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PDP Drags Amaechi To Court To Stop Further Probing Of Electoral Violence In Rivers State

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by Deji Abiodun

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has dragged governor Rotimi Amaechi and others to a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, urging it to, among other things, declare that the recently constituted commission of inquiry on politically-motivated killings in the state by the governor was unconstitutional and violates the principles of natural justice.

Amaechi had recently constituted a commission of inquiry into politically-related killings in the state.

In suit no: FHC/PH/FHR/256/2015, the party also sought the court to declare that by virtue of the provisions of section 214 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and section 4 of the Police Act, the power to investigate allegations of crime, including inquiring into politically motivated killings in the state is vested in the police

Respondents in the suit are the Chairman of the commission, Professor Chidi Odinkalu, nine other members, Governor Amaechi,  Attorney General of the state,  Inspector General of Police and the Commissioner of Police in the state.

The party further urged the court to restrain the commission or its members from investigating any alleged politically-motivated killings, insisting among other things, that it is the responsibility of the police.

The party’s legal adviser, Mr. Benjamin Eke, also alleged that the first respondent, who is Chairman of the Commission of Inquiry, Odinkalu, was not fit to head the body because he already had fore-knowledge of the subject matter of the purported inquiry having reportedly heard allegations and counter allegations of the various parties in the state relating to political violence and killings in his capacity as Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

“He cannot come to the task of presiding as chairman of the commission of inquiry in this case with neutrality and impartiality necessary as an arbiter,” he said.

Eke also said the second respondent, Mr. Samuel Egbe, was also not fit to be a member of the commission because he was allegedly appointed permanent secretary in the state civil service by the 10th respondent, Amaechi, adding that the 6th respondent, Mrs. Asivosuo Oriye, is an employee of the state Ministry of Justice under the supervision and control of the governor and the 11th respondent, the attorney general of the state was also not fit to serve in the commission.

 

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