Wike inaugurates judicial commission of inquiry on electoral violence
Amaka Agbu, Port Harcourt
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has inaugurated the judicial commission of inquiry to investigate the violence, killings, and other related matters which occurred during the February 23 and March 9 general elections in the state.
The governor also inaugurated the judicial commission of inquiry into the violent invasion and attack on the state judiciary and the destruction of public properties which occurred at the judiciary complex on May 11, 2018.
Governor Wike inaugurated both commissions on Thursday at the Government House, Port Harcourt, with a charge that they should submit their reports after 30 days.
While Justice Monina Danagogo is the chairman of the judicial commission on election violence, Justice Simeon C. Amadi chairs the commission on the invasion and attack on the Rivers State Judiciary Complex.
The governor said though the function before the two judicial commissions of inquiry would be tasking, he urged the members to diligently work to deliver within the scheduled period.
Other terms of reference for the commission, include investigating the remote and immediate causes of the violence, killings, and other related acts/matters which occurred during the February 23 and March 9 general elections, identify the sponsors and perpetrators of the various acts of violence and killings, identify victims of the violence, including those killed, identify the motives if any behind the said violence, killings and other related acts/matters.
Governor Wike said that the judicial commission of inquiry investigating the violence during the general elections had 10 terms of reference, while the judicial commission of inquiry into the invasion of the state judiciary complex has 14 terms of reference.
Prominent among the terms of reference are to ascertain and identify the immediate, and remote causes of and/or the motives behind the violent invasion and attack on the Rivers state judiciary and destruction of public properties, identify the persons who participated in, masterminded, counseled or procured others to participate in the violent invasion, identify and ascertain the targets of the said invasion.
He said that “it was unfortunate that anyone would plot the attack on the judiciary which is the last hope of everyone. The former Rivers state governor who shut down the courts, was the first to seek refuge when the courts were re-opened.”
Responding, Chairman of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate the violence, killings and other related matters during the general elections, Justice Monima Danagogo, said that the commission would carry out its duties in line with extant laws.
He said that the members of the commission would carry out the functions with dispatch as they had a duty to the state.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the violent invasion and attack on the Rivers State Judiciary, Justice Simeon C. Amadi, said the invasion of the state judiciary complex cannot be swept under the carpet.
He said that the alleged desecration of the temple of justice was anathema to any democracy.
