- As Lawmakers and Attorneys Fingered Each Other Over Constitutional Breaches
The Investigative panel set up by the chief Judge, Suleiman Dikko through directive of the NSHA has dismiss the 16 count charges levelled against the Nasarawa Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura for lack of evidence
The nine man Legal team of the Nasarawa State Governor, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura and the six man legal luminary hired by the House of Assembly has pointed accusing fingers on each other for breaching the provisions of the constitutions.
The probe panel set up by the state Chief Judge was been described as an all-inclusive rupture of the nation’s constitution, The lead counsel to the Nasarawa state House of Assembly Ocha P Ulegede, in his submission said the members of panel should out rightly disqualified themselves.
Ocha averred that the Chief Judge breached sections 188 (7A) of the constitution which gave the lawmakers the mandate to draw the rules of proceeding that will regulate the sitting of the investigative panel.
“According to section 188 (5) It stated clearly that “The power of the panel is not absolute for that the legislators are those delegated to draw the rules of proceedings not the panel”.He added.
Ocha P Ulegede buttress that members are appearing because of the relieved service accord to their client, calling for the insistent closure of the panel.
He said the composition of the panel was imperfection,” some of the members are in the service of the state Government,In an interview Ocha Ulegede uphold that Muhammed Sabo Keana,former SSG during the regime of Governor Abdullahi Adamu was a card carrying member of the PDP.
“Muhammed Sabo Keana is a member of PDP,In his Amiri ward of Keana Local Government is number two in the list, Other ground was that section 188 (7A) excluded three categories of persons from been appointed as panel members”.
1. That a member of the panel should not be a legislative member
2. Not a person of questionable character
3. Not a card carrying member of any political party
4. Should not be a public servant
But Rev.Joel Galadima who was a member of Nasarawa State Christian Pilgrim Welfare Board was appointed as a panel member which is a clear exhibition to disqualify him.
The appointment of the two persons was disastrous for the fact-finding team, when whether their client will go to court.
The lead counsel responded that the matter of the two members, Muhammed Sabo Keana who was a card carrying member of PDP and Rev.Joel Galadima, Who was appointed as member of NSCPWB collected his July salary.
The counsel to Assembly open the tinder box as he present the pay slip of Rev.Joel Galadima before the broad-spectrum of journalist shortly after they walk out of the panel.
Ocha Ulegede in addition blames Journalist for vexing the overwrought political atmosphere, stating that reports on the media that Assembly members are running away from the panel is uncalled for.
The lead counsel to Governor Al-Makura also faulted the House of Assembly for their incapability to draw the rule of proceeding before inaugurating the investigative panel, saying is duty saying the Governor is yet to be served with the impeachment notice.
The chairman of the panel while reacting on the called to disband of the panel as submission raised by counsel to the lawmakers, Said the court of law is the last resort to decide the providence of the panel.
“We did not appoint ourselves for that it is only the court of law that has the mandate to dissolve the panel not even the Chief Judge that appointed us, The chairman added.
Only time shall tell the dimension of the political imbroglio which is about consuming the state, Further more Government businesses in Nasarawa state comes to a halt with the political crisis that ensued between the executive and legislative arm of Government.
Serving commissioner and other political appointees fate hang on the balance with the position of the state lawmakers who are hell bent to impeach the sitting Governor over an allegation of gross misconduct.
It could be recalled that the Assembly after directing the CJ to constitute the investigative panel rescind and re-direct the state Chief Judge to reconstitute the seven man panel on the ground that some of the members of the panel are public servants.
Members of the legal team of the Assembly are
1.Ocha P Uledege
2.John Mathew Esq
3.P.A Datti
4.Stephen O Wikwu
5.Oche D.obande
6.Abraham O.Auta
