Rivers rerun: We’ll avail IGP report of judicial commission of inquiry—Wike

GOVERNOR Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has declared that the state government will submit to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) the white paper on the report by the Judicial Commission of Inquiry that investigated the killings and other acts of violence during the December 10, 2016 rerun/supplementary election.

The governor said this on Monday while receiving at the Government House, Port Harcourt the report submitted by the judicial commission headed by its  chairman, Justice Chinwendu Nwogu.

Wike, in a statement by his media aide, Simeon Nwakaudu, said his decision became necessary for immediate action by the police authority.

He emphasised that though he was aware that the current Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, may not act on the report, the police, as an institution, would eventually perform their constitutional role at the expiration of the tenure of Idris.

He said the report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry would be considered by the State Executive Council and a white paper would consequently be duly prepared.

The governor commended members of the judicial commission for a painstaking and thorough report which he said included videos, testimonies and relevant accounts of everything that transpired during the rerun elections.

“I hereby direct the Honourable Attorney General of the state to submit the report to the Inspector General of Police.

“I am aware that the Inspector General of Police would not act on the report, but we need to take the necessary step. The current IGP will not be IGP forever. Therefore, the Police, as an institution, in the long run will act”, he said.

Earlier, while submitting the report, chairman of the judicial commission of inquiry, Justice Nwogu, said the commission received 13 memoranda and several exhibits, including expended bullets and also went to the respective locations to gather evidence.

He informed that the report of the commission was contained in four volumes which he said captured all aspects of the commission’s assignment.

He noted that the recommendations contained in the report were made in line with the terms of reference of the judicial commission of inquiry and with due respect to the law and good conscience.