Arson in Rivers LGAs: Five Witnesses Appear Before Probe Panel
2 min read
Edith CHUKU
Five witnesses appeared before the Rivers State Judicial Commission of Inquiry on Wednesday to testify over the arson and destruction of properties at the Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state, which occurred on or about Monday, October 7, 2024.
The judicial commission of inquiry was set up by the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, to probe the arson, killings and destruction of property at some local governments in the state.
The commission had summoned more than 90 witnesses from the affected local government to testify.
Addressing newsmen after the session, counsel to the commission, Mr. Uzor Ikenga, said “today is the first day of hearing and before now we have sent out summons to various persons to appear before the commission and today we have physical hearing of witnesses.
“Today was the hearing from Ikwerre Local Government Area and we called about five witnesses who testified of what they saw; the destruction, the arson that happened in the local government.
“One person, for fear of attack, could not testify in the open but that was done in camera after the counsel that represented the local government sought the leave of the commission to take his evidence in camera.
“Also a chief, one of the royal highness was part of those who testified. He did say that the destruction of the local government was rather a dastardly act because that local government has been in existence when his father was alive, that he was not even born where the local government existed so now the local government has lost alot as a result of the destruction.
“Summon was made and publication was made on national dailies for those who had one thing or the other to say as regards what is contained in the commission to appear before the commission. It was on radio, it was on print media, it was on social media, for them to come.
“So, we have taken enough steps to afford everybody fair hearing because some of them we don’t even know where they stay. Those who saw it and they came and testified, so, we have made ample steps to ensure that everybody is given fair hearing.”
He revealed that the hearing for the LG, “continues tomorrow, probably as they did not come today they might come tomorrow, either to testify personally or through any counsel of their choice.”
