……….Gives Commission 60 Days To Submit Its
Report
Following
the reported violence that trailed the conduct of the re-scheduled Governorship
election in Southern Ijaw local government area, Bayelsa State Governor, Hon.
Seriake Dickson has inaugurated a 6 member Judicial Commission of Inquiry with
an 8 point terms of reference.
Performing
the inauguration at the Executive Council Chambers of Government House, Yenagoa
on Monday, the commission is to determine among others, the number and
identities of persons that were injured or killed during the violence that
occurred in parts of the state from the 3rd to
6th of December, 2015.
Also the
commission headed by Justice Margret Akpomiemie
of the High Court of Bayelsa State is to determine the number and
identities of persons, if any that were killed by extra-judicial means or by
violence, or by secret cult related activities or other related activities in
the state from 2007 till date.
Other
terms of reference as assigned to the commission, include, determining the
extent of damage to properties, if any during the said incident and it is
expected to make its recommendations and submit its report within 60 days.
Governor
Dickson, who stressed that the terms of reference was not in any way political,
charged the commission to identify the perpetrators of the said killings,
violence, mayhem and breaches of the peace and recommend appropriate sanctions.
“To
determine the role played by the security agencies in the said incident, in all
incidents if any. To recommend measures aimed at averting future occurrences of
such incidents.
To make
any other recommendations as the commission may deem fit under the
circumstances.
According
to the Governor, the setting up of the commission of inquiry was in line with
the powers conferred on him by Section 2 of the commission of Inquiry Law Cap 8
Laws of Bayelsa State and charged the commission to do any such lawful act for
the purpose of giving effect to all the terms of reference.
Contrary
to the argument of the leading opposition party, the All Progressives Congress,
(APC), the governor submitted that setting up of the commission is not
political, but aimed at digging deep into the root cause of the violence and
bring the perpetrators to book.
He said
that whoever is indicted in the course of investigation irrespective of his/her
political afflation and no matter how highly placed in the society, would be
dealt with in accordance with the state penal code.
Members of
the commission are, Brig. Gen. Bob Ake (rtd), Dr. Martha Akpana, Chief Mathias
Simeon, Barr. Tamadu Abasi is to serve as counsel to the commission while Mr.
Abraham Lord Ekiamane as secretary.
Responding,
Chairman of the Commission of Inquiry, Justice Margaret Akpomiemie, expressed
appreciation to the Governor for the confidence reposed in them.
She urged
members of the public to come forward with substantial evidence to enable the
commission discharge its functions creditably.
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