Barely 24 hours after Islamic cleric, Sheikh Tijjani Bala Kalarawi, announced his resignation from Fagge Juma’at Mosque committee in Kano over shops construction scandal on its premises, the state Assembly has ordered the immediate halt of structures construction.
The cleric had reportedly accused the committee of allocating most of the mosque’s land for shops construction without accounting for it or using any part of it to maintain the mosque.
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Fagge mosque is considered the biggest Juma’at mosque in Kano metropolis in terms of landmass.
But speaking while presiding over plenary on Tuesday, Hamisu Ibrahim Chidari, the speaker, ordered immediate suspension of all construction of structures in the mosque premises.
He also established a nine-man committee to look into the allegations.
This follows a motion of matters of urgent public interest moved by the member representing Dala Constituency, Lawan Hussaini.
Hussaini described the development as disheartening.
The motion was said to have generated a series of debate on the floor of the house.
The committee, which is expected to submit its report to the house in two weeks, will be headed by Muhammad Uba Gurjiya, member representing Bunkure constituency.
Other members of the committee are Sunusi Usman Bataiya, Magaji Dahiru Zarewa, Nuhu Abdullahi Achika, Lawan Hussaini, Abubakar Dalladi Isa Kademi, Muhammad Tukur and Sale Ahmed Marke, while Deputy Director Legal Services of the house will serve as its Secretary.
Kano has recently been in the news for different land scandals involving sale of public properties and converting shops for commercial activities.
