Kaduna assembly suspends three LG chairmen for ‘mismanaging’ public funds

The Kaduna house of assembly has suspended three local government chairmen over alleged mismanagement of funds meant for the execution of projects in their communities.

NAN reports that the decision which was taken on Tuesday followed the submission of an investigative report on the financial activities of five local government chairmen in the state.

Munirat Tanimu, member representing the Lere constituency and chairperson of the ad-hoc committee, submitted the report to the house. The report was unanimously adopted by the house.

Speaking on the infraction, Tanimu said the suspended LG chairmen did not follow due process while performing their official duties as stipulated 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,” she said.

“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.”

The affected chairmen are Mathias Siman, Kaura LGA, Nasara Rabo, Kagarko, and  Salasi Musa of Chikun.

The assembly suspended the three chairmen for six months and directed them to hand over to their respective deputies.

The remaining two chairmen of Birnin Gwari and Soba were acquitted and directed to maintain their positions.

The lawmakers said the suspended chairmen are not to be seen around the vicinity of their LG secretariats pending the conclusion of the investigation.