…As Embattled Gov Wants Notice Quashed, Heads For Court
BEVERLY HILLS, August 04, (THEWILL) – In a new twist to the impeachment proceedings brought against Nasarawa State governor, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, members of the State House of Assembly, Monday, failed to show up at the sitting of the impeachment panel as the panel gave the lawmakers up till Tuesday to appear before it.
Meanwhile, Al-Makura who had to wait for more than 30 minutes Monday before the arrival of the panel members, however urged the panel to quash the proceedings against him even as he promised to defend himself publicly.
When Yusuf Shehu Usman,who is the chairman of the panel set up by the State Chief Justice, Suleiman Tanko,  called the Assembly  to announce its appearance, there was no response.
He therefore  called on the secretary of the panel to know whether the Assembly  was served an invitation to which the panel was told  that  the notice of hearing was served on the Assembly Clerk but he  refused to sign the endorsement copy.
The Panel secretary also disclosed that  the bailiff who‎ served the notice on the Assembly  deposed to an affidavit to the effect that the Assembly  was duly served.
When the governor was called to make his presentation, Al- Makura said; “I appear this day before this panel of distinguished personalities first, in deference to this panel and secondly, as a democrat, who has immense respect for the Rule of Law and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“I must state for the record that the purported notice of impeachment, required by the Constitution to be served on me before the constitution of this panel, was not served on me.
“Nevertheless, relying on the public notices issued by this panel, I chose to appear in order to clear my name of all the spurious allegations, without prejudice to my right to challenge the breach of the Constitution by the House, which I intend to do at the appropriate forum.
“What you have been appointed to do is a serious constitutional duty, which will impact the lives of the people of Nasarawa State for good or for ill. I therefore, pray the Almighty God to grant you the wisdom to decide aright.
“In the proceedings before this honourable panel, I intend to defend myself through my team of attorneys, as the constitution permits me to do, and I wish this distinguished panel the very best in all your proceedings.”
Accordingly, Â the governor’s lawyers, Chief Nnoruka Udechukwu, SAN leading Olufunke Aboyade, SAN, Prof. Ernest Ojukwu, Kehinde Aina, O.O. Adeleye, Olatoye Akinbode, Abdulwashi Musah, C.J. Mbachu and Benjamin Nwosu,were called to make their presentation.
Udechukwu said the lawmakers who initiated the impeachment motion against Al-Makura  would themselves be acting in breach of the constitution.
The lead counsel described the absence of the lawmakers at the panel’s sitting  as a disservice to the people of Nasarawa State and the constitution which they sworn to uphold.
When the panel  returned from a brief break, it called on Udechukwu‎ to address it on the implication of non appearance by the lawmakers to which he asked  that the impeachment notice be dismissed for want of prosecution.
Udechukwu, who  reminded the panel that there was a proof of service on the Assembly also told the panel that the only notice of impeachment was the one advertised in the newspaper and the one given to the panel by the Chief Judge.
“That means there is no valid notice of impeachment. The defence we filed notwithstanding, there is nothing before you to investigate. I diligently urge your lordship to enter dismissal of the notice of impeachment and enter a verdict of non-proof for each of the 16 counts of impeachment,” Udechukwu said as he  cited section 280 of the Criminal Procedure Law which called for the dismissal of allegations not proved.
“Since the Nasarawa State lawmakers have failed to appear before you to substantiate the allegations, you have no option but to dismiss same,” he added.
However,  the panel opined  that dismissing the notice same day  would be too hasty and therefore chose to give the lawmakers another opportunity to come and substantiate the allegations contained in the impeachment notice.
“‎Having fully consulted, while we do not disagree with the submission of the learned Senior Advocate, the panel is of the view that the Assembly  be given  further opportun‎ity to come and substantiate the allegation. We are therefore giving them another opportunity by adjourning further hearing in this petition to tomorrow (Tuesday) to enable the lawmakers appear, ” the chairman said.
He therefore  directed the panel secretary to paste fresh notice of hearing on the panel’s notice board and at the State House of Assembly.
