Chairman of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up to look into the violent invasion and attack on the Rivers State High Court, Justice Simeon C. Amadi has 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.
He stated this on Thursday during the inauguration of 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 and 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 by Governor Nyesom Wike.
Governor Wike inaugurated both commissions 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, counselled 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 despatch as they have a duty to the State.
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