Plateau Probe: Gov. Jang’s son Drags State House of Assembly to Court

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News, News From The State Tuesday, June 17th, 2014

Agabus Pwanagba, Jos

The allegation of financial misappropriation leveled against Plateau State Government has taken another intriguing dimension as plot by Governor Jonah Jang to stop the State House of Assembly from probing the scam has been hatched.

Already, the legislators have set up a committee to probe alleged gross financial misconduct leveled against government in a petition by a group known as “Plateau Patriotic Front”.

It would be recalled that Governor Jang’s son, Yakubu has approached the State High court praying it to stop the lawmakers from probing him and his father. The court has served the house to suspend the move pending the determination of the suit filed by Yakubu.

The alleged directive by Governor Jang to stop his political appointees and civil servants from appearing before the State legislative house was conveyed in a memo issued by the Secretary to the Plateau State Government Professor Shedrack Best.

The memo which was allegedly signed by Permanent Secretary, Policy and General Services, Izam Azi, on behalf of the SSG and made available to African Examiner in Jos on Tuesday, reads: “No civil servant working under the State Government or political appointee is allowed to honor invitation from the State House of Assembly without seeking clearance from the Governor.”

It reads in part: “I’m directed to inform you that henceforth, no ministry, department or agency is to appear before any committee anywhere with respect to any petition unless you seek clearance and obtain approval from the governor”

In the main time, AE was learnt that all Ministries, departments, agencies of the state as well as Commissioners and Special Advisers have received copy of the memo and have been urged to comply strictly with its contents.