ACF suspended BoT chairman for alleged misconduct

The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has suspended the Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BOT), Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu, over alleged misconduct.

The NEC ordered a comprehensive forensic audit of the organization’s finances.

The decision follows an emergency NEC meeting held in Kaduna on Wednesday, according to ACF National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Tukur Mohammed Baba.

Baba, who briefed journalists shortly after the meeting, said that the NEC also passed a motion of no confidence against Dalhatu based on preliminary findings of the forum’s Ethics and Conduct Committee.

He explained that the suspension was not punitive in nature but aimed at ensuring a transparent and unimpeded investigation into the allegations contained in the petition against the BOT chairman.

“The NEC has approved the suspension of the BOT chairman and ordered an immediate forensic audit of ACF’s entire finances, not just the endowment fund.

“This is to ensure accountability and recover funds that were not used properly in accordance with the forum’s constitution,” said Baba.

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He added that the committee found evidence indicating financial irregularities and violations of due process, and noted that the BOT chairman failed to respond to questions or appear before the investigative panel.

He said the NEC reiterated that there was no leadership crisis in the forum, and described the latest developments as an attempt to misinterpret and usurp constitutional power.