According to Salihu Ladan on Symfoni TV from 26:21 on Friday, September 4, 2026, the former Director-General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) recalled an emotional experience involving former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, during his time serving under Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed.
Ladan, who spoke about his experience while discussing integrity in public service, said he served as Chief of Staff to Governor Mohammed and previously worked as the governor’s Commissioner of Information.
“I was Chief of Staff to the Governor of Bauchi State, Bala AbdulGad Muhammad, Senator Bala Muhammad,” Ladan said.
He added, “The incumbent governor. Before then, I was his Commissioner of Information.”
Ladan said an encounter involving Justice Tanko Muhammad left him deeply emotional, recounting how he privately wept after discovering what he described as the former Chief Justice’s modest personal circumstances.
“I wept quietly in my office one night,” he said.
According to Ladan, the incident occurred after Governor Mohammed had sent him on an errand. Upon returning, he discovered that the governor had an appointment with Justice Tanko Muhammad, whom Ladan described as a former Chief Justice of Nigeria who had passed away.
“And upon my return, he had an appointment with the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, of blessed memory,” Ladan said.
Ladan explained that he decided to accompany the governor’s driver to meet the former Chief Justice as a mark of respect.
“So, at about 8:00, I said, ‘Okay, I will personally go with a driver to accompany him to see the governor as a mark of respect,’” he recalled.
He initially explained that the governor wanted to visit Justice Tanko Muhammad, but said the former Chief Justice insisted on coming to meet the governor instead.
“He now insisted that no, as a mark of respect, he was in Bauchi. He was in Bauchi. He wanted to come and pay his respects to the governor, Chief Judge,” Ladan said.
However, Ladan said the visit itself was not the main reason for his emotional reaction. He said what affected him was what he subsequently learned about the former judicial officer’s personal property.
“But that’s not the story. The story, my brother, was that we discovered at the time he retired,” Ladan said.
He then made the central point of his recollection.
“Justice Tanko did not have a house, a single house, in Bauchi,” Ladan said.
Ladan’s account was presented as an illustration of what he considers personal integrity and modesty in public service. His remarks formed part of a broader discussion on the judiciary, public office and the standards expected of those entrusted with important national responsibilities.