Court okays ex-Gov Suswam’s probe

A Benue State High Court, sitting in Makurdi, has dismissed a suit brought before it by the immediate past governor of the state, Mr Gabriel Suswam, to stop the probe instituted against him by the state governor, Samuel Ortom.

The state government had constituted an investigative panel to determine the actual state of indebtedness of the state and to verify government’s assets.

The state’s Chief Judge, Justice Iorhemen Hwande, had on Oct. 12, ordered a stay of proceedings on the commission, following Suswam’s suit.

Read also: EFCC summons ex-gov, Suswam, over graft allegations

Justice Adam Onum, however on Monday, vacated the order, directing the panel to resume sitting immediately.
Suswam had dragged Governor Ortom and the commission to court, praying the court to disband and set aside the Administrative Commission of Inquiry instituted against him.

According to the former governor, the commission was incapable of exercising judicial powers and lacked constitutional powers to investigate or adjudicate upon the issues submitted to it for inquiry, adding that the commission was set up to witch-hunt and smear his name and destroy his legacy.

In his ruling, Justice Onum declared that the commission could issue letters of summon on individuals, but agreed with Suswam that the commission was not vested with the power to issue warrant of arrest on anyone.

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