On Thursday, Governor Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto State inaugurated a judicial commission of inquiry to investigate certain actions taken by the immediate past administration of Aminu Waziri Tambuwal during their tenure.
The commission, chaired by Justice Muazu Abdulkadir, a former chief judge of Gombe State, has been given a two-month timeframe to submit its findings.
During the swearing-in ceremony of the panel members, Governor Ahmed Aliyu emphasized the importance of carrying out their duties in accordance with the principles of the law.
He reiterated that his campaign promises included a commitment to accountability and transparency, which would not only apply to the previous administration but would also be a fundamental aspect of his own administration.
The governor said he decided to set up the judicial panel of enquiry 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.
“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 enquiry.
“That is why we go for a former Chief judge in far away Gombe State to be the chairman. I am sure you will all agree with me that all the members of this panel were men of impeccable character,” he added.
Justice Muazu Abdulkadir Pindiga, the chairman of the panel, addressed the press after taking the oath of office. He assured the public that the panel would carry out its duties with impartiality and without showing favoritism.
Justice Pindiga highlighted that the main focus of the judicial panel of inquiry would be to investigate the sale of government properties by the immediate past administration.
This suggests that the panel will thoroughly examine the circumstances surrounding the sale of these assets.
“Others include indiscriminate allocation of lands to people, as well as to confirm how the payment made for such items were utilised,” he added.
Other members of the judicial commission of Enquiry include Chief Jacob Ochidi SAN, Usman Abubakar, Lema Sambo Wali Esq, Alhaji Haliru Dingiyadi as well as Nasiru Mohammed Binji Esq, who is expected to serve as the secretary of the judicial commission.
