NAN – Senator Solomon Ewuga (PDP-Nasarawa state), has faulted the report of the panel that investigated the Ombatse crisis that led to the killing of several security agents in Nasarawa state.
The report was submitted by the Justice Joseph Fola Gbadeyan-led Commission of Inquiry, which was set up by Nasarawa state government to look into the Alakyo killings of May 7, 2013.
The report indicted Mr. Ewuga and others of financing the Ombatse Cultural group.
Mr. Ewuga told journalists on Tuesday in Abuja that though he was yet to see the report, he was surprised that Governor Tanko Al-Makura read the report and came out with appropriate punishment within two days.
He expressed surprise that a panel, which invited him as a witness and not as an accused, could find him guilty of an offence without giving him the opportunity of fair hearing.
“I have not seen the white paper and the panel’s recommendation, but whatever my response is today is based on what I saw in the media.
“First on AIT on Monday and then on the pages of newspapers on Tuesday.
“The report was handed in on Friday (last week) and it is a six-volume report. The fact that the White Paper is already out indicates premeditation.
“It was an ingenuous thing to have read those volumes and to decipher the appropriateness of the punishment or otherwise within two days”, he said.
The lawmaker distanced himself from the alleged financing of the activities of the Ombatse Cultural Group.
He said that he was being witch hunted for being visible politically in the state.
Mr. Ewuga described the accusation of financing the group as ‘curious’, saying he would make a formal statement once he got the White Paper.
