The embattled Enugu State Deputy Governor, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi, yesterday appeared before the 7-man panel, set up by the state Chief Judge, Innocent Umezulike, investigating allegations of gross misconduct leveled against him by the state house of assembly.
Onyebuchi, who is currently facing impeachment by the state house of assembly, said he was not afraid of being removed from office, but that before he goes, he must let the people know the truth concerning his travails.
Onyebuchi, who spoke to newsmen for the first time as Enugu State deputy governor, said Nigeria’s democracy was under trial in the state.
The deputy governor, while expressing confidence that justice would triumph, said “it is true that I am the one standing trial, but I want to say also that our democracy is also standing trial. I want to say also that justice is on trial; I want to say also that the integrity of all those involved, including that of the panel members, is on trial.
“I believe that no matter how we want to manipulate truth and try to embellish it, eventually, if not now, the truth will triumph over falsehood,” he observed.
Lamenting his current travails, he said, “this is a situation where the person who is being marched did not complain, rather the person, who is marching on him is the one complaining.
“On the poultry in question, by January 27, all the birds were removed; I did not know what happened to them, whether they were sold or eaten; I never complained, rather the person who took my birds is the one complaining,” he said.
Speaking further, he said he was confident that it was a straight forward case, stressing that he believes that he has not committed any crime.
“I am here because I believe that it is better to defend myself and protect my hard earned reputation. It is more important to me that even the office of the deputy governor.
“I do not mind leaving the office, but the public must know that I did not commit any offence, that I did not do anything that will justify my being removed.
“Let the people of Enugu State; let Nigerians be the judge as to how honourable the members of the Enugu State House of Assembly are in this matter.
“I believe that eventually, I will triumph; there is a panel of man, there is a court of man, but more importantly, there is a court of God where nobody can manipulate the truth. He will also give His verdict at the appropriate time,” he added.
The Chairman of the Investigating panel, Mr. Oraekeyi Franklin had earlier banned the media from covering its proceedings, a situation that was roundly opposed by Onyebuchi’s lawyers.
The lawyer sighted the cases of Adamawa and Nasarawa States, where the panels carried out their investigations at the full glare of the public, and wondered why the case of Enugu State should be different.
At the sitting of the panel, three witnesses were led in evidence against Onyebuchi by the Director of Civil litigations in the Enugu State Ministry of Justice, Mr. Innocent Eze.
Eze, who appeared on behalf of the Enugu State House of Assembly, led the Commissioner of Land in the state, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ujam, the Clerk of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Chris Chukwura and the Medical Director of the Enugu Government House Clinic in evidence.
Other aides of Governor Sullivan Chime, the commissioner for Enugu Capital Territory Development, Ikechukwu Ugwuegede, are equally expected to testify against the deputy governor today. – National Mirror.
