The plot by the PDP to take another state from the leading opposition party, the APC, through the back door has crashed in Nasarawa State as the panel set up to investigate the 16 allegations of gross misconduct leveled against Governor Umaru Al-Makura by the Nasarawa State House of Assembly on Tuesday dismissed all the allegations, saying the PDP-controlled lawmakers have no evidence.
The Chairman of the panel, Yusuf Usman, during the proceeding of the panel in Lafia, said the assembly failed or neglected to appear before it to prove its allegations.
He said the panel, therefore, had no choice than to dismiss all the allegations.
"The rule of natural justice and our criminal laws put the onus of proof on the complainant, and failure of which the accused is deemed innocent. The house has failed to advance evidence on the 16 allegations.
"The panel agrees with the prayer of the counsel to the governor. It has no option than to dismiss each and every of the charges against the governor."
Usman said the panel had, at the Monday sitting, given a grace of 24 hours to the House of Assembly to appear before it and substantiate its case. He also drew attention to the appearance of counsel to the assembly, led by Mr Ocha Ulegede on Tuesday.
He said rather to bring evidence, the counsel merely faulted the sitting of the panel on composition grounds.
Usman, therefore, said the refusal of the assembly to participate in the proceedings implied that it had failed to tender evidence to prove its case.
He said the panel, in compliance with section 188, sub section 8 of the Constitution, would transmit its decision to the state House of Assembly.
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