From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Kogi House of Assembly has mandated the state Chief Judge, Justice Nasir Ajanah to constitute a Seven-man Panel of Inquiry to investigate allegations of gross misconduct against Deputy Governor, Elder Simon Achuba.
The House made the request in a resolution issues 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 impeachment of the public officer.
Presenting the motion, Bello-Balogun said the motion was sequel to issuance of a Notice of Allegations to the Deputy Governor, two weeks ago (August 8, 2019).
He explained that the Deputy Governor evaded service of the Notice of Allegations on him and also directed that none of his aides should receive any correspondence from the House of Assembly on his behalf.
Bello-Balogun said that the prayers calling for investigation in the motion were in line with Section 188(3) 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.
Sending the motion, the Deputy Speaker, Ahmed Mohammed (APC-Ankpa) described the situation as worrisome and described the motion as appropriate.
Mohammed said 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, Prince 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 of 17 members
Kolawole therefore, directed the the House to communicate the Chief Judge to within seven days constitute a panel within to investigate the deputy governor.
