The Abia State Government has inaugurated an Administrative Panel of Inquiry to investigate the remote and immediate causes of the recent crisis in Okun Aku, Ohafia Local Government Area, which reportedly led to loss of lives and heightened tension in the Community.
Inaugurating the panel in his office, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu, said the decision was taken by the State Government in response to the gravity of the incident and the need to restore lasting peace.
“We are all aware that a couple of days back, there erupted a very serious Community crisis in Okun Aku, in Ohafia Local Government of Abia State, leading to loss of life, according to the pictures that we saw. And the community has been in disquiet since then.
“In the wisdom of this Government, under the leadership of His Excellency Dr. Alex Otti, it has been directed that this administrative panel of enquiry be empanelled in order to determine the remote and immediate causes of that conflict and disquiet in that community”, the Commissioner said.
Prince Nwachukwu explained that findings by the panel would guide the State Government’s decisions and interventions.
According to him, the terms of reference of the panel include investigating the remote and immediate causes of the crisis, identifying individuals, groups, institutions, or bodies directly or indirectly involved in the escalation of the conflict and examining the role of the traditional institutions, youth groups, leadership structures and other stakeholders in the conflict.
Other mandates of the panel, he said, are to review the administrative, socioeconomic, cultural, and security dimensions of the crisis, recommend measures to ensure lasting peace, harmony, justice, and communal cohesion and propose sanctions where appropriate, against individuals, groups, or bodies found culpable.
The Commissioner added that the Panel is also expected to make any further recommendations deemed necessary in the interest of public peace and order and sustainable community relations.
“The Panel is expected to review the administrative, socioeconomic, cultural, and security dimensions of the crisis.
“Number five, we are expected to recommend measures to ensure lasting peace, harmony, justice, and communal cohesion. Number six, we are expected to recommend sanctions, where appropriate, against individuals, groups, or bodies found culpable.
“Number seven, we are expected to make any further recommendations deemed necessary in the interest of public peace and order and sustainable community relations”, he said.
Prince Nwachukwu disclosed that the Panel has been given 30 days, effective from the date of inauguration, to submit its report to the Ministry.
He thanked members of the Panel for accepting to serve the State and expressed confidence in their capacity to discharge the assignment diligently.
Responding on behalf of the members, the Chairman of the Panel, Hon Justice Kenneth Wosu (Rtd), emphasised the importance of peace to development, describing peace and progress as inseparable.
Justice Wosu who commended Governor Otti for the peace enjoyed in the State, noted that the decision to set up the panel showed that the State Government had not taken the crisis lightly, but was determined to address it decisively.
“We all know that His Excellency is doing everything to ensure that there is peace and progress in our state, and peace and progress are like twin brothers. You cannot have one without the other.
“So I believe that it is in that spirit that he hasn’t undermined the crisis that is in question and has decided to empanel us in order to enable his government, the Commissioner, to take appropriate policy decisions in addressing the issues”, the Panel Chairman stated.
He thanked the State Government for the confidence reposed in them, assuring that with the calibre of its members, including traditional rulers and other Stakeholders, the Panel would carry out a thorough and impartial assignment.
Justice Wosu further assured the Government and people of the State that the Panel would give its best and be guided by fairness and diligence in the discharge of its duties.
“We guarantee that we will do our best and believe that God will guide us accordingly”, he said.
