The Kano State House of Assembly has 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.
The decision followed the adoption of a report by the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs during Tuesday’s plenary, presided over by Speaker Ismail Falgore.
Presenting the report, Committee Chairman Aliyu Muhammad said the panel investigated separate petitions against the three council chairmen after the Assembly referred the complaints for legislative scrutiny.
He said the committee reviewed documents obtained from the affected local governments and held interactive sessions with their legislative councils before reaching its findings.
According to the report, the committee uncovered alleged misappropriation of public funds meant for development projects in Bagwai Local Government Area.
In Bebeji, the committee reported allegations of abuse of office, repeated 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 further alleged that contractors were directed to pay contract funds into accounts reportedly nominated by the council chairman, contrary to existing financial and procurement regulations.
The committee also accused the chairman of Rogo Local Government of undermining government policies, breaching administrative procedures, abusing his office and misappropriating funds allocated 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 completion of a full investigation, citing the Assembly’s oversight powers under Sections 128 and 129 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Supporting the recommendation, Chief Whip Mudassir Ibrahim said public officials facing allegations of financial misconduct should undergo proper investigation to strengthen accountability and good governance.
The House unanimously adopted the committee’s recommendations through a voice vote.
Announcing the resolution, Speaker Falgore suspended the three chairmen for three months and directed the vice chairmen of the affected local governments to assume office in acting capacities pending the outcome of the investigation.
He also instructed the committee to conclude its investigation and submit its report within 10 weeks, while directing the Clerk of the Assembly to formally notify the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
The affected chairmen are Bello Abdullahi Gadanya of Bagwai, Alhassan Salisu of Bebeji and Abubakar Mustapha of Rogo Local Government Areas.
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