The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has warned its suspended Board of Trustees (BoT) chairman, Alhaji Bashir M. Dalhatu, and an unnamed commercial bank against tampering with the forum’s N3.889 billion, saying it would pursue legal remedies against any individual or institution found to have mismanaged its funds.
The warning follows the leadership crisis that engulfed the apex northern socio-cultural organisation after its National Executive Committee (NEC) in May suspended Dalhatu over alleged financial misconduct and constitutional breaches.
Before his suspension, Dalhatu had directed some officials of the forum, including Secretary-General Mallam Murtala Aliyu, to vacate their offices on the grounds that their tenure had expired.
The dispute later escalated, prompting the police to seal the ACF national secretariat on Sokoto Road in Kaduna, a move authorities said was aimed at preventing a breakdown of law and order.
In a statement issued on Monday by the ACF National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Tukur Muhammad Baba, the forum dismissed the existence of a committee allegedly set up outside its constitutional structures, describing it as illegal and of no consequence.
“NEC warns persons morphed into the spurious Committee that and its operation are unrecognised and certainly ultra vires and futile. This is more so as, additionally, individuals being as bandied about as members of the committee are not bona fide members of ACF, by virtue of Section 5 (2) and (3) of the Forum’s Constitution,” the statement said.
The forum also expressed concern that its N3.889 billion remained lodged in a commercial bank at what it described as an uncompetitive interest rate.
“NEC further rues that ACF’s funds are still improperly trapped in a bank, earning an interest of a paltry rate of 8%, against proposals, received by NEC from financial institutions, to manage the funds at rates of up to 20% interest,” the statement added.
The ACF warned banks and other financial institutions against taking actions that could jeopardise its funds.
“NEC strongly warns financial institutions and individuals against misplaced cupidity, illegalities and improprieties in the management of any of its funds. These financial entities should note that ACF will take all necessary steps to seek remedies against such actions,” it stated.
Reaffirming its commitment to its founding objectives, the forum said it remained dedicated to promoting and defending the interests of Northern Nigeria within the framework of the law.
“In conclusion, NEC and NWC reassure ACF members and the public at large that the Forum remains committed to articulating and defending the interests of the peoples of Northern Nigeria within the nation’s laws,” the statement said.
The forum also defended the legitimacy of its current leadership structure, stressing that its Constitution clearly establishes five operational organs — the Patrons, General Assembly, Board of Trustees, National Executive Committee and National Working Committee — and outlines their respective powers and responsibilities.
According to the statement, the Constitution also empowers the NEC to establish standing committees, adding that state chapter chairmen and secretaries, by virtue of Section 9(1) of the Constitution, are members of the NEC and cannot operate independently of it.
The statement further disclosed that the National Working Committee, at its meeting held in Kaduna on June 19, 2026, reaffirmed its confidence in Mr. Mamman Mike Osuman, SAN, OFR, as chairman, and Mallam Murtala Aliyu as secretary-general of both the NEC and the NWC.
The forum said the meeting condemned what it described as attempts by some individuals to undermine the organisation and vowed to invoke its disciplinary procedures where necessary.
“The meeting also expressed dismay at the egregious development, vowing to refer any ACF member to the Code of Conduct and Ethics Committee (CCEC) for investigation and sanction as may be appropriate.
“The purported online ‘meeting’ of, and decisions from it, were therefore false, fabricated, mischievous and obviously concocted by shadowy elements who do not wish well for Arewa or the ACF.
“It was not indeed a surprise that many of such chapters have since come out to debunk participation in the said meeting, objected to and/or dissociated from the advertised decisions,” the statement added.
