Wike Shuns Invitation of Rivers Panel on Post-Election Violence

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has refused to appear before a Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up by the Rivers State Government.

The commission was setup to investigate incidents of arson, killings, and destruction of property following local government elections in the state.

The seven-member panel, chaired by Justice Ibiwengi Minakiri, was inaugurated in October 2024 by Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The Commission was tasked with probing the violence that erupted after the elections, with a one-month timeline to complete its findings and recommendations.

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The panel issued formal invitations to Wike via a courier service and a newspaper advertorial.

The advertorial, signed by the panel’s chairperson, specifically requested the FCT minister to appear before the commission on Tuesday, November 19, 2024.

The day was reportedly set aside for Wike to address issues requiring clarification.

At the close of proceedings on Tuesday, Justice Minakiri confirmed that Wike did not honor the invitation, despite the panel reserving the session exclusively for his appearance.

She noted that the minister’s input was crucial in addressing certain unresolved aspects of the investigation.

Minakiri said, “Today’s sitting was actually for the former Governor of Rivers State to appear before this commission to straighten some points that we needed to know.

“That is just the only reason we are sitting today. Otherwise, our sitting would have ended yesterday. But we had waited, hoping that he would be here. We have given some.

“So today will mark the last day we are sitting. As we rise today, that brings us to the end of the sitting of this Commission, except there is a direction from His Excellency to do otherwise as permitted by the law under which we are operating.”

Justice Minakiri has expressed concern that the recently dismissed Caretaker Committee Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers State Tony Okocha as well as other invitees also failed to appear before the panel.

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The commission, constituted to investigate post-election violence involving arson, killings, and property destruction in local government areas, had scheduled sessions for the invitees on Monday, November 18, 2024, and Tuesday, November 19, 2024.

However, they failed to appear before the seven-member panel.

The judge affirmed that the panel would proceed with the submission of its report, despite the refusal of some invitees, including the FCT Minister, to honor the summons or provide testimony.