A civil society organisation has petitioned the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, calling for an investigation into allegations that a senior aide to Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has been receiving salaries from both the federal and state governments for nearly 20 years.
Drivetvnews gathered that the petition, filed by the Community Rescue Initiative (CRI), accuses Liman Babayo Othman Abubakar, popularly known as Babayo Liman, of simultaneously holding positions within the Federal Civil Service and the Bauchi State Government, contrary to public service regulations.
According to the group, Babayo Liman currently serves as Senior Special Assistant on Internal Security to the Bauchi State Governor while allegedly retaining his federal appointment as a Chief Executive Officer (Accounts) under the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, with posting to the Federal Ministry of Works in Jos, Plateau State.
The petition claims that despite occupying political appointments in Bauchi State across different administrations, he has continued to receive salaries and benefits from the federal government without actively reporting to his federal duty station.
CRI further alleged that the arrangement dates back to the administration of former Governor Isa Yuguda, during which Babayo Liman reportedly served as a government aide while maintaining his federal employment status.
The organisation argued that if the allegations are confirmed, they could amount to financial misconduct, abuse of office, conflict of interest, unlawful enrichment, and misuse of public funds.
The petition urged the Accountant-General to examine his service records, salary history, attendance records, and deployment status. It also requested the suspension of any ongoing salary payments pending the outcome of investigations and the recovery of funds found to have been improperly received.
Additionally, the group called for the involvement of anti-corruption agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), if evidence of wrongdoing is established.
Responding to the allegations, Babayo Liman declined to comment directly on the claims, stating that matters concerning his employment status should be handled by the appropriate authorities. He added that his legal team was reviewing the petition and would advise him accordingly.
As of the time of reporting, neither the Bauchi State Government nor the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation had issued an official response to the allegations.
