarters allocated five bags apiece.
Though these figures remain unverified, they have intensified calls for transparency and equitable distribution within the agency.
The development casts a shadow over what was intended as a goodwill gesture by the Kano State Government, which recently rolled out large-scale food support to ease the burden on citizens during Ramadan.
Observers say the outcome of Tudunwada’s inquiry could set a precedent for accountability in the handling of public welfare resources, particularly within institutions entrusted with enforcing ethical conduct.
As pressure mounts, attention now shifts to the Hisbah leadership, whose response may determine whether the issue is resolved quietly—or escalates into a full-blown anti-corruption investigation.
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