Posted by From MARIAM ALESHINLOYE AGBOOLA, Jos on
Embattled governor of Plateau State, Chief Joshua Dariye on Thursday bared his fangs as he terminated the appointment of the state's acting Chief Judge, Justice Lazarus Daken. This is coming at a time the Jos High Court suspended proceedings indefinitely until it is directed otherwise.
Embattled governor of Plateau State, Chief Joshua Dariye on Thursday bared his fangs as he terminated the appointment of the state's acting Chief Judge, Justice Lazarus Daken. This is coming at a time the Jos High Court suspended proceedings indefinitely until it is directed otherwise.
The proceedings at the investigative panel set up by the acting Chief Judge to look into allegations against the governor was, on Wednesday, halted following the order issued by the Jos High Court directing it to stay action.
A press release announcing the termination of the appointment of the acting Chief Judge said this was in pursuance to section 271(4)(5) of the 1999 constitution and other laws enabling the governor to take such action.
The release, which was issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. John Gobak, said the action took effect from Thursday, November 9 and that a new acting Chief Judge would be appointed by the governor after consultation with relevant bodies.
In another development, the Jos High Court has suspended proceeding on the case brought before it by some lawmakers challenging the impeachment process in the state. When the case came up on Thursday, Justice Yau Dakwang announced that there were two petitions challenging his continued handling of the matter owing to the petitioners' "loss of confidence" in him.
One of the petitions was from Reverend Choji Gyang, who claimed to be the special assistant to the speaker protempore, Mr. Mike Dapialong, while the other was from the counsel to Dapialong and five others, Mr. Solomon E. Umoh.
The two petitioners had expressed their lack of confidence in Justice Dakwang's capability in dispensing justice and fairness in the case brought before him by the Speaker of Plateau State House of Assembly and seven others against the CJ, members of the investigative panel, Michael Dapianlong and six others.
Though Rev. Gyang was not in court to defend his position, Solomon Umoh was present and he explained to the court his fear that he would not get justice from the court, requesting the case to be transferred to another court.
Justice Dakwang therefore, announced that he had adjourned the case sine die on the strength of the directive by the removed acting Chief Judge, who minuted on the two petitions.