by Kolapo Olapoju

Governor of Taraba State, Danbaba Suntai is adamant in shunning the recently-constituted medical panel set up by the state House of Assembly to ascertain the state of his health.

Suntai was seriously injured on 25 October, 2012, when a helicopter he was flying crashed near Yola, the Adamawa State capital, after which he was flown abroad for medical treatment at the Wellington Hospital in London.

A five-man medical team was set up by the Speaker of the state ‘House of Assembly’, Mr. Josiah Sabo Kente, to investigate the true state of health of Suntai, who said that the exercise became necessary following a unanimous demand by members of the state’s Executive Council.

The panel was set up in response to a letter from the State Executive Council to the lawmakers to constitute a medical panel to ascertain the mental and physical condition of the governor to determine whether he is capable of taking charge of the state’s affairs.

However, on Sunday, 21 September, Suntai spoke through the state’s Attorney-General And Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Timothy Kataps. He said that since the matter was already before the court, it was not advisable for the governor to appear before the panel.

He said that the issue of the medical team was part of the relief Suntai sought in an earlier suit he instituted against the House of Assembly.

Kataps said, “Remember that the issue of a medical team to examine Suntai was part of the relief we sought in an earlier suit we filed against the House of Assembly. So, until that case is dispensed with, it will not be wise for the governor to appear before any medical team.”

The ailing governor returned to the country two weeks ago, and upon his return, he was unable to walk without assistance and had difficulty recognizing his environment or remembering names, even mixing up details of his travel itinerary.

Kolapo Olapoju