Court okays probe of Suswam’s administration

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Benue State High Court presided over by Justice Adam Onum has dismissed an ex-parte motion filed by former governor Gabriel Suswam, challenging the probe of his eight year rule by Governor Samuel Ortom’s administration.

Suswam had dragged the administration to court on the grounds that the two commissions of inquiry constituted by the administration were intended to witch hunt him and key players of his administration.

He contended further that the panels lacked judicial and constitutional powers to investigate and adjudicate on the issues submitted to it for inquiry.

The former governor also urged the court to restrain the administration from instituting further inquiry into his eight-year rule in the state.

Vanguard recalls that the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Iorhemen Hwande, had on October 12, 2015, ordered a stay of proceedings on the commissions, pending a ruling on the motion.

In his ruling yesterday, Justice Adam Onum vacated the stay order on the probe panels and ordered that they resume sitting with immediate effect.

Justice Onum held further that the commissions were properly constituted and also upheld their inherent powers to issue letters of summon on individuals. He, however, agreed with the applicant that the commissions lacked the powers to issue a bench warrant on an invitee.

Source: Vanguard