Kaduna Assembly suspends 3 LG chairmen over embezzlement

The Kaduna State House of Assembly has suspended three local government chairmen over alleged mismanagement of funds meant for projects in their localities.

The three local government chairmen are Mathias Siman (PDP), Kaura; Nasara Rabo (APC), Kagarko; and 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 ad hoc committee, Munira Tanimu (Lere East Constituency–APC), on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, was unanimously adopted by the House.

Tanimu stated 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.

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She said: “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.”

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 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 House, Yusuf Liman, called on all political officeholders to desist from embezzling public funds.

Liman added that whoever was found wanting would be punished according to the law and without sentiment.

The Star