Group Petitions AGF, Alleges Bauchi Governor’s Aide Received Dual Salaries for Nearly 20 Years

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A civil society organisation, Community Rescue Initiative (CRI), has petitioned the Accountant-General of the Federation, alleging that a Senior Special Assistant to Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, Mr. Liman Babayo Othman Abubakar, popularly known as Babayo Liman, has been receiving salaries from both the Federal Government and the Bauchi State Government simultaneously for nearly two decades.

According to the petition, Babayo Liman currently serves as Senior Special Assistant on Internal Security to the Bauchi State Governor while allegedly retaining his appointment as Chief Executive Officer (Accounts), Salary Grade Level 14, under the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation and posted to the Federal Ministry of Works in Jos, Plateau State.

The petition, signed by legal practitioner A.S. Idris on behalf of CRI, alleged that Liman has continued to receive salaries, allowances and other benefits from the Federal Government despite serving in successive political appointments in Bauchi State and allegedly failing to report to his federal duty post.

The group further claimed that the alleged dual-salary arrangement dates back to the administration of former Bauchi State Governor Isa Yuguda, when Liman reportedly served as Senior Special Assistant on Peace and Conflict Resolution while maintaining his federal appointment.

CRI described the alleged conduct as a potential case of unlawful enrichment, financial misconduct, abuse of office, conflict of interest and misappropriation of public funds.

The organisation alleged that Liman has remained absent from his duty station at the Federal Ministry of Works in Jos for several years while continuing to benefit from federal payroll allocations.

The petition urged the Accountant-General of the Federation to investigate Liman’s service records, deployment status, attendance history and salary payments. 

It also called for the suspension of any further salary payments pending the outcome of investigations, recovery of funds found to have been unlawfully received, and appropriate disciplinary action if the allegations are established.

In addition, CRI requested that the matter be referred to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for possible criminal investigation and prosecution.

Documents attached to the petition reportedly include promotion records from the Federal Civil Service Commission showing Liman’s elevation to Chief Executive Officer (Accounts), previous promotion letters, and his appointment letter as Senior Special Assistant on Internal Security to the Bauchi State Governor.

Reacting to the allegations, Babayo Liman declined to directly address the claims, stating that issues relating to his employment status and service records were matters for the relevant authorities.

“It is up to my employer to decide and not the so-called petitioners,” he said.

He added that his legal team was studying the petition and would advise him accordingly.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the Bauchi State Government nor the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation had publicly responded to the allegations..