From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
The Bayelsa State Government has set a six-member judicial panel of inquiry over the crisis rocking Opu- Nembe (Nembe Basambiri), Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State which led to the death of three persons from the area on the 15th of February this year.
The judicial panel which is in a line with a resolution passed by the Bayelsa State House of Assembly is chaired by a former Chief Judge of the state, retired Justice Margaret Akpomiemie, while a representative of the Ministry of Justice, Mr. Diepreye Omubo, is to serve as Secretary.
The panel also has Chief Fedude Zimughan; Dr. (Mrs) Josephine Igodo; Lady Love Amaseimogha, and a representative of the National Human Rights Commission, Bayelsa Office, Mr. Vining Nunman Goselle, as members.
Governor Douye Diri who inaugurated the panel in Government House, Yenagoa, on Tuesday, said their brief was to carefully look into the remote and immediate causes of the disturbances in Nembe-Basambiri that led to the February 15 killing.
Diri, who was represented at the ceremony by his Deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, while noting that members of the panel were carefully chosen, expressed confidence that they have what it takes to deliver on their brief.
According to him his administration deemed it expedient to set up the panel as part of efforts towards restoring sustainable peace and security in the community as well as provide justice to all those who have suffered loss.
While stating that bereaved families have written several letters to the Inspector- General of Police regarding the killings, he said there has been no good response.
“We are not going to join issues with anybody, instead we are going to unearth the cause of the death and those responsible for the killings.
“This is necessary because every life is important. And like the Bible says, the loss of any soul is precious to God. As a state and as a responsible government, we cannot allow the killing of three of our youths in their prime to be swept under the carpet.”
In her acceptance remarks, the Chairman of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry, Justice Margaret Akpomiemie (Retired) noted that anything involving human life needed to be handled with extreme caution, since it also entails capital punishment.
Justice Akpomiemie, who thanked the Governor for choosing like minded and competent persons for the assignment, said the panel would depend on verifiable evidence through memorandum from the public to work on, in order to unravel the true cause of the killings.
She, therefore, called on members of the Opu Nembe Community and other interested parties to send in their memorandum and promised that the Panel would carry out its assignment with fairness, diligence and objectivity.
The panel was given three weeks to complete its work including submission of a report of its findings to the government for appropriate action.