AWKA – The Anambra State Government has set up a seven-member panel to investigate the allegation of gross misconduct levelled against the impeached Chairman of Onitsha South Local Council Area, Mrs Ann Chukwuneke.
Chukwuneke was impeached by a two-thirds majority of councillors during a plenary at the council’s legislative chamber on Oct. 30.
Inaugurating the panel at the Judiciary Headquarters, Awka, on Tuesday, the state Chief Judge, Justice Peter Umeadi, charged the panel to submit its report within three months.
“The constitution of this panel is based on the provision of Section 66 (4) of the Local Government Law 1999, Law No. 5 of 2000 of Anambra State of Nigeria and other enactments.
“Your duty is to look into the allegations of gross misconduct against the chairman.”
While giving assurance that the state judiciary would provide the panel with the necessary logistics, he enjoined the members to give all parties fair hearing and equal treatment.
“The accused person has the right to appear before the panel and with the aid of legal practitioners.”
Responding, the Chairman of the panel, Mr Linus Nweke, promised that the panel would to be fair to all in the discharge of its duties.
The panel has Mr Peter Ogudebe as Secretary and Mr Ifeanyi Nnaobi, Mr Emeka Ogugua, Mr Anslem Afoka, Mr Charles Okafor and Mr Paull Orjiewulu as members.
Chukwuneke was accused of breaching Section 2 (E) amendments 2014 of the 1999 Local Government Law.
She was further accused of not rendering monthly statements of income and expenditure as well as siphoning revenue accruing to the council, among others. (NAN)