
Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, has explained the reason for setting up a judicial commission of inquiry into the administration of former governor, Jonah Jang, saying that it was not a witch hunt.
Governor Lalong gave the explanation while inaugurating the six-man panel in government house, Jos, the Plateau state capital.
He said he was only heeding the “deafening calls” by the people to hold the previous administration accountable to the people.
“It is also not a witch-hunt but a hunt for that which has probably been hidden from our citizens. As a responsible government, we cannot afford to ignore this deafening call, which for all intents and purposes are justified,” Lalong said.
He added that the commission’s report will aid his administration in taking the necessary steps to recover government’s monies and property being withheld by past public office holders in the state.
The governor stated that he will be ready to be probed after his time in office.
He said: “It is the belief of my administration that only after facts are publicly obtained and tested, will the truth be brought to bear on the issues agitating the minds of patriotic Plateau people.”
This will “also serve as a caution and clarion call on political office holders and civil servants as well, to know that we will at the end of our term be called upon to also give account of our stewardship.”
“And by the same parameter with which we assess others, we also are setting the parameter upon which we will be assessed,” Lalong said.
He urged the panel to discharge their responsibilities diligently.
Stephen Adah, chairman of the commission, assured the governor that all parties would be given fair hearing, while also calling on him “to come up with facts and relevant information required for this inquiry.”
Members of the commission include Bibiana Bawa, Aliyu Sangei, Ekoja Ekoja, Simon Agamah, and Sani Yahaya.
The commission has three weeks to submit its report.