Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya on Friday suspended the acting Director of Public Prosecutions in the state Ministry of Justice, Abubakar Jungudo, pending the outcome of an investigation into allegations of misconduct levelled against him.
The suspension followed the governor’s approval of the constitution of a high-powered investigative panel to examine the complaints against the senior legal officer.
The decision was conveyed in a statement issued on Friday by the Director-General of Press Affairs, Government House, Ismaila Uba Misilli.
According to the statement, the Head of Civil Service, Prof. Mu’azu Shehu, said the governor approved the panel after considering “the nature and gravity of the allegations” contained in the complaint.
Shehu said, “The Governor, having carefully considered the nature and gravity of the allegations contained in the complaint, directed the immediate suspension of the Acting Director of Public Prosecutions pending the outcome of the investigation.”
He added that the action was taken in line with due process.
According to him, “The decision is in line with the principles of due process and is intended to ensure a fair, transparent and unhindered investigation into the allegations.”
The investigative panel is to be chaired by Justice Haruna Kereng of the Gombe State High Court.
Other members include a director from the Ministry of Justice, representatives of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Force Criminal Investigation Department, Gombe, and the Department of State Services, while the Permanent Secretary, Establishment and Service Matters, Office of the Head of Civil Service, will serve as secretary.
The panel has been directed to commence work immediately by thoroughly investigating the allegations, examining all relevant facts and evidence, and submitting its findings and recommendations to the governor through the Office of the Head of Civil Service.
