The Rivers State Judicial Commission of Inquiry, established to investigate the destruction of certain local government secretariats, has summoned Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former governor of the state, to appear before it on November 19, 2024.
The commission issued the summons through an advertorial titled “Summons under section 7&8 of the Rivers State Commission of Enquiry Law, Cap 30,” dated November 12 and released on Thursday. The notice was signed by Justice I. R. Minakiri, the panel’s chairman, and obtained by reporters.
The commission noted that the invitation was prompted by submissions from individuals in Emuoha Local Government Area, who provided a memorandum and video clips downloaded from the internet as evidence. A copy of the summons and the video clips have reportedly been sent to Wike by courier.
Justice Minakiri advised Wike to review the video and address any relevant issues raised in its content.
The document read, “Pursuant to the call and receipt of memoranda by the judicial commission of inquiry into the arson, killings and wanton destruction of property at some local government council headquarters in Rivers State, a very pertinent message conveyed to the public, by direct statement, and in songs by some persons in a video clip posted on the internet, downloaded and submitted by the Emohua Local Government Council concerning Your Excellency, Nyesom Wike, former governor of Rivers State and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, places a demand on the commission to respectfully call Your Excellency for reaction before the commission.
“A copy of this summons has been sent to Your Excellency along with the said video clip by courier service, for Your Excellency’s ease of listening and necessary reaction.
“By the invitation, Your Excellency’s reaction is expected before the commission on 19th November 2024. Time: 11 am. Venue: Block C, Court 15, Rivers State High Court Complex, Port Harcourt.
“Please take note that the Commission will conclude sitting on the 21st November, 2024.”
Also summoned to appear before the panel was the chairman of the All Progressives Congress Caretaker Committee in Rivers State, Chief Tony Okocha, who is an ally of the FCT minister.
Others were the former chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area, Dr Samuel Nwanosike; the former local government chairmen of Eleme, Ahoada West, Obio/Akpor LGAs, Obarilomate Ollor, Hope Ikiriko and George Ariolu respectively, who are all expected to appear before the commission on November 18, a day before Wike’s appearance.
It was recalled that aside from Wike and Okocha who are the latest additions, the commission, on October 28, 2024, summoned 109 persons across LGAs where post-election violence was recorded to appear before it, in connection with the disturbances.
