LAFIA – Governor Tanko Al-makura of Nasarawa State has appeared before the probe panel constituted by the State Chief Judge to answer allegations of misconduct and misappropriation levelled against him by the State House of Assembly.
Mr Al-makura arrived at the venue of the panel sitting in Lafia, the state’s capital, at about 9.00am local time in company of his close aides and was received by his cabinet members.
The governor in company of his legal team led by Mr Nnoruka Udechukwu, to guide his response to the 16-point allegation, looked prepared for the panel, as they review and make some notes ahead of the session.
Heavy security presence is seen at the Ministry for Local Government, venue of the sitting, located along Shendam Road. Men of the Nigerian police, department of state service and civil defence corpse were there to maintain civil peace.
The sitting commenced with the chairman addressing parties on the rules of the procedure, asking both the State Assembly and the governor, to address the panel in person or through appointed legal representative.[eap_ad_2]
He also set out the time frame of three months for the panel sitting, everyday of the week, including Sundays and public holidays, to fast track the process.
However, there was no representation by the lawmakers, either in persons or through legal representation. There was no representation as the panel presented proof of service on the lawmakers.
The 20 Peoples Democratic Party lawmakers, pushing for the impeachment of the governor, last week rejected the composition of the probe panel and subsequently directed the Chief Judge, via a resolution at a sitting in an undisclosed hotel at Karu Local government, to disband the panel, saying they have no faith in its membership.
The most important of the rules guiding the process is that, “should any party fail to appear before it, the panel will not be hindered in taking appropriate decision against such party”.
It is not clear, however, if the panel will take any action against the lawmakers that were absent. (Channelstv)[eap_ad_3]