A seven-man Commission of Inquiry to investigate the recent killings and destruction of properties occasioned by a land dispute between Umuabo community, Ihealumona and Umuozalla community, Opi, all in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State, has been inaugurated by the Deputy Governor of the state, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, at Government House, Enugu.
The deputy governor observed shortly after the formal Inauguration of the members that the decision by the governor, Rt. Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, to set up the committee was necessitated by the need to find a permanent solution to the problem and ensure peace between the parties.
She noted that the commission’s terms of reference include “investigating and ascertaining the remote and immediate cause(s)” of the dispute between the two communities, as well as ascertain the number of persons killed or injured and the properties destroyed.
The commission, she said, “is also expected to identify the persons, groups or institutions directly or indirectly involved or that sponsored the dispute with a view to making recommendations on how to prevent similar dispute in future or any other recommendations it may consider appropriate in view of its findings”.
The deputy governor thanked the members for accepting to serve and noted that she was convinced they would deploy their experience and integrity and competences in the discharge of the task satisfactorily.
She also urged members of the two communities as well as relevant agencies and the public to accord the commission all necessary support towards achieving its mandate.
The chairman of the Commission, Justice Kingsley Udeh (Rtd), in a response made on behalf of the other members expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to serve the state, noting that they were committed to the task of achieving the best results in the shortest time.
Briefing journalists shortly after the inauguration, the state Commissioner for Information, Dr. Godwin Udeughele, said that the event was in line with Governor Ugwuanyi’s commitment to maintain and promote peace across communities in the state.
He was optimistic that following the intervention by the governor members of the two communities would soon reconcile their differences and continue to exist as brothers and sisters.
Other members of the commission include Prof. Onyema Ocheoha (mni); Sir Albert Ikechukwu Nnamani; Arch. Innocent Maduka Agbo; Innocent Nnamdi Eze Esq; Mrs Chinyere Oluka, the secretary and Solomon Ejim Esq., the counsel to the commission.
Meanwhile, the Enugu State Police Command has arraigned a herdsman, one Ibrahim Adamu, who was caught with arms and ammunition.
The herdsman was arraigned before an Enugu East magistrate court.
Adamu was arrested with an AK47 rifle and 24 rounds of live ammunition at Affa, a community in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu, on August 29.
Police spokesman, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, who disclosed the development in a statement, said the herdsman was charged with illegal possession of arms, an offence contrary to section 6 (a), and punishable under section 3 (1), of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision) Act Cap. R11, Vol.14, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Amaraizu added that the chief magistrate, D. K. Ekoh, remanded the herdsman in prison custody.
