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 May 6 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, 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 cosigned 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”.