THE Kano State House of Assembly on Tuesday suspended the chairmen of Bagwai, Bebeji and Rogo Local Government Areas for three months over allegations of financial misappropriation, abuse of office and other acts of misconduct.
News Point Nigeria reports that the resolution followed the adoption of the report of the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, presented by its chairman, Aliyu Muhammad, during a plenary presided over by Speaker Ismail Falgore.
Muhammad said the committee investigated separate petitions against the three council chairmen after the Assembly referred the complaints to it for legislative scrutiny.
He said the committee examined documentary evidence obtained from the affected councils and held interactive sessions with their legislative councils before arriving at its findings.
According to the report, the committee established cases of alleged misappropriation of public funds earmarked for developmental projects in Bagwai Local Government Area.
In Bebeji, the committee said it uncovered credible allegations of abuse of office, persistent violations of due process in contract awards and execution, improper sale of council land, diversion of public funds, unlawful deductions from contract payments and other procurement irregularities.
It alleged that contractors were compelled to remit contract payments into accounts allegedly nominated by the council chairman, contrary to extant financial and procurement regulations.
The committee also reported that the Rogo Local Government chairman was accused of undermining government policies, violating administrative procedures, abusing his office and misappropriating funds meant for feeder road construction and electrification projects in Unguwar Dawa and Hausawa Fulani communities.
Muhammad recommended the immediate suspension of the three chairmen pending the conclusion of a full investigation, invoking the Assembly’s oversight powers under Sections 128 and 129 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Contributing to the debate, the Chief Whip, Mudassir Ibrahim, said public officials facing allegations of financial misconduct should be subjected to due investigation in the interest of accountability and good governance.
Following a unanimous voice vote, the House adopted the committee’s recommendations. Ruling on the matter, Speaker Falgore announced the suspension of the three council chairmen for three months and directed the vice chairmen of the affected local governments to take over in acting capacities pending the outcome of the investigation.
He also mandated the committee to conclude its investigation and submit its report to the House within 10 weeks, while directing the Clerk of the Assembly to immediately communicate the resolution to the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
The affected local government Chairmen include Bello Abdullahi Gadanya(Bagwai), Alhassan Salisu(Bebeji), and Abubakar Mustapha(Rogo).