Rivers Judicial Commission Begins Hearing ’Morrow

The Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the crisis that rocked the Rivers State House of Assembly on July 9, 2013, has said it would commence full-scale hearing on all memoranda received from stakeholders across the state, tomorrow.
The Chairman of the commission, Justice Biobele A. Georgewill stated this during the resumption of sitting on Monday at the new High Court Complex in Port Harcourt.
Justice Georgewill, announced that the commission has extended the deadline for the submission of memorandum from interested parties in the matter to 48 hours from Monday, adding that the commission would begin full hearing on the memos submitted at the expiration of the new date.
He said the commission’s resolve was based on the numerous requests from members of the society calling for extension of time to enable them submit their memoranda.
According to him, the commission would be open and listen to all irrespective of their leanings so as to give fair hearing to everyone or parties interested in the matter, adding that all memos received would be treated accordingly.
“The commission has listened to the requests made and considered that the 24 hours notice given was inadequate. We, therefore, will resume sitting on Thursday, and we have extended it to 48 hours”, he stated.
He urged anybody who has useful information to share with the commission to approach the secretariat through the secretary, adding that no fee would be charged in course of filling any process to the commission.
The chairman reaffirmed that the commission was a fact-finding one and not meant to witch-hunt anybody, adding that the commission would not send any person to prison as it desired to find the truth in the things that may have triggered the crisis.
Earlier in their separate submissions, counsel to the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Ken Asuawate and that of the 25 lawmakers of the state House of Assembly, B. O. Okoro, thanked the commission for the extension of time, and assured their readiness to work with the panel to find a lasting solution to the assembly crisis in the state.