The Rivers State Judicial Commission of Inquiry, investigating violence that erupted following the recent local elections, has summoned key allies of Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former governor of Rivers State. Justice I.R. Minakiri, the commission’s chair, announced the summons in a statement issued Monday in Port Harcourt.
Among those summoned are Dr. Samuel Nwanosike, former chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area, and Obarilomate Ollor and Hope Ikiriko, who served as chairmen in Eleme and Ahoada East, respectively. All three were appointed under Wike’s administration and completed their tenures under Governor Siminalayi Fubara. Also called to testify is Aforji Igwe, a state assembly member representing Eleme Constituency and known to be an ally of Wike.
The panel was formed by Governor Fubara in response to violent attacks on council headquarters in Ikwerre, Eleme, and Emuoha following local elections. In a comprehensive call for testimony, the commission has summoned 109 individuals as witnesses, outlining dates for their appearances by locality.
The statement notes that witnesses from Ikwerre are due on October 30, while those from Eleme are scheduled for November 1, 4, and 5. Witnesses from Khan Local Government Area are set for November 6, followed by Emuoha on November 7, and Ohio/Akpor and Ahoada East on November 8, with any spillover hearings to be held on November 11.
Witnesses are “required to bring any evidence to support their case” before the panel. The statement warns that failure to appear could have legal consequences, underscoring the inquiry’s commitment to thoroughly examining the causes and perpetrators of the post-election violence.
