SUNDAY ONYEBUCHI
The Enugu State Government on Thursday presented three witnesses before the seven-member panel investigating allegations of gross misconduct against the Deputy Governor of the State, Sunday Onyebuchi.
The witnesses were the Commissioner for Lands, Chukwuemeka Ujam; the Clerk of the House of Assembly, Chris Chukwura; and the Medical Director of the Government House Clinic, Anthony Ogbonna.
They were led in evidence by the Director of Civil Litigations in the Enugu State Ministry of Justice, Innocent Eze.
Speaking to journalists after the sitting, Mr. Onyebuchi said his priority was for citizens to realise the truth in the case.
The deputy governor said he was not afraid of being removed from office, adding that Nigeria’s democracy was under trial in the state.
“It is true that I am the one standing trial but I want to say also that our democracy is also standing trial.
“I believe that no matter how we want to manipulate the truth or embellish it, it will triumph over falsehood”, Mr. Onyebuchi said.
Mr. Onyebuchi is not being accused of financial impropriety but for running rearing chicken in the deputy governor’s residence and allegedly disobeying the governor.
On the poultry which he allegedly ran in the Government House, he said the birds were taken away on January 27 without a clue to their whereabouts.
“I do not know what happened to the birds up till now, whether they were sold or eaten; I never complained, rather the person who took my birds is the one complaining.
“I believe that I have not committed any crime. I am just here to protect my hard earned reputation because it is more important to me than even the office of the deputy governor.
“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.
Meanwhile, it took the arguments of the deputy governor’s lead counsel, Chris Aghanwa, to allow the media to cover the panel’s proceedings.
The Chairman of the panel, Franklin Oraekeyi, had earlier banned the media from covering its proceedings, arguing that the panel was not out for a public sitting.
(NAN)
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