A constitutional lawyer, Dr Akpo Mudiaga-Odje, says the setting up of an administrative panel of enquiry by the Federal Government to look into the crisis that recently engulfed Jos was unconstitutional and of no effect whatsoever.

Odje is of the view that the law which empowered the National Assembly/Executive to set up a tribunal of enquiry into any part of the Federation was made pursuant to the 1963 Constitution which has since been repealed and confined to legal history.

He declared that the 1979 Constitution as well as the 1999 Constitution has effectively stated such powers to belong in the Residual List for the States exclusively.

According to him, except as it relates to events occurring in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Federal Government or National Assembly has no constitutional powers or authority to set up any panel on the Jos crisis.

Odje commended the Governor of Plateau State, Mr. Jonah Jang, for setting up its own panel which he declared was constitutionally recognized and legal.

He however warned that the panel must be comprised of men of valour who would state the case as it was, adding that the Governor must have the courage to implement the report to bring lasting peace to the traumatized people of that usually peaceful State.

He pointed out that a government that claims the Rule of Law as its slogan should demonstrate respect for its own laws and told the Federal Government to stop overheating the already heated polity.

He said: "It is not about political superiority, but it's all about constitutional governance and obedience to the Rule of Law."