…Directs immediate dismantling of Roadblocks in Ebonyi State

Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. David Umahi has sworn-in Judicial Panel of Enquiry to receive and raise the complaints of the brutality and human rights violation or related extrajudicial killings in Ebonyi State. Recall that the Governor had on Monday promised to set up a judicial panel of enquiry as demanded by #EndSARS protesters, assuring them of immediate commencement of action on all issues raised by them. “From today, the 20th day of October, 2020, I hereby appoint the following to be the Chairman and members of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry:

Justice Alloy Nwankwo – Chairman

AIG Kelvin Opoke (Rtd) – Member

Igwe Uche – Member

Olisa Nwuruku – Member

Emmanuel Obasi – Member

Barr Louisa Nwebonyi – Member

Comr. (Mrs) Adibe Nwafor – Member

Christopher Okorie – Member

Emmanuel Onwe(Esq) – Member & Secretary.

“The Judicial Panel shall have powers and authority to hold her meetings which shall be conducted following the provision of the Commission of Inquiry Law, Cap 29 of Ebonyi State of Nigeria.

“I hereby direct that the Panel shall commence sitting in Abakaliki soon after they are sworn in and thereafter hold the state inquiry such places and upon such dates and as the Chairman may dim fit.

“I further direct that the chairman of the Committee and the members shall before commencing assignment make and subscribe to an appropriate code under section 6 of this Commission of Inquiry.

“The panel may regulate its proceedings except that if any members shall, in any case, be demanded of inclusion, the Chairman shall have a second or cast new vote.

“The terms of the reference of the panel are as follows:
To receive and raise the complaints of the brutality and human rights violation or related extrajudicial killings in Ebonyi State.

“To evaluate the evidence presented by other surrounding circumstances and conclude as to the palliatity of the happenings.

“To make amends, compensation, and other remedial measures where appropriate.

The Governor further explained: ” The Chairman and the members of the panel shall not be liable for any action or sued for any matter.

“The panel shall have the power to issue power or issue authority to anyone for evidence during these proceedings.

“The panel shall conclude and submit its report at Abakaliki within six months from the date of their being sworn-in unless in issues of certain reasons why the state should allow agitation.” He said.

Furthermore, the Governor, having discussed with the Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police and other security Chiefs in the state, directed immediate dismantling of all roadblocks in the state. “We have directed immediate dismantling of roadblocks in the state.

“The Commissioner of Police has explained that the Inspector General of Police is never the one that directed for the roadblocks to be mounted in our roads. So, the police will be by the side, when they suspect a vehicle, they stop the vehicle, search it, take action where necessary and leave the road.

The Governor further appealed to the protesters to seize fire as their demands have been received and are all being attended to without further waste of time.