After a one-day session last week, the Commission of Inquiry to investigate politically-motivated killings before and during the 2015 general elections in Rivers State will continue its sitting today.
The Commission, instituted by Chibuike Amaechi, the Rivers State governor, is investigating damage to properties and grievous bodily harms to persons ahead and during the presidential and gubernatorial elections in the state.
Thirteen witnesses are expected to testify before the Commission today on claims of arson, assault, and killing.
PREMIUM TIMES will be bringing you live updates from the Port Harcourt venue of the proceedings.
11.27
Mr. Opurum says he took photographs of his house that was burnt during election violence in the state. "I want the panel to help me so that I can rebuild my house," he says. He says he lived at Rumuekpe before his house was burnt. "My wife called me, I was at Elele. When I reached my community, I saw them burning Blessing Uchegbu's house. I ran back to my own house. "After that, they came to my own house. I had to dodge somewhere in my backyard to see them well. I saw them pouring fuel on my house. My wife and everybody has gone out." Mr. Opurum says he knows the people that burnt his house and could provide their names, if required. "They were many but I will mention few, Stanley Asuquo,... Ephraim, Ahamefule Nwobodo, and others." He says the incident happened on March 19th.
11.23
The PDP lawyer leaves the venue of the proceedings. Godspower Opurum, the first witness for the day, steps out to testify before the Commission. He says he filed a complaint before the Commission over allegations of arson.
11.23
Mr. Odinkalu insisted that the arguments would be taken on Wednesday. "The Commission does not confer lawfulness where lawfulness does not exist. What I suggest is, we are seeing this for the first time. We will hear arguments about this on Wednesday and listen to judicial authorities. "If on Wednesday we cannot continue, it means that all the records will be expunged." But the PDP lawyer stood his ground and asked to be excused from the proceedings.
11.21
There is a heated exchange between the PDP lawyer and the panel. Mr. Aguma objected to the adjournment on Wednesday on the grounds that the 14 day life span of an interim court order would have elapsed. And that the matter is also coming up at the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt. "How do I participate in a proceeding where I have questioned its legality? When I'm questioning the competence of the Commission to proceed," he said. #RiversInquiry
10.34
The inquiry begins with Emmanuel Aguma, the counsel to the PDP, informing the Commission that there is a court order restraining the proceedings and that it is the duty of the panel to obey the court.
"I wouldn't want to be a part of a process that does not obey the rule of law, so I'm bringing attention to this. There's an order temporarily restraining proceedings here till a fixed date," said the lawyer.
Chidi Odinkalu, the Chairman of the Commission, said they had not been served the court's decision.
"We are accepting because you are an officer of the law," he said.
"We've not been served on us. But we are accepting from you.
"We are seeing this for the first time. Do you want a brief on this and we take an argument on this on Wednesday. So serious we need to place everyone on record."
There is now an argument over whether the Commission can continue today's proceedings and leave decision on the court order till Wednesday.
