Jigawa suspends four LGA chairpersons over ‘misappropriation of funds’

The Jigawa house of assembly has suspended four LGA chairpersons over allegations of misconduct and misappropriation of public funds.

The suspension was announced on Wednesday after the adoption of the report of the house committee on local government oversight visits to the 27 LGAs in the state.

While presenting the report at the plenary, Aminu Zakari, chairman of the committee and member representing the Gwiwa constituency, asked the house to suspend the chairpersons of Auyo, Dutse, Gumel and Ringim LGAs.

Zakari said the findings in the report indicated that the chairpersons were involved in misconduct, negligence and misappropriation of public funds.

“That this honourable house should consider the suspension of chairmen of Auyo, Dutse, Gumel and Ringim from office for the suspicious allegations of misconduct, negligence of duties and injudicious spending of public without justification,” NAN quoted Zakari as saying.

“This is in line with the provision of the local government Law (CAP L8) of Jigawa State 2012, as well as the financial memorandum.

“Subsequently, the committee directed affected vice chairmen to take charge of their affairs of the councils.”

The committee chairman ordered the local government ministry to serve a warning to the Gwaram and Kazaure councils for failing to comply with the financial memorandum in discharging their duties.

He also asked the ministry to direct all the 27 LGAs to improve on their administrative and financial duties.

The committee directed the ministry to give letters of commendation to the Taura and Guri LGAs chairperson for fully complying with the administrative and financial regulations while carrying out their duties.