ACF: Why did we suspend the president of the BOT – NEC

The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Arewa Consultative Forum said it has suspended the chairman of its Board of Directors (BOT), Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu, for alleged diversion of funds and violations of the Forum’s constitution.

NEC clarified this in a statement issued after the meeting held in Kaduna, where it also passed a vote of no confidence in the BOT president and ordered a forensic audit of the Forum’s finances.

According to the statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Professor Tukur Muhammad-Baba, the decision follows the adoption of the recommendations of the Forum Code of Conduct and Ethics Committee (CCEC), which investigated allegations contained in a petition against Dalhatu.

NEC said the suspension was necessary following allegations that funds from the Forum’s $1.4 billion Endowment Fund were moved into accounts outside approved financial structures without proper authorization.

It also accused the BOT chairman of taking actions outside his constitutional role, including alleged interference in financial administration and the establishment of committees without the approval of the NEC.

The statement states that the CCEC considered that the ACF’s constitution clearly vests financial management and executive authority in designated bodies of the Forum, while the BOT is limited to supervisory functions.

NEC added that its decision was also driven by the need to protect the integrity, unity and accountability of the Forum, pending the outcome of ongoing investigations and a full audit of its finances.

The Forum also noted reports of a security presence at its premises ahead of the meeting, describing it as an attempt to disrupt its proceedings, but said members had successfully moved in and held the meeting without interruption.

The NEC reiterated its commitment to upholding the constitutional order within the Forum and ensuring transparency in all its activities.