Finally, Jonathan Inaugurates Committee On Appeal Of Bakassi Judgement

ABUJA, October 04, (THEWILL) – After weeks of agitation by different sections of the Bakassi Peninsula region handed over to Cameroon, President Goodluck Jonathan has finally set up a committee to review demands for an appeal of the judgment of the International Court of Justice and the consequences of the step.

The president, the leadership of the National Assembly and other stakeholders were locked in a meeting at the State House in Abuja, which stretched from late Wednesday night to early Thursday morning,

According to Governor of Cross River State, Liyel Imoke, who spoke with State House correspondents after the meeting, the committee would also consider the management of the welfare of the displaced people of Bakassi. And although he was reticent on the composition of the committee, he assured that a specified time had been agreed for its assignment.

That working duration for the committee is certainly only a matter of days, considering that the 10th October deadline for appealing the 2002 judgement is just another six days away.

Imoke, ostensibly in support of the president’s action, described it as an indication of his “great leadership quality.”

Also speaking, President of the Senate, Senator David Mark expressed happiness that both the executive and legislative arms of government are now in agreement on Bakassi, and promised the cooperation of the two arms in the work ahead.

Prince Bola Ajibola, erstwhile attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice, who also attended the meeting, commended government for its genuine concern on the matter.

Others present at the meeting include Vice President Namadi Sambo, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal; Governor of Akwa Ibom, Godswill Akpabio; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim; Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke; and select Bakassi leaders.