The Governor of Sokoto State, Ahmed Aliyu, has inaugurated a judicial commission of enquiry to investigate some of the actions taken by the administration of his predecessor, Aminu Tambuwal.
He said he decided to appoint a retired Chief Judge of Gombe State, Justice Muazu Pindiga, to head the panel to show the people that he would not compromise. He noted that the panel had two months to submit its findings.
Speaking while administering oaths to the members of the panel, Aliyu asked them to act in accordance with the law, saying part of his campaign promises was to ensure accountability and transparency.
He added that he decided to set up the panel to yield to the yearnings of the people of the state whom he said deserve to know how their resources were managed during the last administration.
He stated, “In order to let people know that I will not compromise, we decided to look for a very competent personality outside the state to be the chairman of the inquiry. That is why we go for a former Chief Judge in faraway Gombe State to be the chairman. I am sure you will all agree with me that all the members of this panel are men of impeccable character.”
Pindiga told journalists after taking the oath that the panel would do its work without fear or favour. He said the terms of reference included looking into the circumstances in which some government properties were sold.
“Others include indiscriminate allocation of land to people as well as to confirm how the payment made for such items were utilized,” he added.
Other members of the panel included Chief Jacob Ochidi (SAN), Usman Abubakar, Lema Sambo Wali, Alhaji Haliru Dingiyadi as well as Nasiru Mohammed Binji, who is expected to serve as the secretary.
