Posted by The Port Harcourt Telegraph on
The Akwa Ibom Chief Judge, Justice U.D Idiong has set up a seven-man panel to investigate allegations of abuse of office levied against the State deputy Governor, Chris Ekpeyong.
The Akwa Ibom Chief Judge, Justice U.D Idiong has set up a seven-man panel to investigate allegations of abuse of office levied against the State deputy Governor, Chris Ekpeyong. Barrister Emeh Umanah heads the panel.
Setting up the body, the chief judge said its members have three months to come up with a report that would either pave the way for Ekpeyong's impeachment or end the process.
He reminded them of the onerous responsibility before them and said the people were looking up to them to deal with issues before them with a deep sense of duty.
Obviously, the Chief Judge's action was sequel to a request from the Speaker of the House, Nelson Effiong after the house had resolved by a motion, urging him in line with constitutional provisions to set up a panel to investigate allegations of gross misconduct brought against the deputy governor.
Sub section 5 of Section 188 which deals with the removal of a governor or a deputy governor states inter alia, "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 allegations as provided in this section."
Ekpeyong had been accused of being guilty of gross misconduct in the performance of the functions of his office in line with constitutional provisions.
Among the many alleged sins of Ekpeyong are claims that he has contrary to his oath of office embezzled public funds and acquired a palatial property in Texas in the name of his son.
He is also accused of showing little interest in the discharge of his constitutional duties, with his accusers buttressing their point in the allegation that he did not take part in the last Democracy Day celebration. Held in the State.
As things are, Ekpeyong's fate hangs on the decision that the seven-man panel would reach...
"Where the report of the Panel is that the allegation against the holder of the office has been proved, section 188(9) notes, "then within fourteen 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."
To survive, the panel of seven wise men would have to find Deputy Governor Ekpeyong not guilty. Where they do, no force in the land can save him
In the words of the constitution under sub section 10 of Section 188, "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."
Our man on the spot in Uyo, Christopher Tom reports that so far the House of Assembly has meticulously followed all of the processes prescribed by law in its pursuit of the impeachment agenda.
The way things are Ekpeyong may not be able to penetrate and divide the unity of the house. The last time it voted on the impeachment matter, 23 members voted to pass the motion authorizing his removal from office.
There have been allegations that the deputy governor has been trying to bribe house members but there is no proof of it in the open.
Perhaps, as observers in Akwa Ibom say Ekpeyong's only hope may lie in his ability to get the State Governor, Obong Victor Attah who has stood aloof as he battles with the House of Assembly to come to his aid.
Signs of a frosty relationship between the governor and his deputy are not out there in the open, but there are some who say it is anything but cordial.