The Justice Mikhail Abdullahi Investigative committee on the allegation of misconduct against suspended Chairman of Chanchaga local government Hon. Aminu Yakubu Ladan has Commenced its sitting in Minna.
The Committee in its first sitting took first testimonies from the legislative leader of the council Hon. Yahuza Saidu Etsu alleged that the legislative council Petitioned the suspended Chairman on nine allegations bothered on gross misconduct and misappropriation of the council'funds.
He told the Investigative Committee that the Petition was in pursuant to the power vested in legislative Council under the Niger State local government law Cap:77 Section 24 and 38 and in accordance with the procedures stipulated in the Niger State Local Government Gazette,
Among the allegations, according to the legislative leader, Include Gross misconduct and misappropriation of Council funds, which contravened section 38(1)(a) of the local government law,which stipulates that council funds must be expended strickly for approved purposes and with due process.
Testifying before the Committee Hon Yahuza Saidu further alleged that the suspended Chairman illegally allocated plots in the market, which according to him is a clear abuse of office and violation of land allocation regulations contrary to section 24(1)(a), which requires the council to act transparently in land related matters.
Equally the legislative leader told the Investigative Committee that the suspended Chairman and the directors refused to appear before the legislative council: which breached section 26 of the Local Government law,which mandates executive appointees to honour summons by the legislature for oversight Functions.
The legislative council leader,also alleged in his Petition that the suspended Chairman could not give account of funds in Minna development funds and failed to present periodic reports and financial breakdowns on key development allocations which he claimed contravened the principles of transparency under the fiscal responsibility framework and section 38(1)(d).
Yahua Saidu further alleged that Hon. Aminu Yakub Ladan while in office, illegally awarded contracts without legislative oversight.
Claiming that the Chairman breached the procurement procedure and circumvention to legislative scrutiny,as enshrined in section 39 of the Local Government law and the Niger State procurement guidelines.
The petitioner who spoke onbehalf of other legislative council described the suspended Chairman as incompetence and non- adherence to the rule of law, adding that the suspended Chairman has demonstrated consistent inability to uphold the Provision of the law " thereby undermining good governance and service delivery"
According to the house leader, the suspended Chairman, failed to provide council's Statement of accounts to legislators which he alleged contravened section 38(1)(a) which mandates executives to provide financial statements to the legislative body at specified intervals.
He told the investigative committee that alleged the Chairman among other allegations that he severally failed to honour invitations from the legislative council to him.
Testifying further,the house leader admitted that the Chairman awarded some contracts which include overhauling of three Hilux vans for Vigilante group and fencing of Niyikamgbe burial ground which is yet to be completed and the vehicles were no where to be found "after funds were released and approved by the legislative council.
