It was resounding victory for the Governor of Nasarawa State, Tanko Al-Makura as the seven-man panel set up by the Chief Judge of the state to investigate the 16-count allegation of gross misconduct against him has returned a verdict of ‘not guilty’ on the governor and cleared him of all the charges.
But the lawmakers immediately responded that it did recognise the existence of the panel and therefore does not recognise its verdict, insisting it will do the appropriate thing at the right time. The stance of the lawmakers thus signals more distressing time for the state.
The panel faulted the House of Assembly, saying it did not provide any evidence to back up its allegations against the governor.
The sitting was aired on television stations across the country. Six Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) had stood in for Al-Makura while the members of the House had challenged the composition of the panel. The House alleged that the members of the panel had questionable character.
Mohammed Ibaku, the spokesman of the House maintained that the House was not in support of the panel.
As a result, the House refused to send its representatives to the panel on Monday. It however changed its resolution when it sent its representatives to the panel on Tuesday.
Ibaku had earlier told journalists that the House had petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged financial misappropriation against the governor. He said the governor was expected to face the anti-graft agency after his impeachment.
The Chairman of the panel, Yusuf Shehu Usman, said the panel would formally send its report to the House.
On Monday, Governor Al-Makura, through his counsel, Noruka Udechukwu, had called asked the panel to dismiss the impeachment charges against him by the state Assembly.
“It is a great abuse of process by the state assembly for refusing to appear and even authenticate service. It is a disservice to our constitution, to the panel and Nigeria.
“I urge the panel to take cognizance of section 7 paragraphs (C) which stipulates that where the House of Assembly fails or neglects to appear and lead evidence in proof of allegations, the panel upon proof
of service may dismiss the allegation,” he said.
