The Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs of the Jigawa State House of Assembly has indicted four local council chairmen for financial misappropriation involving over N942,033,814.
The committee’s report, presented during a plenary session presided over by Speaker, Haruna Aliyu Dangyatin, revealed the misconduct discovered during oversight functions in the state’s 27 local government areas.
It was reported that the Jigawa State House of Assembly has suspended the four local government council chairmen.
Chairman of the House committee, Aminu Zakari, disclosed that the lawmakers unanimously approved the suspension of the implicated chairmen – Alhaji Muhammad Sani (Dutse), Bala Usman Chamo (Gumel), Ahmed Rufa’i (Ringim), and Alhaji Shehu Sule Udi (Auyo).
The report detailed the allegations, including unauthorized payments, illegal transactions and financial irregularities.
Sani of Auyo faced accusations of making payments without vouchers, while Chamo of Dutse was suspended over N240,001,082 worth of illegal transactions.
Rufa’i of Gumel was accused of misappropriating over N543.6 million, diverting ecological funds, and making questionable payments to individuals.
In the same vein, Udi of Ringim was accused of administrative lapses and financial malpractices.
The committee, in the recommendations submitted to the House, said the chairmen should face indefinite suspension, pending further investigations into the allegations, in line with the local government law of Jigawa State.
The vice chairmen will lead the respective local councils during the period.
