A former governor of
Benue state, Mr Gabriel Suswam, on Monday lost his bid to stop the probe
instituted against him by Gov. Samuel Ortom at the state’s High
Court. Reports have it that Ortom constituted an investigative panel to
determine the actual state of indebtedness of the state and to verify
government’s assets.
Suswam had dragged Ortom and the commission to court, seeking leave of the court to disband and set aside the Administrative Commission of Inquiry instituted against him. He averred that the commission was incapable of exercising judicial powers and lacked constitutional powers to investigate or adjudicate upon the issues submitted to it for inquiry.
Reports also show that
the commission was expected to make findings of those responsible for lease or
allocation of real property belonging to the Benue Government
public. Suswam in his application alleged that the commission was set up
to witch-hunt and smear his name and destroy his legacy.
He had claimed that
his administration was transparent and rendered periodic account of its
stewardship to the state throughout his eight years in office. The former
governor argued that the resources of the state were judiciously used and that
the impact could be seen all over the state.
He, therefore, prayed the
court to grant his application by quashing the commission. It will be
recalled that the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Iorhemen Hwande, had on Oct. 12,
ordered a stay of proceedings on the commission, following Suswam’s suit.
But giving his ruling
on the suit on Monday, Justice Adam Onum, vacated the order on the commission
and ordered resumed sitting of the commission with immediate effect. Onum
declared that the commission could issue letters of summon on individuals.
He, however, agreed
with the applicant that the commission was not vested with the power to issue
warrant of arrest on anyone.
Source: Vanguard
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