Kano Assembly suspends three LG chairmen over alleged financial misconduct

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 forms of misconduct.

The decision followed the adoption of a report presented by the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs during Tuesday’s plenary session presided over by Speaker Ismail Falgore.

Chairman of the committee, Aliyu Muhammad, said the investigation was launched after the Assembly received separate petitions against the three local government chairmen. According to him, the committee reviewed documentary evidence from the councils and held meetings with their legislative arms before reaching its conclusions.

Allegations against the chairmen

The committee alleged that the Chairman of Bagwai Local Government, Bello Abdullahi Gadanya, was involved in the misappropriation of public funds allocated for development projects.

In Bebeji Local Government, Chairman Alhassan Salisu was accused of abuse of office, violating procurement procedures, unlawfully selling council land, diverting public funds and making illegal deductions from contractors’ payments.

The committee also alleged that contractors were directed to pay contract funds into accounts reportedly nominated by the council chairman, contrary to financial regulations.

For Rogo Local Government, Chairman Abubakar Mustapha was accused of undermining government policies, violating administrative procedures, abusing his office and misappropriating funds intended for feeder road construction and rural electrification projects in Unguwar Dawa and Hausawa Fulani communities.

Assembly orders investigation

The committee recommended the immediate suspension of the three chairmen pending the completion of a full investigation, citing the Kano State House of Assembly’s constitutional oversight powers.

During deliberations, Chief Whip Mudassir Ibrahim said public officials facing allegations of financial misconduct should be thoroughly investigated in the interest of accountability and good governance.

Following a unanimous voice vote, the Assembly adopted the committee’s recommendations.

Speaker Falgore subsequently announced the suspension of the three chairmen for an initial period of three months and directed the vice chairmen of the affected local government councils to assume office in acting capacities pending the outcome of the investigation.

He also instructed the committee to conclude its investigation and submit its final report to the House within 10 weeks, while directing the Clerk of the Assembly to formally communicate the resolution to the Kano State Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.