Al Makura: Nasarawa lawmakers want NJC to sanction CJ

From Gambo Ahmed, Lafia

The Nasarawa House of Assembly yesterday directed its Clerk, Ego Maikeffi, to officially petition the National Judicial Council (NJC) over alleged violation of section 188 of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999 as amended) by the state Chief Judge, Justice Sauleiman Dikko.

The directive followed a motion of public interest moved by the House Majority Leader, Godiya Akwashiki, and seconded by Yahaya Usman (PDP-Ugya/Umaisha).

He alleged that the state CJ had grossly violated the provisions of section 18 by appointing partisan persons to serve in the probe panel he (CJ) had constituted to probe allegations of gross misconduct leveled against the state Governor, Alhaji Tanko Al-makura.

 Also contributing on the matter, Hon. Francis Orogu (PDP-Keana) alleged that the state CJ had allowed himself to be used by political forces at the detriment of his position as a senior law officer of the state by conspiring with politicians without recourse to the provisions of the constitution.

It was gathered that 18 out of the 20 PDP lawmakers who signed the impeachment notice against the state governor took part in the session while their APC colleagues, except the Minority Leader, Adamu Maikatako were absent at the plenary.

Efforts made to reach the CJ for response to the development could not yield any result.

In a related development, the lawmakers yesterday slammed six week suspension against Honourable Tanko Tunga (APC) over alleged violation of House’s rules of proceedings and misconduct.

 Tunga who represents Awe South constituency in the Assembly had, during one of the plenary sessions held at the Assembly chambers, in which the House directed the state Chief Judge, Suleiman Dikko to raise a probe panel to investigate Governor Al-Makura, attempted to snatch the mace from the Sergeant-At-Arms, a development that nearly turned the session rowdy.

 Moving suspension motion under matters of public interest during yesterday’s plenary, Honourable Baba Ibaku (PDP-Udegye/Loko ) whose motion was seconded by Nathaniel Agyomesa (PDP-Lafia North), alleged that Tunga had violated the House’s rules of procedures when he (Tunga) attempted to snatch the Mace thereby obstructing that day’s sittings, just as he added that the affected lawmaker had gone on air insulting other members of the House “and calling them all sort of names”.

 Ibaku maintained that the lawmaker should be placed on half salary for the period of the six months suspension and recommended that the victim be advice to contact a medical doctor for medical checkup to ascertain the true state of his senses.

 Ruling on the motion in affirmation, the Speaker, Musa Ahmed Mohammed directed the Clerk to communicate the affected lawmaker of his six weeks suspension and that he should keep off from the premises of the Assembly throughout the suspension period, adding that all other entitlements of the suspended lawmaker stands forfeited.