Statement On Rivers Judicial Commission Of Inquiry

The Rivers State Government has been informed of the judgment of the Rivers State High Court presided over by the Hon Justice Iyaye Lamikanra restraining the Judicial Commission of Inquiry constituted pursuant to the Rivers State Commission of Inquiry law to examine and make findings with respect to the disturbances on the 9th and 10thof July in the Rivers State House of Assembly which disturbances agitated the peace of the state for those two days and after.

For the avoidance of doubt and for purposes of clarification, the Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, CON, as Governor of Rivers State has powers under the law to commission an inquiry into any matter or issue, however such matters arose as the enabling law does not state the categories or circumstances in which His Excellency can be prevented from constituting, such inquiries.

Consequently, the exercise of such power does not make him a judge any more than the appointment of a High Court Judge also makes him a judge in any matter concerning him before such judge that he appointed.

To the extent that the judgment of Justice Iyaye Lamikanra did not recognize this principle, the Rivers state Government does not accept it as well reasoned and shall take steps to appeal against it.

Signed
Ibim Semenitari
Rivers State Commissioner
of Information and Communications