Politics
RVHA To Appeal Judgement Against Commission
After about three weeks of jostling from one court to another almost on daily basis following the detention of the Leader of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Chidi Lloyd, on July 23
rd 2013 and the Climax of his release on bail on August 7, 2013, parliamentary new hounds have experiencing news drought. No thanks to the lingering crisis in the spite Assembly.
Attention on Assembly reportage shifted to the Judicial Commission of Enquiry set up by the State Government to among other things identify the remote and immediate causes of the July 9, 2013 fracas on the floor of the Assembly.
The Commission had its second sitting on Monday what it called “full-scale hearing” on all memoranda received from stakeholders on Thursday, August 15, 2013.
Chairman of the Commission, Justice Biobele Georgewill, explained that the 48 – hour extension of the deadline for submission of memoranda by interested parties in the matter was sequel to numerous requests from members of the society, who called for the extension to enable them submit their memoranda.
Goergewill assured that the Commission would be open and listen to all irrespective of their leanings in order to give fair hearing to all parties in the matter.
He reaffirmed that the Commission was a fact finding one, not meant to witch-hunt anybody, adding that it would not send anyone to prison since its sole desire is to find the truth in what may have triggered the crisis.
When the Commission reconvened on Thursday, it took three key decisions: the first was to invite the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Mbu J. Mbu, the Minister of State for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, the State PDP Chairman, Felix Obuah and other interested parties to appear before it.
The second was to publish all memoranda received in a local newspaper based in Port Harcourt, while the third was a reaffirmation to be fair in its activities.
The next day (Friday), a High Court presided over by Justice Liyayi Amankara, ruled that the Commission should suspend its activities. The court ruling followed a motion filed by a member of the State House of Assembly, and one of the anti-Amaechi five, Hon. Victor Ihunwo, who prayed the court to restrain the Commission from carrying out its mandate. His reason was that the Commission might be biased due to its constitution.
While giving the ruling, the presiding Judge explained that the composition of the Commission is against the laws of separation of powers and the law of natural justice, which states that one cannot be a judge in his own case.
The court also ordered the Rivers State government or any of its agencies to stay action from implementing any report from the commission.
Counsel to Hon. Ihunwor, the complainant, Dike O. explained further that “our case essentially was that the constitution and composition of the Judicial Commission of enquiry was not such as to secure its independence and neutrality as required by the fair hearing provisions of the 1999 constitution.
“Fortunately for us, the learned trial judge agreed that the the way the Commission was constituted is not such as to secure its independence and neutrality, principally because the Governor, himself, was present throughout the entire disturbances in the House of the Assembly, and so he cannot now be a judge in his own case by setting up a Commission of enquiry”.
Reacting to the ruling, Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Leyii Kwanee, called for calm while they study the court order restraining the commission from carrying out its function. He said after consulting with their lawyers, they will appeal the judgement.
In the same vein, Hon. Ihunwor reacted to the judgement declaiming it as a landmark judgment. According to him, “it shows that the Judiciary is the hope of the common man”.
Hon. Ihunwor, however, noted that all the five anti-Amaechi lawmakers are ready to make peace.
Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.
“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.
“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.
“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.
The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.
“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.
“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.
“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.
PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday, January 10, Chief Sara-Igbe alleged that the minister had flouted regulations governing the commencement of electioneering campaigns by moving from one local government area to another to galvanise political support.
According to him, the action amounted to a clear breach of electoral guidelines being carried out with a troubling sense of impunity that could undermine the rule of law.
“Wike has violated the electoral laws of campaigning by going from local government to local government to talk to the people. He travelled from one local government to another. As a result of his visits to local government areas, he has broken election regulations and continues to do all these things without fear of repercussions”, Chief Sara-Igbe said.
The remarks came as Chief Wike was set to round off a state-wide “thank-you” tour that covered all 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
Although the minister had described the tour as an appreciation visit following support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, critics say the engagements have assumed an overtly political character.
Observers note that during several stops, including recent visits to Andoni and Bonny local government areas, the minister rallied supporters across party lines under what he termed a “Rainbow Coalition,” a move widely interpreted as part of a broader political strategy.
During these engagements, Chief Wike was also reported to have made remarks perceived as a veiled challenge to the authority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while repeatedly referencing the 2027 elections and urging supporters to prepare to “correct the mistake” of 2023.
Chief Sara-Igbe warned that allowing such activities to continue unchecked could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and called on relevant authorities to enforce existing laws without fear or favour.
The Commission, in a statement on Wednesday, claimed that there were plans by the same group to escalate a smear campaign against its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to frustrate ongoing investigations and prosecutions involving prominent individuals.
The statement endorsed by the agency’s spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, claimed that the action was intended to distract the Commission through unfounded allegations of political bias in the discharge of its duties.
The EFCC warned that it would not stand by and watch “those recruited into this ignoble enterprise” or allow any attempt to derail it from “the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.”
The Commission made it clear that those recruited into this venture were under close watch, adding that it would not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.
“The EFCC reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities. Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage, has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the Commission.
“As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the Commission.
“It is needful that Nigerians appreciate the fact that the Commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations.
“Therefore, the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour, in the fulfilment of its mandate,” the statement pointed out.
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