The noose has further tightened around the neck of embattled Deputy Governor of Imo State, Sir Jude Agbaso, following the constitution, by the state Chief Judge, Justice Benjamin Njemanze, of a seven-man judicial panel of inquiry to investigate the allegations against him.

The action of the chief judge followed a request by the Imo State House of Assembly, and is a constitutional requirement before a governor or his deputy could be impeached.

A notice of constitution of the panel issued March 15 and signed by Justice Njemanze contained FIVE IMPEACHABLE OFFENCE allegedly committed by Agbaso. The document made available to News Express contained the following “particulars of misconduct”:

1. “That you, Sir Jude Agbaso, Deputy Governor, with intent to deceive the Committee and mislead the House of Assembly, told the Special Ad-Hoc Committee of the House investigating the remote causes of stoppage/abandonment of work on some roads in the State, in your testimony before the Committee stated that you never had dealings or telephone conversation with Mr. Joseph Dina of JPROS International Nig. Ltd. In February-June 2012, which facts were false and intended to cover your private/underground dealings with Mr. Joseph Dina which amounts to gross misconduct in the performance of your duties as the Deputy Governor.

2. “That Your Excellency, Sir Jude Agbaso, with intent to enrich yourself did cause Mr. Joseph Dina of JPROS International Nig. Ltd. to transfer the sum of N458,000,000.00 (four hundred and fifty eight million naira only) in two installments to two different Bank Accounts on your instruction and directive on the promise of award of 2 Nos. of 15kilometre road to Messrs JPROS International Nig. Ltd., which conduct amounts to gross misconduct in the performance of your duty as a Deputy Governor and Commissioner for Works and Transport.

3. “That Your Excellency, Sir Jude Agbaso, received a special drink “Blue Label (Porsche Design)” from Mr. Joseph Dina of Messrs JPROS International Nig. Ltd. in your house at MCC Road in February 2012, which said gift had the effect of preventing you from exercising due diligence on the payment and insisting on proper execution of the Contract by Messrs JPROS International Nig. Ltd., as required by the rules in consonance with your oath of office as Commissioner for Works and Transport in the Government of Imo State which said fact amounts to gross misconduct in the performance of your duty as Deputy Governor.

4. “That Your Excellency, Sir Jude Agbaso, as Commissioner for Works and Transport knowing that the Governor’s approval means “approval and release” of money to Contractor, failed and neglected to ensure that Messrs JPROS International Nig. Ltd. earned necessary certificates of payment of re-negotiated contract price of N1,150,000,000.00 (one billion, one hundred and fifty million naira only) in favour of Messrs JPROS International Nig. Ltd.; which said fact amounts to gross misconduct in the performance of your duty as Deputy Governor and Commissioner for Works and Transport.

5. “That Your Excellency, Sir Jude Agbaso, failed, refused and neglected to take reasonable steps to prevent the release of the sum of N1,150,000,000.00 (one billion, one hundred and fifty million naira only), upon the endorsement of the Governor’s approval to your office as Commissioner for Works and Transport knowing that the Contractor has not earned the necessary performance certificates and thereby caused the State loss of money which said fact amounts to gross misconduct in the performance of your duty as Deputy Governor.”

The seven-man panel headed by Justice G. C. Ihekire will be inaugurated on March 19.

Already, 25 out of the 27 legislators across the parties have signed for Agbaso’s removal from office. The impeachment noticed was served through a substituted means following the disappearance from the state by Sir Agbaso, who has gone to court in a bid to stave off the impending impeachment axe.

•Photo: Sir Agbaso.