The Kaduna State House of Assembly on Tuesday 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 the financial activities of five local government chairmen earlier presented to the house.

The report, presented by the ad hoc committee chairman, Munira Tanimu (Lere East Constituency – APC), was unanimously adopted by the house.

Ms Tanimu alleged that the affected chairmen did not adhere to due process in discharging their official responsibilities as provided in section 35 (23) of the Kaduna State Public Procurement Law, 2016.

Last week, the house mandated the committee to investigate the financial activities of the chairs.

“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,” she said.

The three chairmen were suspended for six months, pending further investigation, while their Birnin Gwari and Soba counterparts were absolved of wrongdoing, are to maintain their seats.

The suspended council’s chairs were directed to vacate their offices and hand them over to the vice chairmen.

They were also ordered not to be seen near their local government secretariats, pending the outcome of the investigation.

The speaker of the assembly, Yusuf Liman, called on all political officeholders to desist from embezzling public funds.

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

(NAN)