The Hisbah Board of Katsina State has issued an order for the prompt closure of the New Palace Hotel due to allegations of moral corruption involving underage girls.
Dr. Aminu Usman, also known as Abu Ammar, who holds the position of Commander General of Hisbah in the state, verified the closure to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Katsina.
Usman disclosed that the hotel had violated a previous agreement that was made with hoteliers across the state.
He mentioned that the hotel had contravened the regulations set by the board by allowing underage girls to reside on the premises.
During a recent inspection, it was discovered that two underage girls were sharing a room, which directly goes against Hisbah laws, he explained.
Usman highlighted that this incident was the second time that New Palace Hotel had been involved in such a violation, despite prior warnings and assurances from the hotel management to prevent a recurrence.
He stressed that a consensus had been reached during a collaborative meeting with hotel managers statewide, stipulating that no hotel should permit underage children to stay.
“Due to the hotel’s failure to comply with our regulations and fulfill the specified conditions, we have made the decision to close it down immediately,” he declared.
“We are committed to implementing reforms and upholding discipline in accordance with the state’s religious and cultural values to ensure enduring peace,” Usman concluded.
