The Chairman of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up by the Governor Simon Lalong-led administration in Plateau state, Justice Stephen Adah, to investigate the financial activities of the government that was in charge of the state from May 29th, 2007 to May 29th, 2015 has commenced sitting in Jos, the state capital.
At its inaugural public sitting on Thursday, Adah disclosed that 105 memoranda were submitted to the Commission, and that the Commission will sit for the hearing on all days of the week except on Sunday so as to be able to meet up with the deadline given to it.
The Chairman pointed out that the Commission is a fact-finding one, with the mandate to inquire into the terms of reference given, make its findings and recommendations which its considers necessary and submit its report within three months from the date of inauguration or such extended period as the Governor may approve.
He added that all concerned parties have been served with copies of the memoranda and that parties will be given opportunity to present their own submissions, personally or through any Legal Practitioner of their choice.
Adah further solicited the support and cooperation of members of the public and those concerned to avoid any act of time wastage or disrupt the proceedings of the Commission, as well as urged the media to engage in fair and accurate reporting of the events at the proceedings.
“This Commission was inaugurated by Governor Simon Lalong on the 17th August, 2016, the time allotted to this Commission started running from the day of inauguration. 105 memoranda were submitted to the Commission and today, the Commission will commence public hearing.
“The hearing will be guided by the provisions of the Commission of Inquiry Law Cap 25 Laws of the Northern Nigeria 1963 (as applicable to Plateau State), the Rules of Procedure formulated under Section 6 of Cap 25 and other extant laws,” he explained.
According to him, “The Commission has served copies of the memoranda to all concerned parties and the parties will be given opportunity to present their submissions, personally or through any Legal Practitioner of their choice. The Commission solicits for the support and cooperation of all the members of the public, Lawyers and those concerned to avoid any act calculated to waste time or disrupt the proceedings.”
Meantime, in his remarks, the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Jonathan Mawiyau said the Commission is to investigate not prosecute anyone, expressing confidence that the Chairman and members of the Commission have what it takes to deliver on the assignment assigned to them.
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