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, 2019
General Elections in Rivers State.
The governor also inaugurated the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the
violent invasion and attack on the Rivers State Judiciary and destruction
of public properties which occurred at the Judiciary Complex on 11 May,
2018.
Governor Wike inaugurated both commissions on Thursday at the Government
House, Port Harcourt, with a charge that they should submit their
reports after 30days.
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.
For the Judicial Commission of Inquiry to Investigate the violence,
Killings and related matters during the 2019 General Elections, Governor
Wike said some of their terms of reference include:
▪Investigate the remote and immediate causes of the violence, killings
and other related acts/matters which occurred during the February 23 and
March 9, 2019 General Elections in Rivers State.
▪identify the sponsors and perpetrators of the various acts of violence
and killings in the state during the period of the aforesaid elections.
▪identify the victims of the violence including those killed during the
said elections.
▪identify the motives if any behind the said violence, killings and other
related acts/matters during the aforesaid general elections in Rivers
State.
Governor Wike said that the Judicial Commission of Inquiry investigating
the violence during the 2019 General Elections has 10 terms of reference.
For the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the invasion of the State
Judiciary, Governor Wike the panel has 14 terms of reference. Some of
them are:
▪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 which occurred at the
Judiciary Complex, Port Harcourt on 11th May, 2018.
▪identify the persons who participated in, masterminded, counseled or
procured others to participate in the violent invasion, attack,
disruption of activities of the Rivers State Judiciary and destruction of
public properties which occurred at the Judiciary Complex, Port Harcourt
on 11th Day of May, 2018.
▪identify and ascertain, the targets of the said invasion, violence and
disruption of activities at the Rivers State Judiciary Complex on the
aforementioned date.
Governor Wike said that it is unfortunate that anyone would plot the
attack on the Judiciary, which is the last hope of everyone. He pointed
out that 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 2019 General
Elections, Justice Monima Danagogo said that the commission will carry
out its duties in line with the extant laws.
He said that the members of the Commission will carry out the function
with dispatch as they have 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 cannot be swept under
the carpet.
He said that the desecration of the temple of justice is anathema to any
democracy.