as Enugu Professionals express satisfaction with Panel’s verdict

By Tony Edike

ENUGU—Enugu State government yesterday described as cheap blackmail claims by impeached deputy governor of the state, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi, that his official vehicles were forcefully removed from his house by its agents.

This came as Enugu Professionals Forum, EPF, expressed satisfaction with the procedures followed by the government in impeaching the deputy governor.
The government said in a statement issued last night:  “It’s utterly dishonourable for anybody to peddle such falsehood. Upon his removal as the deputy governor, and with his consent, the chief driver attached to him (Onyebuchi) was the person who returned the official vehicles attached to the office of the deputy governor to the Government House chief driver.

“It’s most unfortunate if he continues to seek undeserved public sympathy by claiming that the vehicles were forcefully taken away. Or having ceased to function as the deputy governor, did he expect to seize the official vehicles attached to the office? Or were his private cars returned to government?
“To put the matter in clear perspective, it was the official vehicles bought by the Enugu State Government for the office of deputy governor that were returned.”

Meanwhile, Enugu Professionals Forum, EPF, has expressed satisfaction with the procedures followed by relevant authorities towards Tuesday’s impeachment of the Deputy Governor, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi, even as other groups and notable persons equally agreed with his removal.

The Professionals, in a statement signed by the Secretary-General, Nebechi Ugo said it was satisfied that all the parties in the matter were accorded fair hearing while other necessary procedures undertaken from the day impeachment proceedings were commenced by the House of Assembly to the eventual impeachment, were religiously observed.
The group described Onyebuchi’s post-impeachment remarks faulting the investigative panel’s report as the ranting of a loser, saying the three arms of government involved showed due diligence and respect for the rule of law in conducting the processes leading to last Tuesday’s action.

“The Enugu Professionals Forum monitored the case of the impeachment of the Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi very closely, right from the beginning till the end and we’re satisfied and impressed with the fact that all due processes as prescribed by law were followed by the concerned authorities.  Indeed  all the arms of government  involved in the matter showed exemplary maturity and due  regard for rule of  law in all their actions,” the  group  said.