Champion Newspapers Limited
For a better society

Fallout of LG polls: Rivers Govt inaugurates 7-man judicial commission on arson, killings

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

…As Fubara vows to bring perpetrators to book

13
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

 

Emmanuel Nlewedum, Port Harcourt

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has inaugurated a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate the arson, killings, and destruction of property at various Local Government Council Headquarters in the State.

Governor Fubara inaugurated the seven-member commission at the Executive Chambers of Government House in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

The commission that has one month to conclude its assignment, has Hon. Justice Ibiwengi Roseline Minakiri as Chairman; Mrs. Inyingi Brown as the Secretary; and Barrister Uzor Ikenga as the Counsel.

Other members are Barrister Felicia Nwoke; Prof. Blessing Didia; Sir Samuel Egbe; and Venerable Alex Usifor.

The Governor said the recent attacks and burning of Local Government Councils’ Secretariats on the 7th October, 2024, seemed like a repeat of what was experienced in 2014, months to the General Elections of 2015 when courts were set ablaze, residences bombed and people killed, leading to the closure of courts in Rivers State.

He said his administration will not look away while ill-guided youths and sponsored political thugs turn the State into a theatre of violence without being made to pay for such crimes against the State.

He said, “So, I have decided to take this action to find out the immediate and remote causes of this arson, most importantly, no matter the personalities involved, we must bring them to book.

“So, this assignment is a very important. It is an assignment that, if it is not done rightly, would give the enemies of this State opportunity to continue.

“And if we are right, it is going to be the end of further destruction of public property in the State. I know it is going to be very tasking. I can assure you that there will be threats, but you have to be strong,” he advised.

The Governor stated that it is long overdue to inaugurate the commission of inquiry owing to incidences that have been witnessed since his administration came on board.

He explained that sometime in the past, about October, 2023, a similar incidence was experienced, and because he had thought that everybody was of the same political family, he decided to let go.

He added that the persistence of the violence and differences between people who once had worked together have seamingly destroyed chances of settling any misgivings internally.

Governor Fubara emphasised: “It has become very clear that rather than getting close to the path of peace, this State is gradually turning into a kingdom where law and order is no longer the order of the day. And we cannot fold our hands and allow such thing to happen.

“On the 5th of October, 2024, about four days ago, we had an election in this State. Before the election, we also heard from a lot of quarters, songs of war, (and) threats but we never took them seriously because we believed that a local government election is a prerogative of the State Government. It has nothing to do with anybody anywhere that is outside the confinement of our State.

“And for that reason, we believed strongly that whatever it is, we could manage it to produce the purpose of that election.”

Governor Fubara further said: “But, it is very unfortunate that after the election, even while the election was going on, several things happened, which we managed, thinking it was going to end there.

“The day after the election, there were also more threats from people, and we also thought it was just a normal threat, believing that it was not going to be out of hand but it did.”

Governor Fubara told members of the commission that God has not made any mistake to find them suitable for the assignment given to them.

He urged them to work with the mind of actualising the purpose of the assignment, and noted that history will not forget this responsibility given to them.

Governor Fubara outlined the terms of reference of the assignment given, saying that they must: “Determine the underlying causes of the violence and identify the individuals or groups reasonable for the attacks on some Local Government Council Headquarters and the harm caused to citizens.

“Evaluate the extent of damage to property, infrastructure, and human lives and estimate the financial losses incurred.

“Examine whether the violence was politically motivated, and if so, identify the key players and their roles in instigating the violence.

“Assess the effectiveness of the security agencies’ response to the violence and identify areas for improvement.

“Investigate the actions of individuals and groups involved in the violence in the face of the relevant laws, including the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015, etc.

“Advise on adequate compensation and support for victims and their families, as well as measures to prevent future occurrences.

“Make recommendations on long-term strategies to prevent similar incidents in the future, including recommendations for policy reforms, community engagement, conflict resolution mechanisms, and appropriate sanctions for individuals and groups found culpable.

“Make other relevant recommendations in light of its findings which the commission may consider appropriate,” and also mandated the commission to submit its report within “one month”.

He said the task will not be easy on them but added that they must brace up and do what is right for the good of Rivers State.

Earlier in the day, Governor Fubara, while swearing in four new commissioners into the Rivers State Executive Council at Government House in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, said his administration will not fold its hands and watch sponsored political thugs run berserk, committing arson in the State.

The Governor, assured that the government will work with the Nigerian Police Force and the Directorate of State Services (DSS), put measures in place to unravel those behind the burning of council Secretariats at Ikwerre, Emohua and Eleme LGAs, with a view to making them account for their atrocities.

Governor Fubara said, the sponsored political thugs hatched their plans, and burnt valued buildings at some council secretariats.

He said, “We want to let the people know that what has happened (arson) after the election, we are not going to allow it to go uninvestigated.

“But this time around, I strongly believe, with the support and cooperation of the Nigerian Police and the Directorate of State Services (DSS), we will unravel those behind the assault and make sure that they account for their atrocities.”

Governor Fubara commended Rivers people for their show of patience and calmness despite the fact that they are angry with the reckless acts of the misguided miscreants.

He said, he has continued to show leadership, provided the climate that has engendered productive endeavours, and will not mislead those he is leading.

“As your leader; the one steering the ship, I assure you I will not mislead anyone of you. I still stand on the path of peace. We have cases of arson in some local government areas.

“But, I appreciate your calmness. I have always maintained that we are going to be the greatest losers, if we meet them force-for-force. We need to go with peace.

“So, I will encourage everyone of you not to follow them with violence. We are carrying a basket of precious eggs in our hands. So, we need to follow them with carefulness and wisdom.”

Those sworn in are Hon. Israel Lebura Ngbuelu, Hon. Evans Bapakaye Bipi; Barrister Otamiri John Ngubo; and Hon. Barrister Benibo Anabraba.

Comments are closed.