Impeachment: Kogi assembly urges chief judge to set up panel

From Ahmad Ibrahim, Lokoja

The Kogi State House of Assembly has called on the state Chief Judge, Justice Nasiru Ajanah to constitute a seven-man Panel of Inquiry to investigate allegations of gross misconduct against the Deputy Governor, Elder Simon Achuba.
This was based on a resolution issued at plenary on Tuesday in Lokoja, following adoption of a motion by Majority Leader, Abdullahi Bello-Balogun (APC-Ajaokuta); calling for investigation into the allegations as second step towards removing the deputy governor.
Presenting the motion, Bello-Balogun said the action was sequel to issuance of a notice of allegations to the Deputy Governor, two weeks ago on the issue of gross misconduct against him.
He explained that the Deputy Governor evaded service of the notice of allegations on him, even as he equally directed that none of his aides should receive any correspondence from the House of Assembly on his behalf.
The lawmaker added that the prayers calling for investigation in the motion were in line with Section 188(3) of the 1999 constitution as amended, that the House should resolve by motion supported by not less than two-third of members to request the Chief Judge to set up the seven-man panel to investigate the allegations.
According to him, the Deputy Governor’s open vilification of Governor Yahaya Bello and the State Government as well as the alleged discrete and open support for candidates of the opposition parties during the Presidential, National and State Assembly Elections in February and March, this year across the state amounted to gross misconduct.
While supporting the motion, the Deputy Speaker, Ahmed Mohammed (APC-Ankpa) described the situation as worrisome, insisting that the motion was appropriate.
He averred that the seven-man committee should be made up of persons of impeccable character as outlined in the country’s constitution.
Ruling on the motion, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Matthew Kolawole said questions as to ascertain the number of members who supported the adoption of the motion was 19 and more than the required 17 members, to enable the process sail through.
Kolawole therefore, directed the the House to communicate the chief judge to within seven days, constitute a panel to investigate the deputy governor.