The Civilian Joint Task Force in Borno has suspended its president, Lawan Ja’afar, over the alleged misappropriation of vehicles donated to the organisation by the state government.

The suspension was announced by Bashir Abbas, the auditor general of the group, at a news conference in Maiduguri on Sunday.

Mr Abbas said the decision was reached after a series of meetings and deliberations by the leadership and members of the organisation.

Citing Article 6 Rule 2 (vi) of the CJTF Constitution, he said the leadership unanimously decided to suspend Mr Ja’afar, who is alleged to have misappropriated some Hilux vehicles given to the organisation by the Borno government for operational purposes.

“He also diverted two other Hilux vehicles given to the organisation by NNPCL for operational purposes too.

“The leadership is also announcing to the general public its decision, pursuant to Article 6, Rule 1 of the CJTF Constitution, to appoint Baba Shehu Abdulganiyu as the acting president of the organisation, who doubles as the commander of Sector 4 CJTF.

“The leadership has also decided to reinstate Babakura Mustapha, Mr Abba Aji Kalli, Abba Tijjani Sadiq, and  Barr. Jibrin Tela Gunda, who were suspended from 2022,” he said.

Reacting, Mr Jafar said his suspension cannot stand as five people cannot suspend him out of 27.

He dismissed the allegation that he diverted 13 Toyota Hilux vehicles donated by the Borno government, noting that the vehicles were sold to all members as scraps, which he also bought some of them. 

(NAN)