The Justice Stephen Adah-led Judicial Commission of Inquiry investigating the activities of governance under the former Governor Jonah David Jang of Plateau State has submitted its report to Governor Simon Lalong.
Lalong on July 17, 2016 constituted the Commission of Inquiry to look into the activities of the former governor of the state, now the senator representing Plateau North in the National Assembly, from May 2007 to May 2015.
Submitting the report on Monday, Justice Adah said during the exercise, which lasted for three months and three weeks, the commission approached its responsibilities with passion and has carefully made recommendations to the government based on hearing on all memos submitted before the Commission.
The commission winded up its assignment on November 30, 2016 after taking eight Memos at the Azi Nyako Youth Centre in Jos, the Plateau State capital.
Aaah said the Commission has looked carefully at all memos and had no time to keep inviting people who might have refused to appear before the facts finding Commission.
Justice Adah said they treated 170 memos, took 195 evidences and admitted 181 exhibits in the presence of lawyers and solicitors.
He therefore appealed to the governor to go through the 15 Volume document diligently to be able to digest them fruitfully.
It can be recalled that the fact finding Commission’s terms of reference included: “Ascertaining of all financial transactions, done or entered into by the Government of Plateau State of Nigeria or through any of its Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), or official acting in its name from the 29th day of May 2007 to 29th May 2015.
“To ascertain and establish all financial allocations, funds, grants or monetary interventions and revenues which accrued to or in the name of the Government of Plateau State of Nigeria. Departments, Agencies, Officials or Agents from the Federal Government of Nigeria or any International Institutions or Donor Agencies from 29th May 2007 to 29th May 2015.”
Meanwhile Lalong has commended members of the committee for painstakingly sacrificing their time to ensure the government made progress by knowing how the immediate past administration conducted the affairs of government in the period they held sway.
He said: “Preceding our inauguration of the Commission and during the period of their proceedings, several commentaries have been ran on the streets, offices, religious places and even at burials concerning the exercise, and what we seek to achieve with the exercise. Some saw it simply as a waste of time and a waste of Government resources; others identified progressively with the noble idea that informed it, because they understood that to get it right as a government, the past, the present and the future must connect rightly.
“Those who think it is a waste of time and resources might be right to some extent, because over the years, reports of this nature have been stock piled on Government shelves and to say the least, consigned into the waste paper basket of history.
“This I assure you will not be the same with this report. In establishing the Commission, we took account of the outcry and groans of our people; we felt their pulse and for certain, we heard their cry.
“What they desired was for us to get it right and getting it right, will mean knowing where the past made a mistake, so we avoid it; getting it right, will mean knowing where the past got it right, so we continue with it; and getting it right, will mean where the past government got it wrong, so we right it for the good of the people. Our thrust under the good governance policy is to ensure the commonwealth of the people is rightly accounted.
“As a government midwived into existence by the collective resolve of our people, we cannot afford to spirit away that clarion call for Justice on the Alter of ego of political convenience. Political convenience to us, is when “business as usual” is sustained to the detriment of the very people that it should serve.
“Like I said in my speech at the inauguration of the Commission of Inquiry, the Commission was not established as a witch hunt Committee for persecution of perceived opponents, but as a Committee for stewardship and accountability. I am sure all who have appeared before the Commission, have realised that the Principles of Fair Hearing, equality before the Law, and all that pertains to the fundamental rights of persons, were adhered to in the cause of the proceedings.
“This I must say was what informed in the first place, our choice of Justice Adah JCA, a Jurist of repute, and incorruptible character, to join hands with other people of like character content, to deliver on the terms of reference of the Commission.
“Now that they have done their part, the ball is in our court to do our part. We will study the report and officially proclaim to our citizens what Government’s position is in a white paper.
“As our people get the details, I have no doubt in my mind, their perceptions and judgments, whether wrongly or rightly placed, will be addressed with the information at their disposal.
“Mr. Chairman of the Commission and Honourable Members, together with all the counsels and support staff of the Secretariat; words are not enough to thank you for your sacrifice of time and for placing your honour to test, with this service to our State. On behalf of myself, the Government and good people of Plateau State, I wish to say, you have earned a place in our hearts and will go down in the glossary of our State’s History, as people of great Honour, for your selfless service to our people.”
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