Rivers
Probe Ibaa Crisis, Residents Tell I-G
Some indigenes of Ibaa
community in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers, have called on the Inspector-General of Police to investigate the ongoing crisis in the community.
The indigenes, under the aegis of Concerned Ibaa Indigenes made the call at a news conference in Port Harcourt recently.
A traditional ruler in the community, Chief Kingsley Nyenke, who spoke on behalf of the group, said such investigation would avail the police first-hand information on the crisis.
Recently, Ibaa, an Ikwerre speaking community, was plunged into crisis following the tussle for the throne of the community’s paramount ruler, Nyenwe Ali Uvuahu.
The crisis, which started in 2008 after the death of the paramount ruler, Chief James Ohaka, had polarized the community, leading to the death of several persons.
Nyenke, who blamed a contender in the chieftaincy dispute for the level of destruction and deaths, said only honest and sincere police investigation could unravel the truth.
“As I address you, many persons cannot go home; many are being harassed and unduly arrested by the police.
“We want Inspector-General of Police to set up a commission to investigate the crisis and the crimes committed; we need a sincere and open investigation’’, he said.
Chief Princewill Nwakanma, Eze Omehe-Ali of Ibaa, alleged that some members of the police force had compromised, saying, “what we see is that justice is being perverted.
“We need stakeholders to sit with the police in an unbiased atmosphere so that we can unearth the truth in the matter.
“Currently, some persons from the community have established an unholy alliance with some members of the police, we need the high authorities to be aware’’, he said.
Nwakanma further called on the Rivers Government to show concern in the ongoing crisis to save the community from further destruction.
The Rivers State Judiciary has denied a media report claiming that Justice Frank Onyiri of the State High Court issued an injunction order restraining the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), from inaugurating the newly appointed members of the Rivers State Civil Service Commission (RSCSC).
In a statement issued by the Deputy Chief Registrar in charge of litigation at the High Court, Menenen Poromon (Esq), the state Judiciary disassociated itself from the report, describing it as malicious and fabricated.
The statement emphasized that the report was a falsehood and a misrepresentation of what transpeared in the court.
Poromon clarified that no such order was issued by Justice Onyiri or any other judge of the High Court of the state and urged the public to disregard the information, as it lacked any iota of truth.
The statement however advised the public to verify any information concerning the state Judiciary directly from the office of the Chief Registrar, High Court of the State, to avoid spreading of misinformation.