Following the reported violence that trialed the conduct of the re-scheduled Governorship election in Southern Ijaw local government area, Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson has inaugurated a 6 member Judicial Commission of Inquiry with an 8 point terms of reference.
Performing the inauguration at the Executive Council Chambers of Government House, Yenagoa on Monday, the commission is to determine among others, the number and identities of persons that were injured or killed during the violence that occurred in parts of the state from the 3rd to 6th of December, 2015.
Also the commission headed by Justice Margret Akpomiemie of the High Court of Bayelsa State is to determine the number and identities of persons, if any that were killed by extra-judicial means or by violence, or by secret cult related activities or other related activities in the state from 2007 till date.
Other terms of reference as assigned to the commission, include, determining the extent of damage to properties, if any during the said incident and it is expected to make its recommendations and submit its report within 60 days.
Governor Dickson, who stressed that the terms of reference was not in any way political, charged the commission to identify the perpetrators of the said killings, violence, mayhem and breaches of the peace and recommend appropriate sanctions.
“To determine the role played by the security agencies in the said incident, in all incidents if any. To recommend measures aimed at averting future occurrences of such incidents.
To make any other recommendations as the commission may deem fit under the circumstances.
According to the Governor, the setting up of the commission of inquiry was in line with the powers conferred on him by Section 2 of the commission of Inquiry Law Cap 8 Laws of Bayelsa State and charged the commission to do any such lawful act for the purpose of giving effect to all the terms of reference.
Contrary to the argument of the leading opposition party, the All Progressives Congress, (APC), the governor submitted that setting up of the commission is not political, but aimed at digging deep into the root cause of the violence and bring the perpetrators to book.
He said that whoever is indicted in the course of investigation irrespective of his/her political afflation and no matter how highly placed in the society, would be dealt with in accordance with the state penal code.
Members of the commission are, Brig. Gen. Bob Ake (rtd), Dr. Martha Akpana, Chief Mathias Simeon, Barr. Tamadu Abasi is to serve as counsel to the commission while Mr. Abraham Lord Ekiamane as secretary.
Responding, Chairman of the Commission of Inquiry, Justice Margaret Akpomiemie, expressed appreciation to the Governor for the confidence reposed in them.
She urged members of the public to come forward with substantial evidence to enable the commission discharge its functions creditably.
