Rivers Rerun: Governor Wike constitutes Judicial Commission of Inquiry

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has constituted a Judicial Commission of Inquiry  to investigate the killings and other violent acts/matters that occured during the December 10 rerun and supplementary  elections in the  State.

The constitution of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry  is contained  in a Special Government Announcement signed by the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Hon Kenneth Kobani.

According  to the announcement , the Judicial Commission of Inquiry  has Hon Justice Chinwendu Nwogu as Chairman. Members  include: Mrs Grace Akpughunum-Okwulehie,

Prof  O.V.C. Okene, Sir Anthony Uzoma Ozurumba, Rev Canon Hossanna Nnaewi, Alphonso Sibi Esq (Chief State Counsel, Secretary) and C. B. Ekeh Esq (Principal  State Counsel, Legal Counsel)

The announcement   read: “In exercise of the powers conferred upon him by Section 2 (1 ) of the Commissions of Inquiry Law of Rivers State  (CAP 30) of Rivers State of Nigeria 1999 and all other powers enabling him in that behalf, the Governor of Rivers State; His Excellency, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, hereby constitutes and appoints a judicial commission  of inquiry to investigate the killings and other violent acts/matters that occured during the December 10, 2016 rerun/supplementary elections to elect members of the National Assembly and House of Assembly in Rivers State.

The Judicial Commission of Inquiry  with full powers and authority is expected  to  hold public hearings.

The Judicial Commission of Inquiry  which will be inaugurated  on Thursday  at the  Executive Council Chambers  of the Government House, Port Harcourt has the following  terms of reference.

▪Investigate the remote and immediate causes of the violence during the December 10 , 2016 rerun/supplementary elections in Rivers State.

▪Identify the perpetrators of the various acts of violence and killings in the aforesaid election.

▪Identify  the victims of the violence including those killed

▪Identify if property was damaged and the value of any such property

▪Determine if the violence was localised to specific areas within the state or was state-wide

▪Make appropriate recommendations concerning their findings or any other recommendations as the  commission may consider appropriate in the  circumstance and

▪Submit its report to the Governor of Rivers State within one (1) month  from the  date of its sitting.

Simeon Nwakaudu,

Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor, Electronic Media.

20th December, 2016.