Al-Makura Drops Immunity, Testifies Before Human Rights Commission

……. Denies assaulting road user
The Governor of Nasarawa State Umaru Tanko Al-Makura yesterday opted to drop his immunity and testified before the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) investigating alleged convoy assault on a motorist, Lois Iorvihi.

Executive secretary of the commission, Professor Bem Angwe, who led the investigation team of the commission to the Government House in Lafia yesterday explained that they were on a fact finding mission over a complaint filed before the commission alleging assault by the governor’s security aide.

He said that as a commission charged with the responsibility of ensuring the enforcement of fundamental human rights of the citizenry as guaranteed by the nation’s constitution, it deemed it necessary to hear from the governor, his own side of the story having heard from that of the complainant.

Professor Angwe who assured that justice will be done to all parties in the matter, warned that the commission will not allow people who are entrusted with state powers to misuse same at the detriment of the masses.

“I want to say that the commission will not allow those who hold offices of authority, who are endowed with state power to misuse or abuse that power to the detriment of the vulnerable. At the same time the commission will not allow allegations that are aimed merely at causing sensation or exposing public office holders to ridicule and hatred, we must balance the interest”.

He commended the governor for his willingness to submit to the authority of the commission, noting that the action demonstrated that the governor was a respecter of the rule of law.

Stating his own side of the matter, Al-Makura who, said that there was no iota of truth in the allegations against him, pointed out that as a respecter of rule of law and an advocate of human rights, he couldn’t have assaulted the road user.

“I never called the lady a prostitute. She lied against me and some people who had the intention of stigmatizing my name took to social media but I have refused to join issues with them.”