#EndSARS: Ikpeazu Inaugurates 16-Man Judicial Panel Of Inquiry

Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia on Friday inaugurated a 16-man
Judicial Panel of Inquiry to investigate allegations of
extra-judicial killings and brutality by security agents in the
state.

Speaking during the ceremony at the Government House, Umuahia,
Ikpeazu charged the panel to investigate cases of extrajudicial
killings by the police and other security agents from 2015 to
date.

The governor directed the panel to investigate all forms of
police brutality, extortion and intimidation from 2015 to date, to
ascertain the immediate and remote causes of the EndSARS protest
and other grievances associated with it.

He charged the panel to unravel the root causes of the hijack of
the peaceful EndSARS protest by hoodlums and identify those
involved in the nefarious activity.

Ikpeazu said that the panel was expected to submit its findings
and recommendations within 12 weeks, urged the panel to give effect
to the terms of reference outlined for its assignment.He described
the turn of events during the EndSARS protest as unfortunate
considering the destruction of lives and property recorded during
the protests.

Ikpeazu urged the youths in the state to restrain from further
protests, adding that the state government had taken note of their
demands and was making efforts to address them.He said that the
state government was currently looking at the demands of the youths
with a view to meeting with them.

The governor said that the youth would be mobilised for
rebuilding the damaged infrastructure through direct labor.

Responding on behalf of other members, the Chairman of the
Judicial Panel of Inquiry, Justice Sunday Imo Rtd, pledged that the
panel would work diligently considering the importance of the
assignment.

Imo thanked the state government for the opportunity to serve
the people of Abia and assured him that members of the panel would
live up to expectation.

The members of the panel include: Mrs Uzoamaka Ikonne
(Secretary), Mr John Nwakanma, Mr Daniel Chinagozi, Mr Zuby Ariwa,
Mr Eric Ikwuagwu, Rev Sunday Onuoha and Mr John Emejor,Others are
Mr Nnanna Nwafor, Mrs Doris Ogala, Mrs Uche Nwokocha, Mr Nkemjika
Nnadozie, Mr Enyinnaya Nwigwe, Mrs Anastasia Uchenna, Mr. Ndubuaku
Nwogu, and Mr Steve Sylvanus.

In a related development, Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia has
directed the setting up of a committee to ascertain the level of
damage to private and public infrastructure as a result of the
recent protests.

Chief John Okiyi-Kalu made this known in a press statement
signed by him and made available to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in
Umuahia. Okiyi-Kalu said that the decision was informed by the need
to begin immediate restoration of facilities destroyed during the
EndSARS protests.

Members of the committee include: Mr Chimaobi Ebisike -Chairman,
Mr Aaron Iyke, Mr Frank Orji, Mr Sunday Okpara, Dr Ugochukwu
Onyeonoro, Chief Jerry Kalu, and Mr Ugwumba Adiele.Others are: Mr
Chris Nwanevo, Mr Bob Amanze, Mr Okechukwu Osuoha, Mrs Joy
Iwuchukwu and Chief Emeka Ubani. (NAN)

Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia on Friday inaugurated a 16-man
Judicial Panel of Inquiry to investigate allegations of
extra-judicial killings and brutality by security agents in the
state.

Speaking during the ceremony at the Government House, Umuahia,
Ikpeazu charged the panel to investigate cases of extrajudicial
killings by the police and other security agents from 2015 to
date.

The governor directed the panel to investigate all forms of
police brutality, extortion and intimidation from 2015 to date, to
ascertain the immediate and remote causes of the EndSARS protest
and other grievances associated with it.

He charged the panel to unravel the root causes of the hijack of
the peaceful EndSARS protest by hoodlums and identify those
involved in the nefarious activity.

Ikpeazu said that the panel was expected to submit its findings
and recommendations within 12 weeks, urged the panel to give effect
to the terms of reference outlined for its assignment.He described
the turn of events during the EndSARS protest as unfortunate
considering the destruction of lives and property recorded during
the protests.

Ikpeazu urged the youths in the state to restrain from further
protests, adding that the state government had taken note of their
demands and was making efforts to address them.He said that the
state government was currently looking at the demands of the youths
with a view to meeting with them.

The governor said that the youth would be mobilised for
rebuilding the damaged infrastructure through direct labor.

Responding on behalf of other members, the Chairman of the
Judicial Panel of Inquiry, Justice Sunday Imo Rtd, pledged that the
panel would work diligently considering the importance of the
assignment.

Imo thanked the state government for the opportunity to serve
the people of Abia and assured him that members of the panel would
live up to expectation.

The members of the panel include: Mrs Uzoamaka Ikonne
(Secretary), Mr John Nwakanma, Mr Daniel Chinagozi, Mr Zuby Ariwa,
Mr Eric Ikwuagwu, Rev Sunday Onuoha and Mr John Emejor,Others are
Mr Nnanna Nwafor, Mrs Doris Ogala, Mrs Uche Nwokocha, Mr Nkemjika
Nnadozie, Mr Enyinnaya Nwigwe, Mrs Anastasia Uchenna, Mr. Ndubuaku
Nwogu, and Mr Steve Sylvanus.

In a related development, Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia has
directed the setting up of a committee to ascertain the level of
damage to private and public infrastructure as a result of the
recent protests.

Chief John Okiyi-Kalu made this known in a press statement
signed by him and made available to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in
Umuahia. Okiyi-Kalu said that the decision was informed by the need
to begin immediate restoration of facilities destroyed during the
EndSARS protests.

Members of the committee include: Mr Chimaobi Ebisike -Chairman,
Mr Aaron Iyke, Mr Frank Orji, Mr Sunday Okpara, Dr Ugochukwu
Onyeonoro, Chief Jerry Kalu, and Mr Ugwumba Adiele.Others are: Mr
Chris Nwanevo, Mr Bob Amanze, Mr Okechukwu Osuoha, Mrs Joy
Iwuchukwu and Chief Emeka Ubani. (NAN)