From Mustapha Saye, Kaduna
The crisis rocking the Arewa Consultative Forum deepened on Monday as the National Executive Committee (NEC) suspended the Chairman of its Board of Trustees (BoT), Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu, over the alleged diversion of N1.4 billion from the Forum’s Endowment Fund.
In a communiqué issued after its meeting in Kaduna, the NEC also passed a vote of no confidence on Dalhatu and ordered a forensic audit of the Forum’s finances.
The statement was signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Professor Tukur Muhammad-Baba.
According to the NEC, the action followed recommendations by the Forum’s Code of Conduct and Ethics Committee (CCEC), which investigated a petition against the BoT chairman.
The committee reportedly found that funds from the N1.4 billion Endowment Fund were allegedly moved into accounts outside the approved financial structures without proper authorisation.
The committee further accused Dalhatu of exceeding his constitutional responsibilities.
Allegations against him include interference in financial administration and the constitution of committees without NEC approval.
The CCEC noted that the ACF constitution vests financial management and executive authority in designated organs of the Forum, while the BoT is limited to oversight functions.
The NEC said the suspension became necessary to protect the integrity, unity and accountability of the forum pending the outcome of investigations and the forensic audit.
The meeting was held amid security tension, as the NEC alleged that armed police officers sealed the ACF Secretariat in Kaduna ahead of the gathering.
Officials later relocated to another secured venue where the meeting was successfully conducted without interruption.
The Forum described the police action as an attempt to disrupt proceedings, but reaffirmed its commitment to upholding constitutional order and ensuring transparency in all its affairs.
