Rivers crisis: Fubara establishes judicial inquiry into LG secretariats burning

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has established a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate the arson, killings, and destruction of property at several Local Government Council headquarters.

This follows Monday’s attacks by unidentified hoodlums, who targeted the council offices just 24 hours after the newly elected council bosses were sworn in following Saturday’s elections.

The formation of the commission was announced in a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Tammy Wenike Danagogo, on Tuesday. The commission will be tasked with probing the violent incidents that occurred on or around October 7, 2024.

The statement, which outlined the governor’s approval under Section 2(1) of the Commissions of Inquiry Law, Cap 30, Laws of Rivers State, 1999, also named the members of the commission, who are set to be sworn in today at 4 p.m. at the Executive Council Chambers in Government House, Port Harcourt.

The members of the commission are as follows:

1. Hon. Justice I.R. Minakiri – Chairman
2. Barr. Felicia Nwoke – Member
3. Prof. Blessing Didia – Member
4. Sir Samuel Egbe – Member
5. Venerable Alex Usifor – Member
6. Barr. Uzor Ikenga – Counsel to the Commission
7. Mrs. Inyingi Brown – Secretary

The commission is expected to begin its work promptly in an effort to uncover the facts surrounding the attacks, identify those responsible, and recommend appropriate actions. Members of the commission are to be seated by 3:30 p.m. for the swearing-in ceremony.

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