SAFAR 24 1431 A.H.
MONDAY FEBRUARY 8, 2010.
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Lagos Assembly inaugurates 6-man panel to probe Fashola
The Lagos state House of Assembly on Wednesday inaugurated a six-member panel to investigate an allegation of financial recklessness against Governor Babatunde Fashola.
The panel is led by the Chief Whip of the Assembly, Dr Razaq Balogun, while other members are: Mr Rotimi Olowo (Shomolu 1), Mr Sanai Agunbiade (Ikorodu 1), Mrs Adefunmilayo Tejuosho (Mushin 2), Mrs Omowunmi Olatunji-Edet, (Oshodi/Isolo) and Mr Moshood Oshun (Lagos Mainland 2).
The panel is expected to submit its report on February 15, a group of persons had in an advertorial in a national daily last week accused Fashola of financial recklessness.
Speaker, Adeyemi Ikuforiji said at the inauguration in Ikeja that the probe was not to witch-hunt anybody but being carried out in line with constitutional provisions.
Ikuforiji, urged members of the panel to ``painstakingly carry out independent investigations`` to find out the truth, advising members to discharge their duties without fear or favour.
The speaker said, the inquiry would be carried out in the open to show that the Assembly did not have a hidden agenda.
He urged members of the public with vital information to make them available to the House, urging the public to participate in public hearings to be organised on the issue.
``The setting up of the probe panel will help immensely in building blocks of democratic governance as well as guarantee sustainable, virile and strong democratic institutions,’’ he said.
The speaker added that it would enhance accountability and transparency in governance, the panel was empowered to call on anybody or group with either written or oral evidence to tender such from anywhere in the country.
He said, the panel was also empowered to issue a warrant to compel anyone to appear before it, explaining further that the Assembly could impose fines on those who would fail to appear before the panel.
Responding on behalf of the members of the panel, Balogun thanked the Assembly for reposing confidence in them and pledged that the panel would discharge its duties well.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the panel was set up during a plenary session of the House on January 28.
