PDP Sues Rivers Government Over Political Violence Probe

Forum 8 years ago

PDP Sues Rivers Government Over Political Violence Probe

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State has filed a suit before the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, against the state government over the setting up a Commission of Inquiry to look into the politically motivated killings in the state.


However, the Federal High Court is yet to fix date for the hearing of the suit.


Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, had on April 16, 2015 inaugurated a nine-man Commission of Inquiry, headed by the Chairman of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Prof. Chidi Anselem Odinkalu with the mandate to investigate why the victims were killed, who killed them, under what circumstances and for the commission to make useful recommendations that will help government forestall future occurrences.

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Other members of the Commission include; Sir Samuel Egbe, secretary, Prof. Nlerum Okogbule. Others are; Professor Owunari A. Georgewill, Dr. Richard Ofuru, Mrs. Asivosuo M. Oriye, Dr. Joy Ejiofor, Mrs. Ayo M. O. Obe, and Rev. Father Michael Akiri as members.


But, the PDP in the suit said Amaechi is not qualified to set up a Commission of Inquiry, having been partisan and personally involved in the subject matter of the proposed inquiry in which he accuse the PDP of masterminding.


The party’s grouse in the suit is that the subject matter of the inquiry which relates to allegation of politically motivated killings and violence against persons and properties in Rivers State are criminal in nature, which only the Police and the Judiciary has the power to investigate and make inquiries into such matters.


The PDP also claimed that persons appointed into membership of the Commission of Inquiry are known loyalist of Amaechi, and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.