Gov Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau has denounced a allegation by a “faceless” civil society organization that former Gov Simon and other APC chieftains offered a bribe of N2.8 billion to the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, to secure unfavourable judgments against the PDP.
The group, which claims to be a civil society organization with no fixed address, had in a statement issued on Tuesday, called for the arrest of Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem for allegedly facilitating a N2.8 billion bribe from former Gov Simon Lalong and other APC chieftains to procure favourable judgments of the Appeal Court that nullified two PDP National Assembly seats from Plateau.
Mutfwang, who alleged that the group, which is merely masquerading as a Civil Society Organization but aligned with the opposition APC in Plateau State, called on the Department of State Services, DSS, and other security agencies to diligently investigate and apprehend the authors of the statement.
Gov Mutfwang also called on all respected authorities and the public to dismiss the group’s statement, which he described as being meticulously crafted by mischief-makers aiming to malign him and the PDP.
“Governor Mutfwang unequivocally states that neither he nor any authorized representative has issued statements regarding the recent Appeal Court judgment. The PDP has not engaged any Civil Society Organization to comment on this matter.
“It is imperative to clarify that PDP at any level, particularly the Plateau State Chapter and Governor Mutfwang uphold the rule of law.
“The spurious allegations against Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, accusing the Governor of supporting President Bola Tinubu’s administration and former Governor Nyesome Wike, are not only mere fabrications but also an attempt to tarnish the Governor’s image,” the statement signed by Mutfwang’s spokesman, Gyang Bere, said.
The statement reads in full below:
RE: PLATEAU PDP ELECTION APPEAL TRIBUNAL JUDGEMENT: DEMAND FOR JUSTICE AND TRUTH
The attention of the Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has been drawn to a baseless statement purported to have been issued by an unidentified group, suspected to be aligned with the opposition in the State, masquerading as a Civil Society Organization.
In the write-up captioned, “PLATEAU PDP ELECTION APPEAL TRIBUNAL JUDGEMENT, CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATION CALLS FOR THE ARREST OF COURT OF APPEAL PRESIDENT. JUSTICE MONICA DONGBAM OVER 2.8BILLION NAIRA BRIBE FROM ROTIMI AMEACHI, YARI, EL-RUFAI, LALONG AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MEMBER, this group, recklessly calls for the arrest of the President of the Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem. Their claims hinge on the judgment of the Appeal Court that nullified two PDP National Assembly seats from Plateau.
Governor Mutfwang unequivocally states that neither he nor any authorized representative has issued statements regarding the recent Appeal Court judgment. The PDP has not engaged any Civil Society Organization to comment on this matter.
The spurious allegations against Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, accusing the Governor of supporting President Bola Tinubu’s administration and former Governor Nyesome Wike, are not only mere fabrications but also an attempt to tarnish the Governor’s image and consistent with the antics of mischief makers who had issued fake Press Statements to create confusion and enmity between the Mutfwang Administration and the citizens of Plateau State in the first two months of his Administration.
It is imperative to clarify that PDP at any level, particularly the Plateau State Chapter and Governor Mutfwang uphold the rule of law.
As a renowned Lawyer with over three decades of practice, the Governor knows too well the workings of the Courts, upholds the industry of their Lordships will never contemplate or support the subversion of justice or malign the integrity, character and honor of the daughter of Plateau State and the President Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem.
It is against this background that Governor Mutfwang urges the Department of State Security, DSS, and other security agencies to diligently investigate and apprehend the authors of this malicious article.
As a staunch believer in the rule of law, the Governor affirms his commitment to upholding the dignity of constituted authorities responsible for the dispensation of justice and leadership in the country and elsewhere.
Hence, Governor Mutfwang calls upon all respected authorities and the public to dismiss this misleading article, meticulously crafted by mischief-makers aiming to besmirch the Governor and the Plateau PDP.
