Niger govt’s panel to probe gross misconduct by suspended council chair

A three-man Investigative Committee constituted by the Niger State Government to investigate allegations of gross misconduct against the suspended Chairman of Chanchaga Local Council, Hon. Aminu Yakubu Ladan, has held its inaugural hearing.

The committee, which commenced sitting at IBB University Guest House, Minna, on Thursday, August 21, 2025, is set to conduct a thorough investigation and make recommendations to the state government.

Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, in compliance with the provisions of Section 31(3) of the Niger State Local Government Law 2001 (as amended), inaugurated the three-man investigative panel to examine the allegations of misconduct against the suspended Chairman of Chanchaga Local Government Council, Aminu Yakubu Ladan.

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The panel is headed by Justice Abdullahi Mikhail of the Niger State High Court, with Barrister Bala Marika and Abubakar Salisu as members.

The committee is mandated to investigate the allegations of gross misconduct levelled against the suspended council boss as contained in the resolutions dated 10th July 2025 and 28th July 2025, signed by the majority of councillors of the local government council, among other terms.

However, at the inaugural sitting, Chairman of the committee, Justice Mikhail Abdullahi, announced that a letter notifying the committee of a pending suit filed against the councillors was brought before it.

In the letter, Counsel to the suspended Chairman, Barr. Anthony Orifuminshe, drew the attention of the Investigative Committee to the interim order earlier granted by a High Court in Minna, restraining the suspension and impeachment of the respondent by the councillors.

He also argued that he was given short notice, which did not enable his client to prepare and appear at the committee’s inaugural hearing.

Counsel to the committee, Barr. Mohammed Nurain Baba, though conceding that the respondent was given short notice, objected to the Counsel to the Chairman, arguing that the order is now invalid as the case has been transferred to the High Court, Suleja, to start afresh (de novo).

Ruling on the matter, Chairman of the committee, Justice Mikhail Abdullahi, agreed with the submission of Counsel to the committee that the earlier interim order granted is ineffective.

He further held that the suspended Council Chairman was given short notice, thereby directing the Secretary of the Committee, Barr. Ibrahim Mohammed Babangida, to write a new letter to the embattled suspended Council Chairman to appear on Monday, August 25, 2025.

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