Judicial Commission’s Inaugural Sitting Records Low Turn Out

Low turn out marked
the inaugural sitting of the Rivers State Judicial Commission of Inquiry for the investigation of the administration of former Governor Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, with respect to the sale of valued assets of Rivers State and other related matters on Monday in Port Harcourt.
The setting up of the commission of inquiry by the present administration in the state led by Governor  Wike had attracted mixed reactions from members of the public, with some supporting the move and others criticising it, saying it was politically motivated.
The matter also became a subject of court litigations and later was dismissed for lack of substance and merit.
It was expected that at the commencement  of the hearing, the venue of the inquest would have attracted many people from various sections of the society following the attention the setting up of the probe panel attracted recently.
Both supporters of the ruling Peoples  Democratic Party (PDP) in the state and the All Progressives  Congress (APC) were seen during the inaugural sitting of the commission on Monday.
Our correspondent reports that the full air conditioned judiciary auditorium was scanty as both traditional rulers, religious groups, professionals and politicians were conspicously absent during the  sitting.
Indeed, this development calls for concern considering the attitude of members of the public to the commission’s sitting who are the supposed beneficiaries of the ongoing probe by the panel.
Not perturbed by the poor attendance, the commission’s Chairman, Justice George Omereji, however said the commission would be fair to all, adding that it was not created for witch-hunting but was on a fact-finding mission.
He urged members of  the public to cooperate with the commission in its bid to carry out its statutory functions as stated its terms of reference.

Akujobi Amadi /Gloria Afonya-a