Mimiko inaugurates 9-man panel of inquiry into communal crisis
Ondo State Government on Wednesday inaugurated a 9-man commission of Inquiry into the causes of communal disturbances at Arigidi-Akoko and Arimogija/Imoru in Akoko North West and Ose local government areas of the state respectively.
The commission, which is headed by Justice Adegboyega Adebusoye, a serving judge in the state has 90 days to submit its report.
The state Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, who inaugurated the commission at the Cocoa Conference Hall of his office in Akure, the state capital, reiterated his administration's zero tolerance to violence and breakdown of law and order from any quarters in its quest to achieve peace and progress.
”Government will not countenance any contempt or intransigence from any quarters in its quest to achieve peace and progress in the communities involved. The commission shall have all the powers inherent in a commission of inquiry under the law and it is expected to conclude the assignment and submit its report to government within 90 days of its inauguration, except an extension is granted”, he stated.
According to him, the terms of reference of the panel included; the identification of the immediate and remote causes of communal disturbances that occurred in Arigidi-Akoko (since 2008 till date) and Arimogija/Imoru (since 2010 till date), identification of the persons responsible either directly or indirectly and recommend sanctions, identification of the victims, recommendation of appropriate sanctions and solution to forestall recurrence of the crises.
The Governor, however, appealed to the people of the areas to cooperate with the panel and offer useful information that will assist in the realization of the objective.
In his response, the chairman of the commission, Justice Adegboyega Adebusoye promised to discharge the duty without fear of favour, adding that the panel would not disappoint the people of the state.
Members of the commission include; Messrs Erastus Akinkuowo, Adedefe Oni, G. O Bodunde, Mrs Funmi Ogundipe, representatives of the state security service and the police, while Messrs Sileola Akinnibosun and Olabode Yusuf will serve as counsel and secretary respectively.