Kano lawmakers order probe, suspend Bagwai, Bebeji, Rogo chairmen
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 misconduct.
The decision followed the adoption of the report of the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs during Tuesday’s plenary, presided over by Speaker Ismail Falgore.
Presenting the report, the committee chairman, Aliyu Muhammad, said the committee investigated separate petitions against the three council chairmen after the Assembly referred the complaints for legislative scrutiny.
He said the committee examined documentary evidence obtained from the affected councils and held interactive sessions with their legislative councils before reaching its conclusions.
According to the report, the committee established alleged cases of misappropriation of public funds earmarked for development projects in Bagwai Local Government Area.
In Bebeji, lawmakers said they uncovered allegations of abuse of office, repeated breaches 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.
The committee further alleged that contractors were compelled to pay contract funds into accounts allegedly nominated by the council chairman, contrary to financial and procurement regulations.
For Rogo Local Government, the committee accused the chairman of undermining government policies, violating 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 conclusion of a full investigation, citing the Assembly’s oversight powers under Sections 128 and 129 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
During the debate, the Chief Whip, Mudassir Ibrahim, said public officials accused of financial misconduct should undergo thorough investigations in the interest of accountability and good governance.
The House unanimously adopted the committee’s recommendations through a voice vote.
Speaker Falgore subsequently announced the suspension of 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 communicate the resolution to the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
The suspended chairmen are Bello Abdullahi Gadanya, Alhassan Salisu and Abubakar Mustapha.