The Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the crisis in the Rivers State House of Assembly has ordered all persons and organizations mentioned in the memoranda already submitted to also turn in their responses to the accusations before noon on Tuesday, August 20, when hearing would commence. Some of the affected persons include the Minister of State for Education, Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike, Commissioner of Police, Mr. Joseph Mbu and the Area Commander, MOPOL 19. Also, some members of the House of Assembly, Evans Bipi, representing Ogu/Bolo(the purported Speaker) Victor Ihunwo, representing Port Harcourt City III, Michael Chinda (Obio/Akpor constituency II) and Kelechi Nwogu (Omuma Constituency), were invited. Others were Emeka Woke, one Oluchi, General Manager, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Port Harcourt, General Manager, 92.3 FM, Port Harcourt, among others. Chairman of the commission, Justice Biobele Georgewill, who mentioned their names yesterday, at the venue of the inquiry in Port Harcourt, said the memoranda would be published in a newspaper circulating in the state, especially in Port Harcourt. Justice Georgewill said that only three memoranda had been received by the commission from the Speaker, Otelemaba Dan Amachree, leader of the House, Chidi Lloyd and the 25 members of the Assembly. He re-affirmed the panel’s position to give fair hearing to all the parties in the crisis which occurred in the House on July 9 and 10 this year. “The judicial commission believes, having taken this step to ensure due notice of the allegations made against some named persons and organisations by due publication, all those whose names or organisations were mentioned in those memos, would seize the opportunity of this publication to respond to those memos and submit their responses to the judicial commission through the Hon. Secretary of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry,” he said. No memoranda had been received by the five anti-Governor Chibuike Amaechi lawmakers. Meanwhile, hearing was adjourned till August 20 by noon, at the Rivers State High Court 11
Posted on: Sat, 17 Aug 2013 19:12:10 +0000