Impeachment Panel: Nasarawa Assembly Petitions NJC Over CJs Conduct, Suspends APC Lawmaker

NASARAWA STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY MEMBERS IN SESSION

Members of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly yesterday finally resumed sitting in Lafia, the state capital, after they fled the state at the height of plans to impeach Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura.
The members upon resumption, suspended an All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker, Tanko Tunga, for six months just as they directed the clerk, Ego Maikeffi, to petition the National Judicial Council on the conduct of the State Chief Judge, Justice Suleiman Dikko.

The motion for the suspension was moved at plenary by Baba Ibaku (PDP-Udegye/Loko)and seconded by Nathaniel Agyomesa (PDP-Lafia North), who accused Tunga of violating the Assemblys rules.
Tunga was also accused of attempting to snatch the mace and insulting his colleagues.
Ibaku said Tunga should be placed on half salary for the duration of his suspension. The 24-member assembly is made up of 20 Peoples Democratic Party members while the remaining four are of the APC.
The directive by the Speaker, Musa Ahmed, to write the NJC, was sequel to perceived irregularities in the composition of a probe panel to investigate allegations of financial misappropriation and breach of constitution levelled against Governor Al-Makura.
Moving a motion to this effect at their first plenary after recess, the majority leader of the House, Hon. Godiya Akwashiki (PDP-Nasarawa Eggon West) said the step became necessary owing to what he termed the CJs deliberate breach of constitution by smuggling names of partisan politicians and a public officeholder into the membership of the probe panel, in breach of Section 188(5) of the 1999 constitution.
He craved the indulgence of the members to write the National Judicial Council within 24 hours to investigate the chief judge in order to avoid the breakdown of law and order in the state.
In his submission on the matter, Hon. Francis Orogu, representing Keana constituency, said the CJ has abused his oath of office and derailed in the discharge of his duties by conniving with the executive to thwart the path of justice.