Three Local Government Chairmen suspended over alleged financial mismanagement
The Kaduna State House of Assembly on Tuesday, suspended three local government chairmen over alleged mismanagement of funds meant for projects in their localities.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the three local government chairmen are Mr Mathias Siman (PDP), Kaura, Mr Nasara Rabo (APC), Kagarko, and Mr Salasi Musa (PDP), Chikun.
The decision followed the submission of an investigation report on financial activities of five Local Government chairmen, earlier presented to the House.
The report, which was presented by the Chairman of the Adhoc Committee, Mrs Munira Tanimu (Lere East Constituency – APC), was unanimously adopted by the House.
Tanimu alleged that the affected chairmen did not adhere to due process in the discharge of their official responsibilities, as provided in Section 35 (23) of the Kaduna State Public Procurement Law, 2016.
“Recall that on July 18, 2023, the House mandated the ad-hoc committee on investigation, to as a matter of urgency, investigate the financial activities of five local governments.
“This is as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The committee thoroughly investigated the financial activities, including the capital and recurrent expenditures of the five local governments, namely, Chikun, Kaura, Kagarko, Soba and Birnin Gwari before writing its report,” she said.
The three chairmen were suspended for six months, pending further investigation, while their Birnin Gwari and Soba counterparts who were absolved of wrongdoing are to maintain their seats.
The suspended council’s chairmen were directed to vacate their offices and hand over to their vice chairmen.
They were also ordered not to be seen within the vicinity of their local government secretariats, pending the outcome of the investigation.
The Speaker of the Assembly, Mr Yusuf Liman, called on all political office holders to desist from embezzling public funds.
Liman added that whoever was found wanting would be punished according to the law and without sentiment. (NAN)
