The seven-man panel ordered by the Nasarawa State House House of
Assembly to investigate alleged financial misconduct of Governor Umaru
Tanko Al-Makura yesterday absolved him of all the 16 charges.Chairman of
the panel, Usman Shehu, who disclosed this at the sitting in Lafia, the
state capital, confirmed receiving a petition by the lawyers against
some members of the committee, but said the (panel) has no right to
disqualify themselves from performing their duty except by a competent
court.
The House said some members are card-carrying members of the
governor’s party, All Progressive Congress (APC), hence, their demand on
the Chief Judge, Justice Umaru Dikko to disband the panel.
The lawmakers on Monday declared the expected verdict of the panel null and void. But Justice Dikko ignored them.
However, there was a mild drama when the Assembly’s lawyer, Mr Ocha Ulegede, appeared before the panel yesterday asking the chairman and members to disqualify themselves.
The drama stared when Ulegede announced his appearance alongside another counsel, John Matthew and two others on behalf of the Assembly. He said: “Mr Chairman, we are appearing in protest because the composition of the committee has breached Section 188 (5) of the constitution as amended.
Mr. Ulegede, who said the House which has power under the Constitution to impeach Governor Al-Makura, urged the panel be disbanded, claiming the Chief Judge did not comply with Section 188 (5).
According to him, the persons to be appointed members of the panel should not be public servants, members of a a political party or people of questionable characters, but in the present situation, two members of the committee are card carrying members of a political party, one of them is a member of Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, who received his June salary from the state government.
He said the panel has no right by law to issue itself the guidelines to operate, as it is the duty of the state Assembly to do so. According to him, in constituting the panel, the Chief Judge has no absolute power to raise it, but subject to certain conditions as stated earlier.
But the governor’s lawyer, Mr. Ukachukwu Ukachukwu (SAN), urged the panel to disregard what his learned colleague said and dismiss the allegation against his client and write the Assembly that the allegations have not been proved by the House.
Mr. Usman, who commended the Assembly’s counsel for appearing before the panel even though in protest, said the issue raised by the lawyer was not within the power of the panel.
“We cannot disqualify ourselves. It is only a court of law that can disqualify us, but we noted your appearance for the state House of Assembly and we have taken note of that.”
The Assembly handed down an impeachment notice to Governor Al-Makura and a 16-count charge of alleged gross misconduct and misappropriation of state’s funds at its sitting on July 14 directing Justice Dikko to raise the probe panel.
The lawmakers on Monday declared the expected verdict of the panel null and void. But Justice Dikko ignored them.
However, there was a mild drama when the Assembly’s lawyer, Mr Ocha Ulegede, appeared before the panel yesterday asking the chairman and members to disqualify themselves.
The drama stared when Ulegede announced his appearance alongside another counsel, John Matthew and two others on behalf of the Assembly. He said: “Mr Chairman, we are appearing in protest because the composition of the committee has breached Section 188 (5) of the constitution as amended.
Mr. Ulegede, who said the House which has power under the Constitution to impeach Governor Al-Makura, urged the panel be disbanded, claiming the Chief Judge did not comply with Section 188 (5).
According to him, the persons to be appointed members of the panel should not be public servants, members of a a political party or people of questionable characters, but in the present situation, two members of the committee are card carrying members of a political party, one of them is a member of Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, who received his June salary from the state government.
He said the panel has no right by law to issue itself the guidelines to operate, as it is the duty of the state Assembly to do so. According to him, in constituting the panel, the Chief Judge has no absolute power to raise it, but subject to certain conditions as stated earlier.
But the governor’s lawyer, Mr. Ukachukwu Ukachukwu (SAN), urged the panel to disregard what his learned colleague said and dismiss the allegation against his client and write the Assembly that the allegations have not been proved by the House.
Mr. Usman, who commended the Assembly’s counsel for appearing before the panel even though in protest, said the issue raised by the lawyer was not within the power of the panel.
“We cannot disqualify ourselves. It is only a court of law that can disqualify us, but we noted your appearance for the state House of Assembly and we have taken note of that.”
The Assembly handed down an impeachment notice to Governor Al-Makura and a 16-count charge of alleged gross misconduct and misappropriation of state’s funds at its sitting on July 14 directing Justice Dikko to raise the probe panel.
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Impeachment: Gov Al-Makura not guilty – Panel |
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