The Kebbi State House of Assembly has taken decisive action, suspending the Chairman of Fakai Local Government Area, Muhammad Mahuta, from his position. The suspension, effective immediately, follows a damning investigative report that uncovered evidence of serious misconduct and a plan to sell public property.

A special committee of the Assembly was tasked with probing multiple allegations against the chairman. The investigation focused on three major issues: an attempt to sell five government-owned electrical transformers, the illegal allocation of public farmlands, and financial irregularities in a dam rehabilitation project.

Regarding the transformers, the committee found a troubling scheme. Chairman Mahuta initially claimed the transformers were sent for routine servicing. However, he later confessed to being part of a plan to sell them to a private buyer for N2.5 million each. Investigators presented concrete evidence showing that money had already moved into bank accounts connected to the planned sale.

The probe also revealed negligence in the allocation of government farmlands. The committee discovered that council officials under Mahuta’s leadership handed out lands without following the legal process. Furthermore, the project to rehabilitate the Mahuta Dam was found to be shrouded in mystery, as payments were made despite no company being officially awarded the contract.

Based on these findings, the House adopted the committee’s recommendations. These include Mahuta’s suspension for six months, the immediate start of the dam project, and the reversal of all illegally allocated farmlands. The lawmakers also praised a local security officer for professionally handling the transformer issue.

The motion for suspension was supported by members across party lines. The Speaker, Muhammad Usman, then declared the suspension in effect, removing Mahuta from office as the investigations into the scandals continue.