The Zamfara House of Assembly has expressed confidence in the witnesses presented at the investigative panel hearing for the impeachment process against Deputy Governor Mahadi Aliyu-Gusau.

A counsel to the lawmakers/complainant and the director of legal matters of the parliament, Nasiru Jangebe, stated this while speaking with journalists after the maiden sitting of the impeachment panel held at High Court 4, Gusau.

“You know, we have mentioned our case and led seven witnesses before the panel, and the matter was adjourned to Tuesday for address,” he stated. “We are satisfied with all our submissions. We believe that the witnesses are credible and unchallengeable.”

On the restraining order by the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, Mr Jangebe said there was no impeachment process against the deputy governor when that order was issued.

“You know by the provision of the constitution, once the impeachment process starts, no court should interfere in the matter. Therefore, as far as I am concerned, that order will not affect this process,” he explained.

The Zamfara deputy governor was absent at the sitting without a representation.

Last week, the Zamfara parliament accused some of its lawmakers of taking bribes in dollars to thwart the impeachment of Deputy Governor Mahdi Aliyu-Gusau while disclosing it had begun investigating some of its members for collecting bribes to thwart the impeachment.

“The state assembly has agreed that some members received hard currency to shelve the impeachment of the deputy governor, and we are investigating them, and we will make our findings public,’’ stated House Committee on Information chairman Shamsudeen Bosko.

He added that the deputy governor’s impeachment would go on notwithstanding any court pronouncement against it.

“No court can stop the impeachment,’’ Mr Bosko told a news conference on Tuesday. He argued that the process was in line with section 188 (5) (7) of the country’s 1999 Constitution.

According to him, 18 of the 24 legislators voted in favour of the impeachment when allegations of financial misconduct, insubordination, and failure to perform assigned duties were filed against Mr Aliyu-Gusau.

On February 14, the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court warned the Zamfara parliament against the plan to impeach the deputy governor.

Justice Inyang Ekwo gave the warning after Emmanuel Ukala (SAN), counsel to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the deputy governor, prayed the court to restrain the lawmakers from impeaching him.

Mr Ekwo did not specifically give the restraining order. He, however, held that since parties in the suit had subjected themselves to the court’s jurisdiction, no party should take any action during the pendency of the matter.

In carrying out its plan, the legislators requested the chief judge of Zamfara, Kulu Aliyu, to constitute a seven-member committee to investigate the deputy governor.

Mr Aliyu, on February 14, inaugurated a seven-man panel to investigate allegations of gross misconduct and abuse of office against Mr Aliyu-Gusau.

(NAN)