Impeachment: Bauchi CJ reconstitutes panel

Ishola Michael, Bauchi - 03.07.2009

THE last may not have been heard on the impeachment moves against the Bauchi State Deputy Governor, Mohammad Garba Gadi, as the State Chief Judge, Justice Sabo Suleiman Darazo, has reconstituted another panel that will investigate the alleged impeachable offences made against the deputy governor, few days after a similar panel was dissolved by the House of Assembly, for what was described as “a breach of the constitutional provision” on matters of impeachment.

While inaugurating the panel on Thursday at the State High Court Complex, Justice Darazo charged members of the new panel to ensure that a thorough job was done as well as ensure that all the parties involved in the issue were given fair hearing so that at the end of the exercise, no ill-feeling or marginalisation will be expressed by any party.

He said “do a thorough job by ensuring that everything necessary in such an assignment was done before reaching a conclusion.” The Chief Judge also urged members of the panel led by a one-time Attorney General of the State, Abdul Babayo Malle, to be fair to all the parties, particularly the Deputy Governor, who has been accused of misconduct, saying that he and his counsel should be allowed enough time within which to respond to all the allegations.

He also charged the members to be fearless and not allow anyone no matter his or her status, to influence them into taking a wrong decision, pointing out that they should act according to their conscience, but in line with the laws of the country including the Constitution.

The Panel was however, not given any time frame within which to complete the assignment.