RVHA Crisis: Probe Panel Begins Sitting, Today …As Chidi Lloyd Takes Plea In Court, ’Morrow

L-R: Alabo Ikpo Diri, HRM King Dandeson Douglas Jaja, Alabo Noble Diri, Alabo Charles Mac-Pepple, during the traditional rulers inspection of Opubo Hotels in Opobo Town, last Saturday.

The Rivers State Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the Rivers State House of Assembly crisis which occurred on the 9th and 10 of July, 2013, will hold its inaugural meeting today.
The commission which is under the chairmanship of Hon Justice Biobele A Georgewill, was inaugurated by Governor Chibuike Amaechi.
Represented by his Deputy, Engr Tele Ikuru during the inauguration, the commission has as its terms of reference; To investigate and ascertain the remote and immediate causes of the crisis at the state House of Assembly on Tuesday, 9th and Wednesday, 10th July, 2013, identify those directly and indirectly involved; the number of persons injured or those  with injury as well as ascertain the properties destroyed, their owners and the value of such properties.
It is also to determine whether external or internal persons or factors outside the Rivers State House of Assembly  influenced or were involved in the crisis and to what extent, and investigate other matters that may come to the knowledge of the commission in the course of its deliberations, not covered in paragraph (A)-(F); and submit recommendations, thereon, on or before October 5, 2013.
Meanwhile, a statement made available to The Tide yesterday in Port Harcourt and signed by the commission’s secretary, Keenam Barinuah Christian said that the sitting holds at High Court ll, Port Harcourt by 12 noon.
It enjoined all interested persons to attend, assuring fair hearing and justice without fear or favour, ill-will or affection, adding that parties shall be treated equally and  fairly with integrity.
In the meantime, the embattled Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Chidi Lloyd, will tomorrow have another opportunity to plead his innocence or guilt in the four-count charge slammed on him by the Nigeria Police following the fracas that engulfed the hallowed Chambers of the Assembly last July 9.
Attempts by counsel to the detained leader of the Assembly, Beluolisa Nwofor (SAN), to secure his release on bail had suffered a major set-back last Friday, following the refusal of the police to produce him in court as directed by the court.
This had prompted Justice Letam Nyordee of the Rivers State High Court, to adjourn the matter to tomorrow, to enable the police produce Lloyd to take his plea in court.
Counsel to Lloyd had last Thursday, secured an ex-parte motion from the court to abridge the date of the matter from Tuesday, August 6, 2013, to Friday, August 2, 2013, so as to enable the detained House leader to take his plea.
In his submission when the matter came up for mention last Friday, at about 3.30pm, Nwofor, had said the police were yet to serve any counter-affidavit to oppose the application, having been served the notice since July 31, 2013.
Nwofor further submitted that though the police failed to produce Lloyd in court, bail could still be granted even when someone is in police custody.
Ruling on the matter, Nyordee, said that the intention of the bail application was contrary to the views expressed by the accused/applicant counsel.
He added that criminal procedure rules require that interlocutory bail application can only be taken when the accused person has been arraigned and plea taken.
The learned judge stated that the essence of the ex-parte motion that was granted on Thursday, was for the police to arraign Lloyd on Friday, but added that since the police failed to do so, the application cannot be heard.
He, therefore, adjourned the matter to Tuesday, August 6, 2013, for the police to produce Lloyd in court so as to enable him take his plea.
Nyordee advised the police to appreciate the importance of plea taking in matters of that nature, and urged them to ensure that the suspect is produced in court on the next adjourned date.
Meanwhile, reactions have continued to trail the threat by a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State to suspend some prominent members of the party in the state, including three serving National Assembly members.
The Felix Obuah-led faction of the party in the state had last Wednesday, threatened to suspend Senator Magnus Abe, Hon Andrew Uchendu and Hon Dakuku Peterside, all ardent supporters of Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, over what it alleged to be disrespect to the party.
But speaking to The Tide last weekend, some stakeholders in the party and the state, advised the Obuah-led executive to tread softly, and explore all possible avenues for reconciliation and peace.
They cautioned that the way and manner the faction of the PDP is going about the crisis in the political landscape in the state, could further plunge the state into more severe political impasse, with serious consequences for the ordinary Rivers people, who are already bruised by the festering imbroglio.
The stakeholders expressed worry at the rush with which the Obuah-led executive was attacking every step and utterance from pro-Chibuike Amaechi supporters, saying that it does appear that their mission was singularly to ensure the collapse of the present administration and the enthronement of a state of anarchy in the state, and appealed to the leadership to retrace their steps and allow peace to reign.