The Commission of Inquiry set up by the Rivers state Governor , Nyesom Wike to investigate activities that marred the December 10th rerun election in the state has held its inaugural hearing.
Chairman of the Commission, Justice Chiwendu Nwogu in his opening address said the commission would not follow strict rules of evidence but shall employ and adopt all known procedures that will ensure fairness to all parties.
Justice Nwogu said as part of its terms of reference, it is saddled with among others, the responsibility of investigating the remote causes of the violence recorded during the December 10 election.
He also said the commission will identify the perpetrators of the killings and violence in the election.
The Chairman of the Commission however assured that the target of the commission was not to witch-hunt anybody or group but to find the root cause of the violence based on the contents of the Memorandum submitted to the commission and the oral evidence presented before it.
He said, “The commission is a fact-finding body and not a regular court of law. The target of the Commission is not to witch-hunt anybody or group of persons; but, its activities and findings will be based strictly on the contents of the Memoranda submitted to the Commission and the oral evidence presented before it. “The Commission, being a fact-finding body, will not follow strict rules of Evidence, but shall employ and adopt all known procedures that will ensure fairness to all parties concerned. ”
The Chairman further called for the support and cooperation of all parties that would appear before the Commission.
“We therefore solicit for maximum co-operation from all parties that will appear before the Commission in order that the purpose of creating the Commission will be achieved to the overall interest of the citizenry.”
Meanwhile, Commissioner for Urban Development in Rivers state, Chinyere Igwe has maintained that he was brutalized by the police at the INEC collation centre in Port Harcourt City.
Igwe during his cross-examination before the panel of Inquiry accused a Chieftain of the APC, Nnamdi Nwuche of instigating the police against him.
He claimed that the Police, led by the Commander of the Special Anti-Robbery squad, Akin Fakorede beat him up for carrying out his responsibility as the collation Agent of the PDP for the Rivers East Senatorial election.
Igwe further said he was in possession of the original results declared for Emohua Local government in the election.
He told the commission that he was granted bail based on self recognition.
Three other witnesses were also cross-examined on incidents that occurred on December 10 in Tai Local Government area.
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