EXCLUSIVE: Two Petitions Accuse ABUTH Director Buhari Zailani of Alleged Age Falsification, False Barrister Title and Irregular Appointment

The petitions urge the Federal Ministry of Health to investigate his service records, verify his legal qualifications and examine allegations of abuse of office and staff victimisation.

TRACKNEWS ONLINE

Two separate petitions submitted to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare have called for an investigation into Buhari Zailani, the Director of Administration at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria, over allegations bordering on age falsification, the use of an unverified barrister title, irregular transfer of service and alleged abuse of office.

The petitions, dated September 26 and October 15, 2026, were submitted by the Zaria Network for Justice and human rights activist Barrister Abdullahi Halilu, respectively.

Both petitions raised questions about Zailani’s employment history, professional qualifications, personnel records and administrative conduct, urging the relevant authorities to independently verify the claims and take appropriate action if any wrongdoing is established.

The allegations remain unproven, and the petitions do not, by themselves, establish that any offence has been committed.

ALLEGED FOUR-YEAR ALTERATION OF DATE OF BIRTH

In its petition dated September 26, the Zaria Network for Justice, through its Secretary, Barrister Dantani Garba Kadade, alleged that Zailani altered his recorded year of birth from 1969 to 1973.

The group claimed that the earlier date was recorded when he was employed at the Federal College of Education, Zaria, but alleged that subsequent records at the college and ABUTH reflected 1973.

According to the petitioners, the alleged alteration could extend his period of service by four years if established.

The group cited Public Service Rules 100402(b) and 100402(c), arguing that falsification of official records and alteration of an employee’s date of birth after entering service are serious matters requiring investigation.

It urged the authorities to retrieve Zailani’s personnel files from the Federal University of Education, Zaria, and ABUTH to establish his correct date of birth and determine whether any alteration occurred.

The petitioners further asked the authorities to establish whether any overstay in service had occurred and, if so, determine whether a refund of salaries was legally warranted.

QUESTIONS OVER CLAIMED BARRISTER STATUS

The first petition also questioned Zailani’s use of the title Barrister in his official capacity.

The Zaria Network for Justice alleged that he identifies himself as Barrister Buhari Zailani in ABUTH and uses the abbreviation “Barr.” in official documents and on his office nameplate.

The petitioners claimed that his personal file at the hospital did not contain a qualifying certificate from the Nigerian Law School, a call-to-bar certificate or an enrolment number at the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

The second petition, submitted by Halilu on October 15, raised similar concerns, alleging that questions had been raised about whether Zailani completed or passed the Nigerian Law School.

Halilu argued that the claims required independent verification to establish the authenticity of any legal qualifications presented to the hospital’s management.

The Zaria Network for Justice cited provisions of the Legal Practitioners Act and the Penal Code in calling for an investigation into the alleged use of the title.

It also urged the Nigerian Bar Association to examine the matter and take appropriate steps if the allegations were substantiated.

However, the petitions’ claims concerning Zailani’s legal qualifications have not been independently established in the material available for this report.

ALLEGED FAILURE TO DOCUMENT CREDENTIALS

Both petitioners raised concerns about the alleged absence of relevant credentials and supporting documents in Zailani’s personnel file.

The Zaria Network for Justice cited Public Service Rule 020203, while Halilu referred to Rule 020801, in support of their calls for proper documentation and verification of the Director’s qualifications.

The petitioners argued that the relevant authorities should examine his personnel records to establish whether all required certificates and employment documents were submitted and properly documented.

They called for a comprehensive review of his qualifications, appointment history, promotions and other administrative records.

ALLEGED IRREGULAR TRANSFER OF SERVICE

Halilu’s petition further questioned the circumstances surrounding Zailani’s appointment as Director of Administration at ABUTH.

The activist alleged that Zailani assumed the position without a proper transfer of service from his previous establishment, identified in the petition as the Federal University of Education, Zaria.

He cited Federal Civil Service Rule 030401, arguing that the circumstances of the appointment should be examined to determine whether the applicable procedures were followed.

The petition also questioned the presentation of May 2, 2025, as Zailani’s first appointment date, claiming that available records indicated he began his career in January 1993 at the Federal College of Education, Zaria.

According to Halilu, records also indicated that Zailani attained CONTEDISS 15, described in the petition as equivalent to the rank of Director, on October 1, 2018.

The petitioner further alleged that Zailani’s salary was stopped for three months and was subsequently paid on a non-regular basis.

He also claimed that Zailani failed to complete and submit a form issued by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation under reference OHCSF/3065/Vol.1/225 in February 2025.

The form, according to the petition, was directed at officers on the rank of Director and equivalent positions, with a submission deadline of April 20, 2026.

The allegations concerning his appointment, salary status and submission of the form require confirmation from the relevant public service authorities.

PROMOTION DELAYS AND ALLEGED VICTIMISATION OF STAFF

The petitions also raised concerns about Zailani’s alleged treatment of employees and the administration of promotion exercises at the teaching hospital.

Halilu accused the Director of contributing to delays in the 2026 promotion exercise, allegedly to the disadvantage of eligible staff members.

He further expressed concern that some employees could face victimisation or unfair treatment during the exercise, calling for safeguards to ensure that promotions are conducted according to established procedures.

The Zaria Network for Justice similarly accused Zailani of allegedly threatening staff, denying promotion to qualified officers and favouring individuals it described as his cronies.

The group characterised the alleged conduct as a possible abuse of office and cited Public Service Rule 100401 and Section 19 of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission Act, 2000.

These claims have not been independently verified, and no findings of wrongdoing have been established in the information contained in the petitions.

ALLEGED BREACH OF SENIORITY IN DEPARTMENTAL APPOINTMENTS

Halilu’s petition also questioned the appointment of heads of departments within the hospital.

He alleged that junior officers had been appointed to head certain departments despite the presence of more senior officers.

The departments specifically named were Physiotherapy, Finance and Accounts, and Works and Maintenance.

The petitioner cited Public Service Rule 020908, arguing that the applicable provisions on seniority and acting appointments should be examined.

He also alleged the alteration and falsification of official records and documents with the intention of misleading the hospital’s management.

The petition called for an investigation into the appointments and the records supporting the decisions.

PETITIONERS DEMAND INVESTIGATION AND POSSIBLE PROSECUTION

The Zaria Network for Justice requested that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission investigate the alleged alteration of Zailani’s date of birth and pursue prosecution if sufficient evidence of an offence is established.

It also called on the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to retrieve and examine his personnel files from the relevant institutions.

The group further urged the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to direct the hospital’s management to consider appropriate interim measures pending the outcome of an investigation.

It also asked the Nigerian Bar Association to investigate the allegations concerning his use of the barrister title and take appropriate action if they are substantiated.

In his separate petition, Halilu asked the ministry to conduct an independent and thorough investigation into the allegations.

He specifically requested the retrieval and verification of Zailani’s employment records from the Federal College of Education, Zaria, and ABUTH, including his appointment documents, promotion history, qualifications and other records relevant to his public service career.

ABUTH WEBSITE LISTS ZAILANI AS DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION

The allegations are significant because Buhari Zailani is publicly identified as the Director of Administration at ABUTH.

According to the information contained in the material reviewed for this report, the hospital’s official website lists him in that position under the leadership of Chief Medical Director Professor Ahmed Umdagas Hamidu.

The material also indicates that Zailani has continued to appear at public functions in his official capacity during 2026, receiving visitors and representing the hospital’s Board of Management, management and staff.

However, his official position does not, on its own, establish the validity or otherwise of the allegations contained in the petitions.

The central issues now requiring clarification include the authenticity of his date-of-birth records, the status of his legal qualifications, the circumstances of his appointment and transfer of service, and the allegations concerning staff administration.

CALL FOR OFFICIAL RESPONSE

The two petitions have placed the allegations before the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, with the petitioners seeking intervention from the relevant public service and anti-corruption authorities.

TRACKNEWS ONLINE recognises that allegations of this nature require documentary evidence, an impartial investigation and an opportunity for the person concerned to respond.

The allegations against Zailani have not been established as facts by the petitions alone. Any decision on disciplinary action or prosecution should follow due process and be based on verified evidence.

As of the information available for this report, no official finding establishing the allegations has been presented.

TRACKNEWS ONLINE will report any response from Buhari Zailani, the management of ABUTH, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, or the relevant authorities as further information becomes available.