Senior Kano official returns N4.7m over paid arrears to state treasury

The Deputy Managing Director of the Refuse Management and Sanitation Board (REMASAB), Kano State, Alhaji Lamir Mukhtar Hassan, has returned over N4.7 million to the state government coffer after discovering it was mistakenly paid to him as a double arrears payment. 

Hassan explained that his arrears of N4,700,861.55 were cleared and paid to him in December 2024.

However, he was surprised to find the same amount credited to his account in January as an additional payment.

He told SolaceBase that realizing it was an error, he promptly returned the money to the state treasury on Monday. 

The rare act of honesty has earned widespread praise, with many commending Hassan for his integrity in a time of economic hardship. 

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In an exclusive interview with SolaceBase, Hassan said, “The money is not mine, so I don’t have the right to keep it. It belongs to the good people of Kano State. I returned it so the government can continue its efforts to improve the state.” 

Recounting the situation, Hassan explained, “When Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf appointed me, I experienced salary issues that persisted until October.

“My arrears for those months were paid in December. But on January 27, I received the same arrears again, which I knew was a mistake,” he added.

Noticing an 85 percent increment in his payment, Hassan became convinced it was an error and resolved to return the money.

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He provided SolaceBase with evidence, including bank documents, to confirm that the funds had been transferred back to the state government. 

Hassan also urged civil servants and the public to maintain honesty and integrity in their dealings.

“Let’s do our best to uphold honesty and avoid taking what doesn’t belong to us,” he said. 

The incident has sparked conversations about accountability in public service, with many praising Hassan’s actions as a model of integrity.