Lagos—A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, yesterday, adjourned till October 16, 2014 hearing in the an application, seeking to set aside the suit challenging impeachment of former Governor of Adamawa State, Mr Murtala Nyako.
Governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako
Mr Olukoya Ogungbeje, a lawyer, had filed the suit in August, challenging the legality of Nyako’s impeachment on July, 15.
Ogungbeje in his suit had argued that Nyako’s impeachment was a clear derogation from the due process of law, and prayed the court to reinstate him as governor.
Respondents in the suit are: Acting governor of Adamawa State, Mr Umaru Fintiri, Adamawa State House of Assembly, the acting Chief Judge of the state, Justice Ambrose Mammadi, Justice Buba Kajama, (Chairman of the seven-member panel that investigated allegations of gross misconduct against Nyako), Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC and the Inspector General of Police, IG.
The trial judge, Justice Okon Abang had taken arguments from parties on September 11, and had reserved judgment till September 30.
At the resumed hearing of the case, yesterday, Ogungbeje reminded the court that the business of the day was for the court to deliver its judgment in the suit, having entertained argument from parties.
But Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, representing the first, second and third respondent respectively, drew the court’s attention to his pending application before it.
He argued that the originating processes were not served on his clients, adding that when the lapses in the proceedings were brought to the court’s attention, the court directed counsel to adopt their written addresses.
He had prayed the court for leave to move his application.
The applicant in opposition, insisted that the business of the court was to deliver judgment, adding that the application should not be entertained.
Justice Abang in a bench ruling held that although the court had adjourned the matter for judgment, it was in the overriding interest of justice to hear the application of counsel to the respondents.
“On September 11 during the court’s vacation, I adjourned this matter for judgment, having heard parties in the suit. However, on September 22, the court registrar drew my attention in chambers, to an application by the first, second and third respondent; I then fixed it for hearing on September 26, and ordered hearing notices to be issued on parties.
“On the return date, the first to fifth respondents were present in court but the applicant was absent. I checked the court’s file and found that he was not served with a hearing notice. Issues arose, as to the need to hear the competiting rights of parties, before judgment is delivered.
ABUJA— There were indications last night that the impeached governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako, might be arrested by security agents and charged to court for alleged treason.
While the treason charges against the former governor is billed to take off in one court, the Economic & Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, would be prosecuting Nyako in another court for allegedly looting funds of the state said to have been stashed in a local bank.
The governor and the North-East Region manager of the said bank will be charged with another top official of Adamawa State Government, who is being held by the anti-graft agency for aiding and abetting the looting.
A competent security source told Vanguard that the Presidency has already ordered the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke, to file treason charges against the governor, who lost his plum job yesterday.
The charges, according to the source, had been prepared by the Federal Government even before the impeachment process against Nyako started and would merely be completed with the governor’s removal from office.
Nyako to face treason charges
Findings by Vanguard revealed that Nyako is to be tried specifically for levying war against Nigeria and inciting Nigerians and the international community against the person of President Goodluck Jonathan by accusing Jonathan of committing genocide against Northerners under the guise of fighting terrorism.
One of the sources said: “The AGF is ready with the treason charges against Nyako, who never showed any remorse over his letter to the Northern Governors Forum and refused to retract the contents and apologise even when he had the opportunity to do so.
“The AGF has since been directed to file treason charges against the governor, who was fired by the Adamawa State House of Assembly on Tuesday (yesterday) because what he did was levying war against the nation and inciting the world against President Jonathan.
“If the former governor is lucky, he will survive the legal onslaught against him but he may be in for many years in jail if convicted for his indiscretion and deliberate action to malign the President of Nigeria,” the source said.
Why Presidency dumped Ngilari
On why the Presidency withdrew its earlier support for the Deputy Governor to succeed Nyako, the source explained that Ngilari lost out because he tried to join forces with Nyako and work against the interest of the PDP stakeholders in the state.
He explained that Ngilari lost the support of the Presidency and the PDP stakeholders in the state when it was discovered that he had accepted to take over from Nyako and make Nyako’s son his deputy.
“Ngilari lost out when the Presidency got information that he had reached an agreement with Nyako to resign for him to take over as governor and make his son deputy governor so as to continue to protect the former governor’s interests. He thought he was smart,” the source said.
Vanguard further learnt that Ngilari, a Christian, was prevented from succeeding Nyako, a Muslim, so as not to stoke ethno-religious crisis in the state and worsen the security problem in the North-East.
His removal from office notwithstanding, Nyako remained boisterous, yesterday, insisting that he accepted the action against him in good faith, as it was merely a judgment by man and not God.
The former governor said: “All praise be to Allah. We accept what has happened. This is the judgment of man; we should all remember that there is God’s judgment in the hereafter”.
Apparently hinging his hope on his move to challenge the impeachment process against him, Nyako urged his supporters to remain calm and law-abiding, as the matter was far from being over.
Ngilari hasn’t resigned — Nyako
In spite of that, Nyako disagreed with the claim by the House of Assembly that Ngilari had resigned his position as deputy governor, arguing that the law required the deputy governor to submit his resignation letter to the governor and not the House of Assembly.
Nyako argued that he was still the governor of Adamawa State at the time Ngilari was said to have submitted his resignation letter to the Speaker of the state House of Assembly in contravention of Section 306 (5) of the 1999 Constitution.
Nyako, who spoke through his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Mr. Ahmed Sajoh, said: “Our attention has been drawn to the purported resignation of the Deputy Governor of Adamawa State, Barr Bala James Ngilari, which was supposedly read on the floor of the State House of Assembly.
“We wish to State categorically that Section 306 (5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as Amended requires that the Deputy Governor resigns not to the House of Assembly but to the Governor.
“As at the time the supposed resignation was said to have been tendered in the House, Murtala H. Nyako was the Governor of Adamawa State. No such letter was written to him, none was received by him and none was approved by him.
“It should, therefore, be known that in the eyes of the Law, the Deputy Governor has not resigned. Barr. Bala James Ngilari is still the Deputy Governor of Adamawa State.
“This clarification is necessary to avert another subversion of the Constitution since the other processes relating to the impeachment saga have all been in contravention of the Constitution and the Law. We wish to observe that continued abuse of the constitution and the laws of the land may spell doom for our democracy,” Nyako’s spokesman said.
How Nyako was impeached
The removal of the governor by the State House of Assembly followed the adoption of the report of the seven-man investigation panel set up by the former Adamawa State Acting Chief Judge, Justice Ambrose Mammadi to investigate alleged gross misconduct levelled against the removed governor and his Deputy.
At yesterday’s plenary session, the Speaker of the Assembly, Mr Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri read the report of the panel to the members, and quoted section 18(a) of the Constitution which gives the House 14 days within which to deliberate on the report.
Mr Jerry Kundusi representing Gombi Constituency then moved a motion that since the House has the required 2/3 Majority, it should commence debate on the panel’s report immediately.
Mr Kwamote La’on representing Numan Constituency supported the motion and there was no dissenting voice, while the House immediately commenced debate on the report.
At this point, the Speaker called each of the signatories to the impeachment process to confirm their signature in order to ensure the 2/3 majority needed is attained.
17 of the 25-member House of Assembly affirmed that their signatures were authentic and they stood by it.
At this juncture, the report of the panel was read by the Speaker to the members specifying the 20 charges preferred against Nyako.
Four of the allegations were, however, dropped by the panel for lack of merit.
After being found guilty of 16 out of the 20-count charges, the Deputy Speaker moved a motion seconded by Jerry Kundisi that the House adopt the report of the panel.
Consequently, the Speaker of the House, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri stated that the House has satisfied section 18 (9) of the Constitution, and that he, therefore, had no alternative than to declare the office of the Governor of Adamawa State vacant.
The Deputy Speaker also moved a motion, seconded by Jerry Kundisi that since the Deputy Governor has resigned, the Speaker should be sworn in as Acting Governor.
The House in session unanimously directed the President of Adamawa Customary Court, in the absence of the Chief Judge to swear in the Speaker as Acting Governor for three months before an election is conducted to fill in the vacant office of the Governor of Adamawa State.
Before the commencement of the house plenary session, the speaker read a letter from deputy governor, Bala James Ngilari announcing his voluntary resignation.
In their reactions, Adamawa PDP stakeholders, described the impeachment as the best thing to happen in Adamawa State.(vanguard)
Yola - The Speaker of Adamawa State House of Assembly, Alhaji Ahmadu Umaru, was on Tuesday sworn in as Acting Governor of the state following the impeachment of Gov. Murtala Nyako.
Umaru was sworn-in by the state’s Acting Chief Judge, Justice Ambrose Mammadi.
After taking the oath of office, the acting governor said the impeachment of Nyako was a blessing to the people of the state.
Umaru called on the people to join hands with his administration, saying that the task before it was enormous.
He reminded them that Adamawa was still under state of emergency and urged them to be law abiding.
The acting governor promised to pay the two months outstanding workers’ salaries and other allowances.
“This administration will do all that is possible to restore the lost glory of the state as well as improve the economic well-being of the people’’, he said.
Chieftains of the PDP and members of the National Assembly were among dignitaries that witnessed the ceremony. Adamawa Deputy Gov. resigns Bookmark
Also the Adamawa Deputy Governor, Mr Bala James-Ngilari, on Tuesday tendered his letter of resignation, citing personal reasons.
The Deputy Governor’s letter of resignation was read at Tuesday’s plenary of the Adamawa House of Assembly by Speaker Ahmadu Fintiri.
The development followed moves by the state assembly to remove him and Gov. Murtala Nyako on grounds of financial impropriety.
James-Ngilari said:“I kindly notify you of my resignation from the office of the Deputy Governor of Adamawa State forthwith on personal ground.
“I want to thank you for the opportunity to serve Adamawa State.”
The house unanimously adopted the letter following a motion moved by Mr Adamu Kamale (PDP-Michika), which was seconded by Alhaji Hassan Kaigama(PDP-Maiha).
During deliberation on the letter, members argued that since the deputy governor wished to retire voluntarily, he should be allowed to do so.
“We should wish him success in his future endeavour,’’ said Mr Jerry Kundisi (PDP-Gombi)
The speaker confirmed the resignation, saying, “the office of the Deputy Governor is hereby declared vacant.’’ (NAN)
The embattled Adamawa State Governor, Alhaji Murtala Nyako, on Wednesday, vowed not to appear before the seven-member investigative panel set up by the immediate-past Acting Chief Judge of Adamawa State, Justice Ambrose Mammadi.
Nyako spoke through his Director of Press and Public Relations, Ahmad Sajoh, via the telephone with one of our correspondents.
The governor spoke just as the panel set up to investigate allegations against him and his deputy, Mr. James Ngilari, secured a new venue for its sitting.
The panel was thrown out of its former venue, the J&J Holiday Villa by the owners who cited security concerns.
The hotel management was said to have rejected the panel on the grounds that a large presence of soldiers at the venue would scare away customers from the hotel.
The committee was also turned back at others hotels in Yola, which it contacted, after it was ejected from J & J Holiday Villa.
The panel was rebuffed at the Nigeria Labour Congress Club and Nigeria Union of Journalists Press Centre.
Members of the panel spent the better part of Tuesday, searching for alternative venues but failed to secure one after they were turned down by other organisations.
Reprieve came the way of the panel on Wednesday, after the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria agreed to allow the panel use its conference hall for its deliberations.
The decision of the union to allow the panel use its facility is also a subject of controversy as the state chairman of the union, Mr. Jeremiah Nkyekwar, told reporters he was not aware of any agreement to allow the panel the use of the facility.
The panel has, in continuation of its activities, announced Friday, July 11, 2014 as the date for its next sitting.
A notice to this effect was pasted on the gate of Government House Yola, at about 3: 45pm.
But armed riot policemen prevented journalists from approaching the gate to read the contents of the notice as of the time of filing this report.
Nyako, however, said he had no intention of honouring any invitation by the panel because “it is an illegal body which has no basis in law.”
Speaking through Sajoh, Nyako said, “They are not supposed to paste the notice. They are supposed to serve it. Besides, the panel was illegally constituted because those behind it ignored a subsisting court order.
“The composition of the committee itself is faulty indicted persons as well as card carrying members of the Peoples Democratic Party are among the panelists.”
Seemingly unperturbed by happenings at home, Nyako who was in Abuja to attend the inauguration of the Steering Committee of the Safe School Initiative at the Presidential Villa, told State House correspondent’s that the situation was under control.
He told reporters that the matter had not reached a point where he would call on President Goodluck Jonathan to intervene.
When asked to confirm if he had been trying to reach out to the President for his intervention, the embattled governor simply said, “Not yet. It has not reached that crisis point.”
The governor, however, said he would not hesitate to seek Jonathan’s assistance whenever he felt the need to do so.
“We have supported him (the President) all this time; he has supported us and in situations like these, when Mr. President’s support is required, we will seek it,” he said.
When confronted with media reports that two former leaders had approached the President on his behalf, Nyako simply said, “That will be excellent!”
He expressed the belief that the lawmakers would follow due process in their activities since issues bordering on the impeachment move were already in court.
Nyako said “Well, it is in the court and the court said it was not well done. We are hoping that if they want to do it, they will do it following the normal process in whatever they want to do.”
*As security agents bar journalists from covering proceedings
By Soni Daniel, Northern Region Editor & Umar Yusuf
Yola—The seven-man impeachment panel constituted to probe allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State and his Deputy, Bala Ngilari commenced sitting in Yola Monday behind closed doors under heavy armed security guard.
The sitting of the panel members is holding at a private hotel, J&J Holiday Villa.
This was even as indications emerged last night that Nyako was set to reign from office, barring any last minute change of heart.
Nyako alongside his deputy, Bala Ngilari, is presently facing impeachment moves from members of the state assembly over allegations of gross misconduct.
Last minute efforts to save governor
While Nyako contemplates resignation, it was also gathered that a former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, flew into Yola yesterday and is reportedly making moves to stop the impeachment from materialising.
The stern looking armed security personnel were stationed in and around the hotel, just as a military Armoured Personnel Carrier, APC, was stationed along the street leading to the venue to scare away possible intruders.
The Military High Command has denied having any hand in the bid to remove Nyako, despite the takeover of the residence of the Adamawa State Acting Chief Judge, Justice Ambrose Mammadi, by armed soldiers.
However, members of the panel were earlier scheduled to be inaugurated in the morning, as announced earlier by the Chief Registrar of the state High Court, Abubakar Babayola but the situation suddenly changed when the state government declared yesterday and today as public holidays ostensibly to prevent the Acting Chief Judge from inaugurating the penal, even as journalists who converged at the venue of the panel’s sitting for coverage of the inaugural meeting were chased away by the security men.
Commenting on this development, the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker of the House, Mr Solomon Kumanga expressed regret that the panel closed its doors to journalists, even as one of its terms of references was to conduct its sittings in public.
He, however, promised to wade into the issue to ensure that the media was accorded its proper position during the panel’s assignment.
Soldiers take over CJ’s residence
Meanwhile, the soldiers numbering over 10, took over the home of the CJ in the Maskari area of Jimeta on Friday shortly before Mammadi was caused to be announced on public radio and television stations, the names of the seven-member panel to probe the allegations of misdeeds against embattled governor Nyako.
Although it was not clear why the armed soldiers had to swoop on the residence of the topmost judicial officer in the state at the time they did, there were fears that the action might not be unconnected with the sustained move by the state House of Assembly to remove the governor over allegations of misappropriation of funds.
Findings by one of our correspondents indicated that the soldiers were still at the residence of the CJ as at Monday evening and might not quit until the CJ inaugurates the impeachment panel against Nyako.
Nyako’s declaration of a two-day prayer holiday on Monday and Tuesday, prevented the CJ from inaugurating the panel, which nonetheless did not deter the members from proceeding with their assignment, which may be concluded within a few days before the embattled governor can push for an appeal.
The presence of the soldiers at Mammadi’s house notwithstanding, the Defence Headquarters on Monday denied that that the military was threatening the CJ to constitute a panel to probe Governor Nyako.
In a posting on its Twitter handle yesterday, the Defence Headquarters described the claim as false and strange, saying that it would not be entangled with the narratives of troubled persons alleging persecution to stir resentment.
The Defence Headquarters said it had serious work to do but did not say whether it was in Adamawa or in the whole country.
“Allegation of threat by Military to Adamawa State Chief Judge on constitution of a probe panel to investigate Gov. Nyako is strange and false.
“The Military will not be entangled with narratives of troubled persons alleging persecution to stir resentment. We have serious work to do,” the DHQ said.
There were indications yesterday that the panel might conclude its work within the week to pave the way for the early exit of Nyako from office and clear the way for his Deputy, who is likely to be cleared, to take over the mantle of leadership in the state.
However, other sources which doubted the chances of the Deputy Governor becoming the governor said that the Speaker who hails from the same area with him, did not see to eye with him, hence would not give power to his supposed political enemy.
ABUJA— As the gale of impeachment against him gathers momentum, Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State, has gone spiritual to save his job.
The governor, yesterday, declared today and tomorrow as work free days to enable the citizens to reflect on the situation in the state and Nigeria and to offer special prayers to God for intervention.
Although the governor did not make direct reference to his current impeachment travails, it was learnt that the prayers sessions are intended to seek the face of God in thwarting the effort by the state’s lawmakers and his former party, PDP, to oust him from office.
He explained that the holidays were to give thanks to God for surviving all the challenges facing them.
As the prayer session continues, Nyako is expected to approach the Appeal Court this week to challenge the decision of the state’s Acting Chief Judge, Justice Ambrose Mammadi, to set up a panel to probe him without first being served the notice of the impeachment as demanded by law.
Nyako, it was learnt, is peeved by the action of the acting CJ, who inexplicably decided to set up a probe panel against him despite the fact that the lawmakers were yet to personally serve him the impeachment notice.
But the prayers may not do much to salvage the governor, as the seven-man panel, whose membership had already been unveiled, gets set to finish up its assignment within the week and push the governor away.
The panel, whose composition of five Christians and two Muslims is already raising eyebrows among the Muslim community in the state, is likely to wrap up its assignment and report back to the House of Assembly earlier than expected.
Although some political bigwigs in Adamawa are expected to intervene and save Nyako, his key political opponents are not likely to forgive Nyako and would push for his removal as soon as the committee turns in its report.
It is not, however, clear why armed soldiers have taken over the residence of the Adamawa CJ in Yola, the state capital.
•Presidency has no hands in my impeachment saga, Nyako
There was pandemonium at the Adamawa State Government House, yesterday, when some state commissioners and other top government officials were physically manhandled by supporters of Governor Murtala Nyako for allegedly working with the members of the House of Assembly to impeach the governor and his deputy, Mr James Ngilari.
This was even as Governor Nyako, has said that the Presidency had no hand in the impeachment saga as earlier stated by his officials.
He also berated the state House of Assembly over his problems wondering why the legislators who had passed a vote of implicit confidence on him about three months ago, suddenly turned round to initiate impeachment proceedings against him over issues that were not weighty enough.
The House of Assembly had on Tuesday asked the state Acting Chief Judge to constitute a seven-man impeachment panel to investigate a 20-point allegations of financial fraud and mismanagement made against him by 20 out of the 25 members assembly.
Some of those attacked included the Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, Hamidu Lawan, his counterpart in the Ministry of Environmnt, Mrs Arziki Sawa as well as the Commissioner for Agriculture, Mrs Lucy Ishaku among other top government officials.
Trouble started for the commissioners and other top government officials moments after Nyako arrived Government House and the top officials were spotted trooping in to show solidarity with him.
However, the governor’s supporters were said to have accused the embattled commissioners and top government officials of allegedly back-stabbing Nyako and Ngilari as the impeachment moves gathered momentum.
’’You are saboteurs! You are saboteurs!! rented the air as the commissioners were manhandled one after the other, thereby causing confusion and commotion within the Government House. .
Apart from physically beating up the commissioners, some of them had their official vehicles either smashed or burnt.
Meanwhile, Governor Nyako, who returned to Yola after two weeks of stay in Abuja, has said that the Presidency had no hand in the impeachment saga as earlier stated by his officials.
The governor said that the rift between him and the legislators was purely Adamawa- related issues which would surely be resolved soon.
Nyako, who returned to a rousing welcome by his political associates and admirers, lauded the people of the state for their calmness and peaceful co-existence since his problems began.
He dismissed the allegations of misconduct levelled against him by the legislators saying that they were not weighty enough to elicit impeachment.
Nyako further accused the House of Assembly of not coming straight with his alleged offences.
A High Court sitting in Yola has thrown out an application filed by the Adamawa State Governor, Murtala Nyako, seeking to restrain the state House of Assembly from commencing impeachment process against him until the determination of the substantive suit.
Justice Ambrose Mamadi, who is the acting Chief Judge of the state, said this while ruling on the application filed by Kanu Agabi SAN, on behalf of Nyako on Thursday.
Mamadi in his ruling argued that the lawmakers did not breach any provisions of Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
He added that the application was aimed to pre-empt the legislators, who had 24 hours earlier instructed the acting CJ to constitute a seven-man panel to investigate the 20 charges of gross misconduct levelled against the governor and another six counts of similar charges brought against the deputy governor.
Responding to the ruling counsel for Nyako, Agabi who was represented in court by Mr. Ayo Akam, said it did not affect the substantive suit.
It will be recalled that the state lawmakers had two weeks ago ordered the Clerk of the state House of Assembly to serve the impeachment notices on Nyako and his deputy.
When the clerk was finding it difficult to serve them the impeachment notices, the state House of Assembly did so through the media.
Nyako, in the eight-page impeachment notice, is accused of mismanagement of public funds.
However, the Adamawa State Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Tahir Shehu, said, “The ruling has cleared the coast for the lawmakers to continue with their constitutional responsibilities of checkmating the activities of government officials in the state.”
Adamawa State House of Assembly yesterday proved its resolve to impeach Governor Murtala Nyako and his Deputy, James Ngilari, as it directed Acting Chief judge, Justice Ambrose Mamadi to constitute a seven-man panel to investigate allegations of “gross misconduct” levelled against the Governor and his Deputy, Mr James Ngilari.
The panel is expected to submit its report within one week.
The Assembly’s resolution was sequel to two documents signed and verified by the Speaker, Alhaji Umaru Ahmadu Fintiri, who is one of the 20 out of the 25-member state legislature, supporting the duo ousted.
The lawmakers, who had earlier signed the impeachment notice, reiterated their resolve to pursue the impeachment move to its logical conclusion, even as they expressed support for the Speaker’s action.
But the lawmakers may have gone against a subsisting court order, restraining them from going ahead with the planned impeachment, pending the determination of a suit instituted by the governor.
They however, explained that their decision to ask the CJ to constitute the panel was taken after both Nyako and his Deputy failed to defend themselves over the allegations of gross misconduct.
During plenary, they adopted “The Panel of Investigation Rules of Procedure of Adamawa State”, which Fintiri said should include a chairman, a secretary and five others.
“The panel shall, in the course of its proceedings, adopt the ordinary rules of fair hearing. The panel may, however, in its discretion, be guided by the High Court Civil Rules of Adamawa State and the provisions of the Evidence Act, 2009.”
The procedure also requires that evidence adduced before the panel may be oral or documentary, and that the evidence shall be led in the first instance in proof of an allegation; evidence may be led in the next instance in rebuttal of the allegation.
It also stated that the panel may regulate the time for giving of evidence or making of an application or final submission by witnesses or parties or counsel on their behalf and the panel’s decision in this regard shall be final.
Reacting, the lead lawyer to Nyako, Mr Ayo Akam, who held briefs for Kanu Aganbi at a Yola High Court sitting, described the action of the Adamawa House of Assembly as a contempt of court as the court.
“If they go ahead to pass a resolution to ask the chief judge to constitute the seven-man panel, that will be a violation of the court order,’’ he said.
The counsel added that “We will consult our clients on whether to enforce the order or let it be.”
The Adamawa State governor, Admiral Murtala Nyako and his Deputy, Mr James Bala Ngilari were yesterday said to be in Abuja, begging to be saved from impeachment by members of the state House of Assembly.
The House, Wednesday accused the Nyako and Ngilari of gross misconduct in its notices of impeachment on the two leaders. The notices, it was gathered would now be served through substituted service.
However, this was even as the Adamawa State government yesterday said that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, had frozen its accounts in all the commercial banks in the country.
The embattled governor yesterday visited former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, begging him to intervene in the political imbroglio.
Nyako was said to have visited Atiku along with to the former Chairman of the EFCC, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and the Chairman, Adamawa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Hon. Binta Koji.
Sources told Saturday Vanguard that the trio went into a closed door meeting soon after the governor arrived the former Vice President’s residence.
Atiku, who travelled to South Africa for the inauguration of the country’s parliament, returned to the country at about 7 pm yesterday ostensibly to also play a fatherly role in the matter.
It was gathered that Atiku would beg the legislators to sheathe their swords by saving the jobs of both the governor and his deputy.
”Where this fails, we hope that the former vice president will ask his loyalists to withdraw their signatures. Once he does that, the impeachment process will collapse because the requisite number for it to continue will have been lost,” a source close to the meeting said.
According to the source, both Nyako, Ngilari and the legislators were in Abuja for the reconciliation meeting.
Apart from Atiku’s alleged intervention, it was also gathered that the Northern Nigerian Governors’ Forum, NNGF, also met to resolve the issues at stake and save him from being impeached just as the Senator representing Taraba North, Senator Aisha Jummai Al – Hassan reportedly called a meeting of senators from the North East to intervene in the matter.
However, the Adamawa State Commissioner for Justice, Mr Ibrahim Tahir, told newsmen in Yola yesterday that the EFCC had written the state to the effect that it had frozen all the bank accounts of the state government in commercial banks.
The EFCC said it ‘’froze the accounts as a precautionary measure to safeguard the state treasury amid evidence of barefaced looting uncovered in an on- going investigation.”
According to sources at the Commission, there was massive looting of the state treasury by top officials of state government, a development that led to the arrest and questioning of the Secretary to the State Government, the Commissioner for Finance, former Commissioner for Local Government (now Commissioner for Higher Education), the Accountant General of the State and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Local Government.
“In the course of investigation, a critical analysis of local government accounts revealed massive cash withdrawals,’’ it said last night.
The government further said that apart from freezing the accounts, the Presidency had also ordered securitymen to monitor Nyako’s movements.
Members of the Adamawa State House of Assembly, Tuesday, gave impeachment notices to both Nyako and Ngilari over alleged fraudulent activities running into several billions of Naira.
Following the impeachment notices, all the legislators in the House had relocated to Abuja along with Nyako and Ngilari, as efforts were being made by elders from the state to resolve the issues amicably.
In 2008, the governor faced similar impeachment threats from the legislators but the matter was later resolved.
However, following Nyako’s alleged penchant to tackle political gladiators from the state, he was alleged to have lost the political good will of most leaders, especially within the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, and the opposition People’s Democratic Party, PDP.
Among the political leaders who had at one time or the other quarrelled with Nyako include the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, former Military Administrator of Lagos State, Brigadier General Buba Marwa and his erstwhile political god-father, Senator Jibril Aminu as well as former National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur.
As a result of the development, most of the political leaders in the had supported the impeachment of both the governor and his deputy to pave the way for another election within three months.
Meanwhile, the Director of Press and Public Affairs at the Adamawa Government House, Yola, Ahmad Sajoh, has blamed the Presidency over the political tension in the state, saying that it had ‘’exposed the desperate efforts by President Goodluck Jonathan to witch hunt officials he perceived as enemies even if it means subjecting the electorate to hardship.’’
According to Sajoh, the closure of the government’s accounts would affect workers as salaries would be delayed just as other social services especially would be disrupted during the Ramadan fasting.
‘’President Jonathan has made it clear that the impeachment plan against Gov. Murtala Nyako must sail through and has also mandated security agents to be on the trail of the governor, who will
immediately be arrested by the EFCC once he is impeached and he loses his immunity,” he said.
Nyako who was said to have been disallowed from travelling to Abuja by flight on Thursday, traveled by road to attend the peace meetings.
Ekiti State governor and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the June 21 election in the state, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has said that the attempt by his opponents to unseat him will be a labour in vain at the end of the election.
Fayemi said while campaigning in Ekiti South-West Local Government Area, at the weekend, said he was sure of victory at the election.
apc
The governor, who spoke in Ilawe, headquarters of the council area, maintained that “all my opponents would labour in vain in their bid to unseat me.”
Apparently impressed by the crowd of residents of Ilawe, the council area headquarters, that welcomed him to the town, Fayemi said his victory at the poll is a foregone conclusion.
The governor noted that judging by the support and rousing welcome from the people of Ilawe, and the entire Ekiti South West Local Government Area, he would not need much campaign to coast home to victory as the people appreciate what he had done in the area.
Fayemi explained that the past three-and-a -half years of his administration had been marked with unprecedented success in governance and massive transformation of the state through life-changing policies and projects.
On the governor’s campaign train were his wife, Bisi Fayemi, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Dr Adewale Omirin, Chief of Staff, Mr Yemi Adaramodu; and members of the state’s executive council.
Other communities visited by the governor’s campaign train included Ogotun and Igbara-Odo, where he was equally welcomed by large crowd of supporters. The governor also visited the palaces of traditional rulers where he received royal blessings on his re-election bid.
Members of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Ekiti South West Local Government Area, also pledged their support for Fayemi’s re-election bid citing his various incentives for their members, the latest being the elevation of principals to Grade Level 17.
The APC flagbearer described Ilawe as a very important town in the state, hence, his administration’s gesture of executing key projects and the empowering of the indigenes of the community.
PDP group replies Oyegun, says no gang-up can stop Ekiti people •As Oyo PDP lawmaker drums up support for Fayose
A socio-political group in Ekiti State, Ekiti State Development Union, on Thursday said no gang-up from the members of All Progressives Congress (APC) can stop the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ayodele Fayose, from winning tomorrow’s election in the state.
Addressing newsmen in Ado Ekiti in reaction to a statement credited to the national chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, that the PDP was planning to rig the election, the chairman of the group, Pastor Yemi Olayinka, said the APC chairman spoke without “a proper knowledge of what the feelings and aspirations of Ekiti people are going into this election.”
Olayinka described as “untrue and unfortunate,” the statement credited to Chief Odigie-Oyegun, saying he had “just continued in the APC norm of spreading falsehood and deceiving people.”
Rather, he said that there were influx of thugs into the state to cause mayhem on the day of the election, and alleged that it was the APC that was allegedly planning to unleash mayhem on the state, saying Oyegun’s allegation was misdirected.
He said, “As we speak, Ekiti State has been invaded with thugs from Lagos, Edo, Ogun and Kwara States while guns have been distributed to leaders of the APC in all 177 wards . Ballot boxes have also been brought to the Government House and we wonder for what purpose they are going to serve.
Meanwhile, a member of the National Assembly from Oyo State, Honourable Segun Odebunmi, has advocated support for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)governorship candidate Mr Ayo Fayose.
Honourable Odebumi, in a press statement personally signed and made available to newsmen in Ibadan, said, the return of Ayo Fayose will not only bring about development for the state but alleviate the suffering of the masses in the state.
According to him, Ayo Fayose meant well for the people of the state and he has his commitment to the course of the Ekiti people when serving as governor and will continue to advance the course of the people of the state .
Odebunmi also said “ the support he gets from the market women, traders and artisans, is a sign that he is truly loved by his people, I personally interacted with them during a visit to Ekiti and I can tell you that they belief in Fayose and want him to returned as a governor.”
While condemning those labelling Fayose as thugs, Odemumi said “labelling someone as thugs is a political gimmick to discredit the image of a credible opposition just to score cheap political goals and I can tell you, he is not, the Fayose that I know is a responsible man and not a thugs”.
Speaking on the movement of some prominent PDP members including the former governor of the state Engineer Segun Oni, to the opposition in the state, Odebunmi said, “that is politics, though one did not expect Segun Oni and others to take such decision at that moment ,but we have nothing to worry about this, the election is sure for PDP as we have the real voters supporting our party”
He, however, urged the security agencies and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be observant and ensure that the election is peaceful, free and fair.
Shed your rebel group’s antics, pdp tells apc leaders •As Adeyeye counsels INEC on free, fair election Leon Usigbe and Jacob Segun Olatunji – Abuja
THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has advised leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to stop behaving as if they are running a rebel group, calling on Nigerians to educate the opposition party on issues of political ethics and comportment in a democratic setting.
According to a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Olisa Metuh, in Abuja on Thursday, “the APC must understand that it is an opposition party and not a rebel group and as such, must jettison all actions and tendencies that portray it in that light.”
The ruling party observed: “Nigerians of all walks of life have continued to express concern over the character of the APC as an opposition party. The APC must realise that in a democracy, being an opposition party demands a great responsibility marked by constructive engagement and propagation of alternatives in the general interest.
“The APC must be advised to undertake a survey of how other opposition parties conduct themselves. Being an opposition party does not in any way confer a culture of irresponsibility; being an opposition party does not in anyway confer a license for promotion of violence; and being an opposition party does not confer use of blackmail and falsehood as means of achieving political control.”
Meanwhile, a ministerial nominee from Ekiti State, Prince Adedayo Adeyeye, has urged the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Atahiru Jega, to monitor closely, the electoral officers assigned with the responsibility of conducting the June 21 governorship election in the state, saying that “there are insinuations that most of the electoral officers posted by INEC to Ekiti, have been compromised by the APC.”
Adeyeye, who maintained that the PDP in Ekiti State was sure of wining the election in a free, fair and transparent atmosphere, urged INEC as well as other security agents to avoid being compromised by the APC.
In a release issued on Thursday, Adeyeye said; “Ekiti people have made up their minds to replace the present government with a PDP government, and we hope that INEC officials will not collude with the APC to circumvent the wish of the people.”
He urged members and supporters of the PDP to monitor closely all the electoral officials in their respective polling units.
Adeyeye said; “INEC is in the eyes of the entire world and we hope Jega will ensure that his field officers do not allow themselves to be used to scuttle the process.
“This is because there are insinuations by Ekiti people that most of the electoral officers posted to Ekiti State for this election are sympatisers of the APC.
“Jega must therefore watch his field men closely so that they don’t soil his image and put Ekiti into chaos because of their own personal greed.”
Fayemi already preparing for tribunal —Fayose
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, has said the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate and the state governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, was already preparing to go to the tribunal to challenge results of next Saturday’s election.
Fayose, who said all the frivolous allegations being bandied by the governor and his party, was aimed at preparing the minds of their supporters for an imminent failure in the election,
In a release issued by the Director General, Ayo Fayose Campaign Organisation (AFCO), Chief Dipo Anisulowo, the PDP candidate said Nigerians should be mindful of the antics of the APC, adding that; “The game plan now is to discredit the election results so as to justify their plan to go to the tribunal to challenge the results and the state-owned broadcast station and Adaba FM, a private radio station in Akure, Ondo State, had been positioned to broadcast fake news on Saturday.”
He described as total falsehood, publication by some online media that members of the PDP were arrested in a hotel with fake ballot papers, saying; “what simply happened was that the APC gave security agents false information that PDP members were thumprinting ballot papers in a hotel.
“The security agents stormed the hotel and only found our consultants, who were engaged to train our polling agents. Nothing incriminating was found on them and they were released immediately.”
While calling on Nigerians to disregard any result not authenticated by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Fayose said; “We are aware that a certain blogger, was hired by Fayemi to dish out falsehood about us on the internet.
“A sum of N50million has been released to the blogger to coordinate about 40 other bloggers and their assignment started with the lies they spread on the rice that we distributed to the people.
“They have continued with their assignment of propagating falsehood against us, but we don’t care because their lies are not being bought by Ekiti people who have already made up their minds to send Fayemi away from the government house.
“On Saturday, they are going to be spreading fake results, so as to give impression that the election was rigged when the authentic is released by INEC.
Ekiti people clamouring for change —Olubolade
Former Minister of Police Affairs, Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade, has called on Ekiti people to vote peacefully in tomorrow’s election, saying “the people of the state are clamouring for change in the state going by their body language and decision.”
Olubolade, who spoke with the Nigerian Tribune in Ado Ekiti, on Thursday, said the election would be “a great contest between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and for the purpose of democracy, the Labour Party,” pointing out that the candidates of the APC and that of the PDP, had been tested by the people of the state and I think they want a change because it had been very easy for the people to assess them and they have decided.”
According to him, “the PDP has a greater chance of winning tomorrow’s election because our candidate, Fayose, has massive grassroots support and as a PDP member, it would be easy for Ekiti State to key into the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan, which will further benefit Ekiti State.”
The PDP leader in Ijero Local Government Area of the state, said the visit of the president, the vice president, senate president and national leaders of the PDP to campaign for Fayose, would also inpact on the election, saying “many people are also wondering why the APC is still working hard to explain the government’s projects to people instead of the projects to be campaigning for him. That is a sign that something is wrong somewhere.”
He said: “As a leader of PDP in my council area, we have campaigned hard and moved round the council area and we have seen that the people are yearning for a change. I hope that now that the APC is already crying against the result of an election that is just about to hold is sending a signal that there would be more cries from them after the election. And we only hope that they would accept the will of the people by accepting defeat in good faith.”
He charged the people of Ekiti State to “ensure that the change they are clamouring for takes place in Ekiti tomorrow,” saying “by so doing, the state will benefit more from the in-coming government of PDP led by Ayò Fayose and the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.”
Bamidele rounds off campaign with road show, denies withdrawing from race
House of Representatives member and Labour Party’s governorship candidate in Saturday’s election, Opeyemi Bamidele, has rounded off his campaign with a roadshow around the state capital, Ado Ekiti and reiterated his assurance of emerging the winner.
Bamide, who toured all major streets in the state capital in a long motorcade, also used the opportunity to debunk rumour about his purported withdrawal from the race.
The roadshow marked end of a 90-day campaign of rallies which Bamidele kicked off on March 23, 2014, at Ido-Ekiti, headquarters of Ido/Osi Local Government Area of the state which had also taken him to virtually all the 132 towns and villages in Ekiti State.
Bamidele, who first addressed his supporters at his Iyin-Ekiti country home, also reassured residents of Ado Ekiti, that he is the best candidate in the race.
He also denied his rumoured withdrawal from the race as handiwork of his political detractors.
Bamidele who was accompanied in the roadshow by party leaders and supporters visited the Ado Ekiti township market among other places.
While appreciating them for their support since he started his rally, Bamidele told voters in Ekiti to come out in large numbers and cast their votes for him in a collective effort to rebirth the state.
He also used the privilege to further sell his party programmes which he described as people-oriented to the people.
TMG deploys 320 observers, employs ‘Quick Count’
An election monitoring group, Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), has said that it is deploying a total of 320 non-partisan observers to Ekiti State to observe the Saturday’s governorship election.
While 300 of the observers are being stationed at specific polling units across the 16 council areas, 20 would be mobile supervisors, saying all will employ what the TMG described as ‘Quick Count’ observation methodology and latest information and communication technology to observe the poll.
Two officials of the group, Lazarus Apir, TMG project manager and Akinbo Timothy, disclosed this on Thursday, in their papers in a training workshop organised by the group for some select journalists.
They said with Quick Count methodology, their field officers would be able to provide real time, representative and statistically valid information on the conduct of the election.
ADAMAWA State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the state House of Assembly of acting a script by serving Governor Murtala Nyako and his deputy, Mr Bala Ngilari, with an impeachment notice.
Speaking to newsmen on Thursday in Yola, the Publicity Secretary of the APC in the state, Reverend Phineas Padio, said the actions of the legislature left no one in doubt.
He said the allegations levelled against the governor were not only laughable but also embarrassing, coming from the lawmakers.
“There is no way a house will bring something that happened in 2007 during previous legislation as some of its allegations against the governor. It has definitely goofed,” Padio added.
The APC image maker pointed out that the Speaker, who had been nursing a gubernatorial ambition with the hope of using the APC, became angry with the APC when Mrs Binta Masi from the same zone with him emerged the state party chairperson, blocking his chances.
Reverend Padio, who commended groups and individuals for showing solidarity with the state APC-led government over the matter, urged the people of Adamawa to resist the lawmakers’ attempt to sacrify the state for selfish ambition.
Meanwhile, as criticisms continue to trail the impeachment notice slammed on Governor Nyako and his deputy, a contractor handling the Mubi Bye-Pass construction in Adamawa State, Alhaji Maiwada Baba, has threatened to file a case against the house for defamation of his personality and the company.
Speaking to newsmen at a press conference in Yola, he described the alleged collection of N300 million without mobilising to site as a fallacy.
The chairman of the Hydro Source and Resources, Alhaji Maiwada Baba, who the Adamawa State House of Assembly alleged collected the sum of N300 million on Mubi bye-pass road, demanded a retraction and apology from the assembly or it would go to court.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) and its governors criticised the impeachment move against the governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako.
APC National Chairman Chief John Odigie-Oyegun described the move against the governor as “unfortunate”.
He said: “Well, it is unfortunate, but we are already looking into it on how to deal with the situation.
“Let me give the legislators the benefit of doubt by saying I hope what they are doing is just a warning shot and it won’t go beyond that.”
Asked if the APC was suspecting the PDP as the sponsor of the impeachment move, Odigie-Oyegun replied: “I cannot put it beyond them. Definitely, they are behind it because they have money to play with.”
It was learnt that Ngilari’s notice was a smokescreen as forces in Abuja have teleguided the Assembly to absolve the Deputy Governor of any blame.
Although the allegations were said to have bordered on alleged mismanagement of funds, it is believed that “the real plot was to remove Nyako and put him on trial for alleged treason over the toxic” letter he wrote to President Goodluck Jonathan.
It was gathered that about 19 of the 25 members of the House of Assembly signed the impeachment notices.
A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Some of the lawmakers were invited to Abuja last week where they were told why they must remove Nyako.
“There were indications that some forces in the Presidency spent time with the lawmakers on the impeachment process.
“When some of them were hesitant, they were threatened with likely arrest by anti-graft agencies on some allowances which they ought not to have collected.
“Before some of these lawmakers left, they gave their words that they would serve Nyako impeachment notice this week.”
The Assembly met briefly to serve impeachment notices on the governor and his deputy.
“But the notice on the deputy governor was a decoy by those plotting to remove Nyako. The plotters decided to give it a semblance of fairness. But their plan is to prevail on the Assembly to clear the deputy governor and remove Nyako,” the source said, adding:
“Ngilari, a Christian minority, will then take over as the governor. A former member of the House of Representatives, Awwal Tukur, son of a former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, may emerge the next Deputy Governor.
“Immediately Nyako is impeached, he will be arrested and put on trial for treasonable felony for writing a toxic letter to President Goodluck Jonathan on security issues with grave consequences for the unity and survival of Nigeria.
“As I talk to you, the reports of security agencies and the police are ready for Nyako’s trial. The target is to strip him of any immunity.”
Another source gave an insight into the drama behind the issuance of the impeachment notice to Nyako.
The second source said: “As the House of Assembly was about to meet, the Yola airspace was temporarily blocked in the morning to stop the governor from flying to Abuja on a chartered flight.
“I think those against Nyako got wind of his itinerary and wanted him to receive the impeachment notice before jetting out to Abuja.
“The governor also beat the House of Assembly to the game by travelling by road to Gombe to board the chartered flight to Abuja.
“Yet, the governor missed the inauguration of the new National Executive Committee of the All Progressives Congress(APC).”
Responding to a question, the source said two things also played out between Tuesday and Wednesday, signalling Abuja forces and the presidency’s final move against Nyako.
The source added: “The President personally invited Nyako to the inauguration of a comprehensive National Emergency Relief Programme for the country, beginning with the Northeast, in Abuja on Tuesday. The session was attended by a former British Prime Minister and the governors of Borno and Yobe states.
“Nyako could not make the session. This angered the Presidency. So when they got wind of his chartered flight to Abuja on Wednesday, the airspace was also blocked.
“I think the governor was skeptical about Jonathan’s invitation because the Gombe Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) had on Tuesday invited Adamawa State’s Secretary to the State Government and the commissioners for Finance and Local Government Affairs.
“The mistrust had set in as at Tuesday.”
The thinking is that if Nyako had come to Abuja on Tuesday, the House of Assembly would have had enough time to debate and serve impeachment notice on him.”
It could not be ascertained last night, if the governor will go to court to stop the impeachment proceeding or not.
An official statement from Nyako was being awaited last night.
The provision for the removal of a governor and his deputy is contained in Section 188 (1-11) of the 1999 Constitution.
The section says: “A motion of the House of Assembly that the allegation be investigated shall not be declared as having been passed unless it is supported by the votes of not less than two-thirds majority of all the members of the House of Assembly.
“Within seven days of the passing of a motion under the foregoing provisions of this section, the Chief Judge of the State shall at the request of the Speaker of the House of Assembly, appoint a panel of seven persons who in his opinion are of unquestionable integrity, not being members of any public service, legislative house or political party to investigate the allegation as provided in this section.
“The holder of an office whose conduct is being investigated under this section shall have the right to defend himself in person or be represented before the panel by legal practitioner of his own choice.
“A panel appointed under this section shall (a) have such powers and exercise its functions in accordance with such procedure as may be prescribed by the House of Assembly; and (b) within three months of its appointment, reports its findings to the House of Assembly.
“Where the Panel reports to the House of Assembly that the allegation has not been proved, no further proceedings shall be taken in respect of the matter.
“Where the report of the Panel is that the allegation against the holder of the Office has been proved, then within 14 days of the receipt of the report, the House of Assembly shall consider the report, and if by a resolution of the House of Assembly supported by not less, than two-thirds majority of all its members, the report of the panel is adopted; then the holder of the office shall stand removed from office as from the date of the adoption of the report.
“No proceedings or determination of the panel or of the House of Assembly or any matter relating to such proceedings or determination shall be entertained or questioned in any court.
“In this section, ‘gross misconduct’ means a grave violation or breach of the provisions of this Constitution or a misconduct of such nature as amounts in the opinion in the House of Assembly to gross misconduct.”
The impeachment plot against Governor Murtala Nyako began on a dramatic note yesterday, with the temporary blocking of the Yola airspace to enable the House of Assembly serve the governor with a notice.
A chartered plane, which ought to take the governor to Abuja, was diverted midway to Gombe to restrict his movement to Yola for the notice to be served on him, according to sources.
But the governor, who got a report of the impeachment notice, travelled by road to Gombe to board a plane for Abuja.
In spite of the initial drama, the House of Assembly yesterday sent impeachment notices to Nyako and his deputy, Mr. Bala Ngilari.
The Speaker of Adamawa House of Assembly, Alhaji Ahmadu Fintiri, on Wednesday, directed the Clerk of the House to serve Gov. Murtala Nyako and his Deputy, Mr Bala Ngilari, notice of impeachment “for gross misconduct”.
The development followed a motion on Constitutional Matter raised by the Deputy Speaker, Mr Laori Kwamoti (PDP-Numan).
He cited Section 188 of the constitution and presented a document containing allegations of gross misconduct against the governor, which he said was signed by 19 of the 25 members of the Assembly.
Shortly after the consideration and endorsement of Kwamoti’s document, Malam Usman Abdulkareem (PDP- Nasarawo/Binyeri) also said he had received allegation of gross misconduct against the deputy governor signed by eight members of the Assembly.
The Speaker, who perused through the two notices, said they had complied with the provision of the constitution, having met the one-third requirement for an impeachment of any of th two officers to commence.
The Speaker subsequently directed the Clerk of the house to serve separate notices to the affected personalities and all the 25 members of the state Assembly.
Speaking to newsmen on the development, the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Mr Adamu Kamale (PDP-Michika), said the governor and his deputy would be served the notices.
“Whether they reply or not, the house, would sit on the matter after two weeks, ” Kamale said.
Reacting to the development, Gov. Murtala Nyako, through his Director, Press and Public Affairs, Malam Ahmad Sajoh, described it as a “selfish move.
“Members of the House are planning something that will end up making them the sole beneficiaries, where the Speaker will be the acting governor and the deputy speaker becomes the deputy governor.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in 2008, Nyako was similarly served with a similar impeachment notice. (NAN)
While the treason charges against the former governor is billed to take off in one court, the Economic & Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, would be prosecuting Nyako in another court for allegedly looting funds of the state said to have been stashed in a local bank.
The sitting of the panel members is holding at a private hotel, J&J Holiday Villa.
The panel is expected to submit its report within one week.
The development followed a motion on Constitutional Matter raised by the Deputy Speaker, Mr Laori Kwamoti (PDP-Numan).