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Wike Inaugurates Judicial Commission Of Inquiry For Rivers Rerun Election Violence

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Nyesom Wike, the governor of Rivers State, has inaugurated a judicial commission of inquiry to investigate the killings and other violent acts, and allied matters that occurred during the December 10 legislative re-run and supplementary elections in the State.

At the inauguration event on Thursday, December 22, 2016 Governor Wike charged the commission to find out the number of those killed and who was responsible for their deaths and to ascertain the names of those killed during the conduct of the inconclusive poll.

Justice Chinwendu Nwogu is the head of the chairperson of the judicial commission of inquiry. Members are Grace Akpughunum-Okwulehie, Prof O. V. C. Okene, Sir Anthony Uzoma Ozurumba, Reverend Canon Hossanna Nnaewi, Alphonso Sibi Esq (chief state counsel, secretary) and C. B. Ekeh Esq (principal state counsel, legal counsel)

The governor stated that it is not within the purview of the commission to investigate how the elections were conducted, however.

“This Judicial Commission of Inquiry is not to investigate how they conducted their elections. You are to investigate the murders that attended the elections,” the governor said as the members took their oath. at the Rivers State Government House in Port Harcourt.

“Those involved in the killings will face the full weight of the law.”

“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 occurred during the December 10, 2016 rerun/supplementary elections to elect members of the National Assembly and House of Assembly in Rivers State,” a statement sent to The Trent by Simeon Nwakaudu, a media aide to the governor quoted.

“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.”

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