Three local government chairmen in Kano State have been suspended for three months after the Kano State House of Assembly adopted a committee report alleging financial misappropriation, abuse of office and other acts of misconduct against them.

The affected chairmen are Bello Abdullahi Gadanya of Bagwai Local Government Area, Alhassan Salisu of Bebeji Local Government Area and Abubakar Mustapha of Rogo Local Government Area.

The decision was taken during Tuesday’s plenary following the presentation of the report by Aliyu Muhammad, chairman of the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. The session was presided over by Ismail Falgore, speaker of the Assembly.

Muhammad said the committee investigated separate petitions against the three council chairmen after the Assembly referred the complaints for legislative scrutiny. He said the panel reviewed documentary evidence from the affected councils and held interactive sessions with their respective legislative councils before reaching its conclusions.

According to the committee, its findings indicated alleged misappropriation of public funds earmarked for developmental projects in Bagwai Local Government Area.

In Bebeji, the committee reported allegations of abuse of office, repeated violations of due process in contract awards and execution, improper sale of council land, diversion of public funds, unlawful deductions from contractors’ payments and other procurement irregularities.

The report further alleged that contractors were directed to pay contract funds into accounts allegedly nominated by the council chairman, contrary to existing financial and procurement regulations.

For Rogo Local Government Area, the committee accused the council chairman of undermining government policies, violating administrative procedures, abusing his office and allegedly 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 comprehensive investigation, citing the Assembly’s oversight powers under Sections 128 and 129 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

During deliberations, Mudassir Ibrahim, the Assembly’s chief whip, said public officials accused of financial misconduct should be subjected to thorough investigations to strengthen accountability and promote good governance.

The House subsequently adopted the committee’s recommendations through a unanimous voice vote.

Announcing the resolution, Falgore suspended the three chairmen for an initial period of 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 directed the Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to conclude its investigation and submit a final report to the House within 10 weeks.