Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has suspended Arc. Hauwa Hassan Tudun-wada, the Managing Director of the Kano State Urban Planning and Development Authority (KNUPDA).
The action follows allegations of irregularities in town planning activities across the state.
Nanu Kankarofi, the governor's media aide, announced the suspension on Thursday. He said it's part of efforts to clean up the urban planning sector and tackle reported violations in Kano metropolis.
A high-powered investigative committee has been set up by the office of Secretary to the State Government Alhaji Umar Faruk Ibrahim. The panel will probe KNUPDA's operations, illegal structures, and land-use violations within the state.
Dr. Dalhatu Aliyu Sani will chair the committee.
He heads both the Kano Geographic Information System (KANGIS) and the state's Special Task Force on Illegal Structures.
Musa Tanko Muhammad, Press Secretary to the SSG's office, confirmed the suspension in a separate statement. According to him, the government is committed to ensuring transparency during the probe.
"As part of measures to ensure transparency and facilitate an unhindered investigation, the Governor has directed the Managing Director of KNUPDA and the Authority's Director of Architecture to step aside for the duration of the investigation," the statement read.
Officials said the suspension would allow investigators to work without interference. No timeline was given for when the probe would be completed.
