Plateau state governor orders probe of predecessor's administration

Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State has set up a judicial commission of inquiry to investigate the administration of his predecessor, Jonah Jang.

The governor said in a press release on Tuesday that the commission would be chaired by Justice Stephen Adah, while Sani Mavo will serve as secretary.

The statement, signed by the governor’s spokesperson, Emmanuel Nanle, said the commission will “ascertain all financial transactions, done or entered into by the Government of Plateau State of Nigeria or through any of its Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), or official acting in its name from the 29th day of May 2007 to 29th May 2015.”

The six-member panel was also mandated to establish how much accrued to the state, and how much was expended.

Other mandates of the panel are:

“To ascertain the total amount paid by the Government of Plateau State as salaries and allowances of serving and retired State Civil Servants, Local Government Employees and Political Appointees from 29th May 2007 to 29th May 2015.”

“To ascertain and establish all financial allocations, funds, grants or monetary interventions and revenues which accrued to or in the name of the Government of Plateau State of Nigeria. Departments, Agencies (MDAs), Officials or Agents from the Federal Government of Nigeria or any International Institutions or Donor Agencies from 29th May 2007 to 29th May 2015.

“To ascertain and establish all loans granted to or obtained by the Government of Plateau State of Nigeria through any of its Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs), and the purpose for which such loans were obtained and whether the loans were used for such purpose.”

The statement said the committee will officially be inaugurated this Wednesday.