Attat community in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State has called for the removal of its District Head, Casmia Zamani Ango, following his conviction by a court for diversion of the community’s fertilizer.

Chairman of Attat Community Association, Patrick Tanko, who spoke to newsmen yesterday in Kaduna, the state capital, expressed dismay over the diversion and wondered why the District Head has refused to take the path of honour and step aside.

According to him, the diversion of the fertilizer and subsequent poor harvest has brought untold hardship to the people.

His words: “We have been vindicated and still maintain our stand on the call to the convicted District Head to resign or be deposed for the interest of the community’s integrity.

“This is the resolution of the community after its recent Town Hall meeting over this matter in Attat and we stand by it.

“We are therefore calling on the Kaduna State Government to wade into this issue in order to save the community from anarchy and disrepute.”

Chief Magistrate’s Court, Kafanchan, had on last April 30 sentenced Casmia Zamani Ango and Marshal Jacob, the then Councilor representing Madakiya Ward, of which Attat is a part, to a prison term of three months or in the alternative to pay a fine of N100,000 for the fertilizer diversion.

A copy of the judgment made available to newsmen said the two accused persons were brought to face trial on a direct criminal complaint of the offences of criminal conspiracy, criminal misappropriation, criminal breach of trust and cheating under sections 97, 308, 311, 315 and 322 of the Penal Code of Kaduna State.

In its sentence, the court said it was lenient on the convicts because of some of the reasons canvassed by their counsel and the fact that they are first time offenders who appear to be remorseful. The prison term is to run concurrently. The two were placed on bond for a period of one year in line with section 25 of the C.P.C. under the same term as their bail.

The embattled District Head of the Attat community when contacted on phone, declined to make any comment on the call for his removal by his community. When pressed further on the judgment passed by the Chief Magistrate Court and his conviction he insisted that he is not satisfied by the judgment and vowed to take all legal steps to challenge it.

•Photo shows Kaduna State Governor, Muktar Yero.

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