Kebbi State Assembly Suspends Fakai Local Government Chairman Over Misconduct

The Kebbi State House of Assembly has suspended Muhammad Mahuta, Chairman of Fakai Local Government Area, over allegations of gross misconduct and negligence of duty.

The decision followed the adoption of a report by a House Special Committee, chaired by Salihu Dangoje, during Wednesday’s plenary session.

The committee investigated allegations against Mahuta, including the attempted sale of five electrical transformers, illegal allocation of government farmlands, and irregularities in the rehabilitation of Mahuta Dam.

According to the report, Mahuta initially claimed the transformers had been sent for servicing with the approval of a KEDCO official. He later admitted his involvement in a plan to sell the transformers to a private buyer for N2.5 million each. Evidence indicated that funds had been transferred into accounts linked to the transaction.

The panel also found that some council officials had allocated farmlands without following due process and uncovered inconsistencies in the Mahuta Dam rehabilitation project, noting that no company had officially been awarded the contract despite payments being made.

Based on these findings, the committee recommended Mahuta’s six-month suspension, immediate commencement of the dam project, revocation of the illegally allocated farmlands, and commendation of the NSCDC officer in Fakai for professionally handling the transformer issue.

The motion for suspension was moved by Muhammad Buhari (APC-Aliero) and seconded by Nura Kangiwa (APC-Arewa). Speaker Muhammad Usman announced that the suspension takes immediate effect.