By Abiola Olawale
Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has announced the constitution of a seven-man judicial committee following the surge of violent cases that occurred in the oil-rich state.
Fubara explained that the committee will look into the arson, killings, and other forms of violence that occurred in the state before and after Saturday’s local government election.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Office of the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo, on Tuesday.
Danagogo noted that the setting up of the judicial committee was under Section 2(1) of the Commissions of Inquiry Law, Cap 30, Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria, 1999.
The statement reads in part: “His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, Governor of Rivers State, has approved the Setting-up of a Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the arson, killings, and wanton destruction of property at some Local Government Council Headquarters which occurred on or about Monday, October 7, 2024.”
Members of the Commission are:
(1) Hon. Justice I.R. Minakiri – Chairman
(2) Barr. Felicia Nwoke – Member
(3) Prof. Blessing Didia – Member
(4) Sir Samuel Egbe – Member
(5) Venerable Alex Usifor – Member
(6) Barr. Uzor Ikenga – Counsel to the Commission
(7) Mrs. Inyingi Brown – Secretary
The New Diplomat reports that the development comes after Ikwerre, Eleme, and Emohua Local Government Council secretariats were set ablaze following the withdrawal of the police officers securing the 23 council secretariats by the commissioner of police, Kayode Egbetokun.
