The Kebbi state government has sacked three District Heads in three local government areas over gross misconduct, insubordination, abscondment, fraud and partisanship.
At a news briefing in Birnin Kebbi, Thursday night, the Chairman, Local Government Service Commission, Alhaji Mansur Shehu, said the action was in line with the Public Service Rules (PSR).
He gave the names of the deposed district heads as Allhaji Lawal Yakubu, Mai Arewan Yeldu in Arewa local government area, Malam Ahmed Sani, Sarkin Gabas Geza in Dandi LGA and Alhaji Tukur Aliyu, Jagwadejin Bakuwe in Suru LGA, all in Gwandu Emirate.
The chairman said their removal became necessary in view of the fact that management of the three local government councils formally lodged complaints with the commission against the affected district heads which made it obligatory for the commission to thoroughly and holistically investigate the matter in line with PSR.
The Chairman explained that the commission has been saddled with the responsibility to take displinary action against unified local government staff from grade level seven and above, district heads inclusive in line with the provision of section 163 (1) of Kebbi State Local Government Law 2008.
“In line with the above mandate, therefore, upon receipt of these complaints, the commission suspended the district heads to give room for further investigation for necessary action. Accordingly, three committees were constituted each headed by a Permanent Commissioner in-charge of the area,” he added.
The committees, he said, visited and interacted with both the management of the LGAs and the accused district heads, adding that after thorough investigation, the committees found substance in the submission by the local government councils.
“The district heads are charged with insubordination, gross misconduct, abscondment, fraud, and partisanship and travelling without permission as the case may be.
“In order to establish cogent and verifiable reasons and evidences presented by the committees, the commission referred the matter to the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice of the state for legal opinion and advice”, he explained.
Accordingly, the chairman said the Attorney General via three letters made his observation on each of the three cases sent to him by the commission, adding, that it also dwelt into further investigation based on the legal advice and came up with more substantiated evidences.
After consideration of all issues, the Commission conveyed full meeting on Dec. 19, 2023 and a review meeting on Jan. 4, 2024 in line with the laws of Kebbi, chapter 87 of 1996 as amended of the local government laws 2008 to reappraise all the cases and take a final decision in respect of the three district heads of Yeldu, Geza and Bakuwe.
