Reps’ panel ends probe of Bauchi Assembly crisis

THE 12-man panel set up by the House of Representatives to look into the crisis rocking the Bauchi State House of Assembly has concluded its three-day investigation.

The committee, headed by Musa Sarkin Adar received complaints from aggrieved lawmakers and critical stakeholders on Monday.

It has left for Abuja to submit its findings to the National Assembly.

Addressing reporters yesterday at the Bauchi State House of Assembly after a visit to the chamber, Adar said 28 memorandums and oral testimonies were received during the three-day period.

He said the factions cooperated with the panel as they answered questions asked by the panel members.

The committee’s chairman, who refused to reveal the resolutions of the panel, stated that all reports and findings will be submitted to the leadership of the National Assembly, which set up the committee.

The state police command also testified before the panel yesterday.

Commissioner of Police Habu Sani Ahmadu and the DCP, Mohammed Yakubu, absolved the command of any complicity in the crisis rocking the assembly when they were grilled by the panel.

A group known as the All Progressives Youth Parliament in Bauchi (AYP), in its submission before the panel, accused the police of harassing some members on the day of the inauguration.

The secretary of the group, Nasri Shigari, alleged that some members were harassed and teargassed at the inauguration.

He urged the committee to do justice.

A coalition of progressive political parties (CPPP) appealed to the committee to dismiss any allegation of wrongdoing in the process of electing the speaker and the deputy speaker of the Assembly.