…..-Set to conduct forensic audit of Forum’s finances immediately

The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has condemned the interference of the Board of Trustees (BOT) Chairman, Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu, in the finances of the Forum.

In a communique issued after its meeting held on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 and presided over by its Chairman, Mamman Mike Osuman, pursuant to Sections 13(1) (a) and 131(b) of the Forum’s Constitution, the NEC said Alhaji Dalhatu, according to the findings of the Code of Conduct and Ethics Committee (CCEC), assumed direct control in matters relating to the finances of the Forum even when he does not have such powers under the constitution of the Forum.

CCEC had reported to the NEC, Alhaji Dalhatu’s decision to change the domiciliation of the ACF’s bank account. The CCEC said, Alhaji Dalhatu in a letter dated November, 20, 2025, to Jaíz Bank, Kano East, Zoo Road, directed that the ACF’s account should be transferred to Saliha Rabiu Garba, of Bello Road Branch, because he would like to consolidate his relationship with Jaíz Bank with her. It said though the Secretary General of the Forum, Mallam Murtala Aliyu co-signed the letter, he was compelled to do so. Moreover, it said it was an aberration that Alhaji Dalhatu signed the letter as a signatory to the account, because as the BOT Chairman, he was not supposed to be a signatory to the Forum’s bank account.

The CCEC said on the management and administration of funds, the constitution of ACF provides for a carefully calibrated system to ensure transparency, accountability, and the separation of powers. It pointed out that according to the constitution, “All funds must be lodged in official accounts [Section 18(2)]; with the Secretary General being accounting officer [Section 18(4)], while Section 13(5) vests the custody and disbursement of funds in the Treasurer; and Section 12(3) requiring NEC to submit budget proposals for the BOT to approve”. These provisions, it said, provide no role for the BOT Chairman or any other official(s) over the Forum’s funds, thereby separating oversight from executive functions. The BOT is empowered only to supervise and ensure accountability, and not to administer Forum funds”.

In view of these anomalies, the CCEC recommended that a vote of no confidence be passed on the BOT Chairman, Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu. It also recommended that Alhaji Dalhatu’s membership of ACF be suspended.

The CCEC also recommended that a comprehensive forensic audit of ACF’s finances be undertaken immediately.

The NEC in the communique said it unanimously accepted and adopted all the CCEC’s recommendations, and directed NEC Chairman to take all necessary steps to give effect to the resolutions without delay.

NEC said that its action was further justified by a revelation that Alhaji Dalhatu had written a letter to Jaíz Bank of Kano East, Zoo Road, directing that the account should be transferred to Saliha Rabiu Garba, of Bello Road Branch, because he would like to consolidate his relationship with Jaíz Bank with her. “Nothing can be more obvious about Alhaji Dalhatu’s unwholesome intentions than the said letter”, it said.

NEC noted in the communique the unprecedented siege and sealing of ACF’s head office by the police and unanimously condemned, in the strongest terms, the illegal and illogical action as a direct and egregious assault on the constitutional rights of groups and individuals in Northern Nigeria and elsewhere in the country.

It demanded the immediate and unconditional reversal of the siege, the withdrawal of the NPF agents and the identification and taking of necessary disciplinary action against those responsible for the illegal action.

On a final note, the NEC extended its solidarity to Mallam Murtala Aliyu as Secretary General, who it implored to remain in office until the end of his term in December 2026.