Gov. Wike Writes ICC To Prosecute GOC 6 Division Over Alleged Crimes Against Humanity

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has stated that the
State Government has written to the International Criminal Court to
prosecute the General Officer Commanding ( GOC) 6 Division of the
Nigerian Army, Major General Jamil Sarhem, for alleged crimes
against humanity.

Wike said instead of running in circles, the “killer GOC” should
explain to Nigerians the reasons the 6 Division stormed Collation
Centres in Ikwerre, Emohua and Okrika Local Government Areas with
INEC Electoral Officers, accusing him of stealing electoral
materials and concocting results.

The Governor stated that the General Officer Commanding 6
Division has the blood of Rivers people on his hands, stating that
issuing false statements will not save the GOC from
prosecution.

Speaking on Tuesday during a media briefing in response to the
false allegations by the 6 Division that he tried to compromise
soldiers of the 6 Division, Wike described the allegation as false,
malicious and diversionary .

He said: “We are doing a petition to the International Criminal
Court. We are demanding justice for all those killed by the GOC and
his lieutenants.

“We will also send a petition to all the major embassies in the
country on the atrocities committed against Rivers people by the
GOC and his soldiers. We have also ready sent a petition to the
Chief of Army Staff on the criminal actions of the GOC”.

Governor Wike stated that he has credible intelligence that the
GOC has concluded plans to open fire on his convoy, with the
objective of causing a deadly shoot-out.

“Nigerians watched in utter dismay as three Local Government
Electoral Officers of the Independent National Electoral Commission
(INEC ) indicted soldiers of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army
for orchestrating electoral violence, snatching election materials
and criminally colluding with APC leaders to concoct results during
the Presidential and National Assembly elections.

“Rather than respond to these allegations, the GOC is making
diversionary allegations.

“These weighty indictments of the officers and men of the 6
Division of the Nigerian Army by the INEC Officials confirm earlier
intelligence that the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 6
Division, Major General Jamil Sarham is neck deep in the killings
of Rivers people and manipulation of the elections.

“Mrs. Mary Efeture Imawuya INEC Electoral Officer of Ikwerre
LGA, INEC Electoral Officer for Emohua Local Government Area,
Kenneth Etah and INEC Electoral Officer of Okrika Local Government
Area of Rivers State, Mr Leo Okon who addressed the Rivers East
Senatorial District Collation Centre at Elekahia were unequivocal
in their indictments of the soldiers and their criminal activities
during the elections.

“The major problem they should defend is the INEC Officers who
declared that the soldiers of the Nigerian Army abducted them ,
carted away materials and concocted results”, he added.

The governor noted that it was the soldiers and the Minister of
Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi who abducted the Electoral
Officer of Ikwerre LGA and compelled her to write results.

Governor Wike denied ever making an attempt to compromise the
electoral process . He denied ever offering money to the Soldiers
to act illegally.

He noted that when the soldiers arrested the Rivers State
Commissioner of Urban Development and Physical Planning, Dr Reason
Onya for being among the approved PDP agents to escort materials,
the Commissioner called him.

He noted that he requested to speak with the Officer to demand
the release of Onya who was on legal electoral function for the
PDP. He said the officer who declined talking called back later and
he informed him that Onya was on a legal assignment. He noted that
no bribe was offered.

Governor Wike said in his capacity as Governor, he spoke with
about 10 different officers when PDP official agents raised
concerns.

The Governor said that the mischievous press briefing by the 6
Division is tantamount to a coup against a constituted
authority.

“The Army cannot be a judge in their matter. You cannot parade
officials on legal Electoral duties. You cannot change the
narrative. They have violated all known laws.”