Councillors in Kumbotso Council of Kano State yesterday suspended the chairman, Alh. Kabiru Panshekara, for 14 months for alleged embezzlement of N177 million.
Subsequently, they passed vote of confidence in the vice-chairman, Alh. Sagir Panshekara, to take over the leadership of the council, pending the conclusion of the investigation against the chairman.
The councillors had earlier petitioned Governor Abdullahi Ganduje; the House of Assembly Speaker, Abdullazeez Gafasa; and security operatives in the state on the matter.
A letter of suspension signed by the speaker of the council, Yusuf Ibrahim, read in part: “The action of the legislative arm of the council is the sequel to the power vested on it as contained in part IV item (14)(1) of Kano State Local Government Law 2006, recommending the removal or suspension of the chairman of the council.”
According to the statement, the chairman was accused of misappropriating N90 million loading and uploading revenues generated by the council as well as the N54 million tenement rate in the last two years.
When contacted on the telephone, the embattled chairman said he was attending a meeting and promised to respond.
later.