…Reinstated G15 fingers Gov. Bello
…Soldiers are doing their work – Gov.
By Musa Tanimu Nasidi, Lokoja.
The Judgment by the Federal High Abuja, reinstating the Rt. Hon. Momoh Jimoh Lawal G-15 members, may have suffered another set back as detachment of Soldiers from the Command Army record were said to have led the unlawful G-5 Legislators to the Assembly complex to sit.
The soldiers loaded in three Hilux Pick-up van, allegedly led by one Captain Usman, were said to have taken off from the state government along with the G-5 Legislators also in a 30-seater Toyota coaster bus to the Assembly complex.
It was learnt that the G-5 Legislators upon arriving the complex, met heavily armed Police men blocking the gate and halted the Soldier led convoy from entering the Assembly complex.
This reporter further gathered that the Police went into verbal confrontation with the Soldiers who insisted that the gate be open for convoy.
In a bid to avoid unnecessary confrontation with the fierce Army looking escort, the the Police were said to have withdrew from the blockade and allow the G5 and their Army escort gained access to the complex.
The state Police Commissioner, Mr. Yakubu Usman, in a Telephone chat with Journalists, confirmed that he ordered his men to withdrew from the Assembly to avoid bloodshed.
Another drama equally took place at on Monday evening, when on unknown gun men in masks invaded the Legislative quarters, where the Speaker Momoh Jimoh Lawal and other G15 members resides.
The gun men were said to have stormed the quarters in 7 Toyota Hilux Van and began to shoot sporadically for almost an hour, the action which was conceived to intimidate the G5 Legislators or attack the Speaker.
Confirming the incident, the G15 members in a Press Conference alleged that the unknown assassins were sent from the government house.
Speaking on behalf of the Legislators the Majority leader of the state Assembly, Hon. Mathew Kolawole, alleged that the vehicles used by the invaders, we’re from the state government house.
“One of the Vehicle’s plate Number was identified as KGGH 094. As if that was not enough the same group invaded us this morning (Yesterday) , and the same Vehicle with same plate number was identified, they shot severally on the air for over thirty minute, all in an attempt to scare us.”
He said the G5, given the circumstances, report the incident to the Police and SSS.
“We called on the Police and SSS attention on the situation and also sought for their advice, if it is okay for us to go to the house and conduct proceedings, we were later advised not to go, and we were assured that security will be beefed up to secure the Assembly and disallow any one from Sitting untill situation is calm.”
The Legislators, who displayed some live bullet shells to Journalists, accused one of the G5 members, Hon Friday Sanni, who they alleged boasted that they have the support of the governor to continue their sitting irrespective of any judgment.
Hon. Kolawole therefore declared that in view of the circumstances, they have decided to adjourn sitting till 14th of June.
Meanwhile, Governor Yahaya Bello have exonerated the state government involvement in the incident.
The governor, who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Kingley Fanwo, said that only the Presidency have the power to order the Nigeria Army for any action and not the governor.
While reaffirming the state government commitment to the rule of law, Bello however said the Soldier who led the G5 Legislators were only doing their work.
Momoh Jimoh Lawal and Kogi Assembly Members at House of Assembly Residential Quarters
