BY ABUCHI IFESINACHI, AWKA
The Anambra State Chief Judge, Justice Peter Umeadi, has inaugurated a seven-member panel to investigate the allegation of gross misconduct leveled against the impeached Chairman of Onitsha South Local Council Area, Mrs Ann Chukwuneke
Inaugurating the panel at the Judiciary Headquarters, Awka on Tuesday, the state Chief Judge, Justice Peter Umeadi charged the members to submit its’ report within three months.
“The constitution of this panel is made based on the provision of Section 66 (4) of the Local Government Law 1999, Law No. 5 of 2000 of Anambra State of Nigeria and other enactments.
“Your duty is to look into the allegations of gross misconduct against the chairman,” he said.
While assuring that the state judiciary would provide all the logistics needed by the panel, he enjoined them to ensure that the tenets of fair hearing and equal treatment were given to all parties.
“The accused person has the right to appear before the panel and with the aid of legal practitioners,” Umeadi added.
Responding, the chairman of the panel, Mr Linus Nweke, promised to be fair while carrying out the assignment to the best of their ability.
Other members of the panel are Mr Peter Ogudebe as Secretary, while Mr Ifeanyi Nnaobi, Mr Emeka Ogugua, Mr Anslem Afoka, Mr Charles Okafor and Mr Paul Orjiewulu are members.
247ureports, further recalled that Chukwuneke, who was impeached by 12 councilors, was accused of breaching Section 2 (E) amendments 2014 of the 1999 Local Government Law on Section 75.
She was further accused of not rendering monthly statements of income and expenditure to the council for examination as well as allegedly siphoning revenue accruing to the council, among others.
247ureports , recalled that Chukwuneke was impeached by a two third majority of council ‘ s Legislative Chamber on 30 Oct,2014