By Khalid Idris Doya
A non-governmental organisation, Community Rescue Initiative (CRI), has petitioned relevant authorities to investigate allegations that Mr. Liman Babayo Othman Abubakar, popularly known as Babayo Liman, is simultaneously holding appointments with both the federal government and the Bauchi state government while allegedly receiving salaries and allowances from both positions.
In the petition signed by its counsel, A.S. Idris Esq., the organisation alleged that Babayo Liman currently serves as Chief Executive Officer (Accounts), Salary Grade Level 14, under the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation and is posted to the Accounts Department of the Federal Ministry of Works in Jos, Plateau State.
The group further claimed that he is also serving as Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed on internal security, raising concerns over possible violations of Public Service Rules, conflict of interest regulations, and alleged unlawful receipt of public funds.
According to the petition, Babayo Liman has allegedly continued to receive salaries, allowances and other entitlements from the Federal Government while simultaneously serving in the Bauchi State Government.
The group said, "Mr. Liman Babayo Othman Abubakar is alleged to be simultaneously occupying two public offices under separate governments, namely Office of the Chief Executive Officer (Accounts) under the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation posted to the Federal Ministry of Works, Jos, Plateau state; and Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Bauchi State on Internal Security".
"The simultaneous occupation of the above offices raises serious questions regarding compliance with extant Public Service Rules, ethics of public office, conflict of interest regulations, and eligibility to hold two remunerated government positions concurrently".
"Despite actively serving and receiving salaries, allowances, and other financial benefits from the Bauchi State Government as a Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Internal Security, Mr. Liman Babayo Othman Abubakar has continued to receive salaries, allowances, and other entitlements from the Federal Government for several years without effectively reporting to his federal duty post", CRI further alleged.
CRI also alleged that the arrangement dates back nearly two decades, spanning previous administrations in the state, and called for a comprehensive investigation into his service records, attendance history, salary payments and deployment status.
"We are further informed that this alleged practice of simultaneously receiving double salaries and benefits from both the Federal Government and the Bauchi State Government has started for almost twenty (20) years, dating back to the administration of former Governor Malam Isa Yuguda, when the said Mr. Babayo Liman allegedly served as Senior Special Assistant on peace and conflict Resolution in Bauchi State while retaining his federal appointment".
"If established, such prolonged conduct amounts to unlawful enrichment, financial misconduct, abuse of office, conflict of interest, violation of Public Service Rules, and misappropriation of public funds, thereby occasioning substantial financial loss to the Federal Government over a prolonged period".
The NGO therefore requested for an immediate internal investigation into the service records, attendance history, salary payments, and deployment status of Mr. Liman Babayo Othman Abubakar, and verify whether he has continuously received salaries and allowances from the Federal Government while simultaneously serving under the Bauchi State Government.
The organisation urged the relevant authorities to recover any public funds found to have been unlawfully received, suspend salary payments where necessary pending investigation, and refer the matter to anti-corruption agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), for further action.
CRI also prayed for appropriate disciplinary measures in line with the Public Service Rules and other extant laws if the suspect was found culpable.
It also requested forwarding the matter to relevant investigative and anti-corruption agencies for further investigation and possible prosecution where necessary.
Counsel A. S. Idris, Esq further requested the reversal of all Babayo Liman Othman Abubakar's previous promotion prior to dismissal from service as provided by the law, if found guilty, as he copied the petition to relevant government's MDAs for necessary actions.
The petition was copied to Zonal Commander, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Gombe Zonal Command, Gombe, the State Director, Code of Conduct Bureau, Federal Secretariat Complex, Bauchi, State Commissioner Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), Bauchi, the Director, Department of State Services, Bauchi State Command, 'Yandoka Road, Bauchi.
Others are Commissioner of Police, Bauchi State Police Command, "Yandoka Road, Bauchi, the Chairman, Federal Civil Service Commission , Wuse-Abuja, the Federal Controller of Works,
Jos Field Office Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Federal Secretariat, Tudun Wada, Jos, Plateau State, the Accountant-General of the Federation, Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, Federal Ministry of Finance Headquarters, Abuja - Nigeria, and Bauchi state Governor Bala Mohammed.
However, when contacted, Babayo Liman denied the allegations, describing them as baseless and unsupported by evidence.
He stated that neither the Bauchi State Government nor the Federal Government had made any official pronouncement on the matter despite the allegations circulating on social media, adding that he was consulting with his legal team and would respond appropriately.
According to him "Since the allegation started trending on social media, neither the Bauchi state government nor the federal government utter a word on it."
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