The Abia State Government (ABSG) has inaugurated a 7-man administrative panel of enquiry to investigate the crisis in Okon Aku community, Ohafia Local Government Area of the state, with retired Justice Kenneth Wosu as chairman.
This followed a crisis that erupted in Okon Aku community some days ago, which led to a casualty in the community.
Inaugurating the panel of enquiry at JAAC Secretariat Umuahia, Uzor Nwachukwu, commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, charged members of the panel to carry out their duties with diligence.
He said that constituting the panel was necessitated by the unfortunate incident that occurred in the community, adding that the panel would determine the remote and immediate causes of the crisis.
“We are all aware that a couple of days back, there erupted a very serious community crisis in Okon Aku, in Ohafia, Local Government of Abia State, leading to loss of life, according to the pictures that we saw.
“And the community has been in disquiet since then. In the wisdom of this government, under the leadership of His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti, it has been directed that this administrative panel of enquiry be empaneled in order to determine the remote and immediate causes of that conflict.
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The terms of reference given to the panel include:
“To investigate the remote and immediate causes of the crisis in Okon Aku Ohafia community, to identify individuals, groups, institutions or bodies directly or indirectly involved in the escalation of the conflict.
“To examine the role of the traditional institutions, youth groups, leadership structures and other stakeholders in the conflict, to review the administrative, socio-economic, cultural and security dimensions of the crisis.
“To recommend measures to ensure lasting peace, harmony, justice and communal cohesion, to recommend sanctions, where appropriate, against individuals, groups or bodies found culpable.
“To make any further recommendations deemed necessary in the interest of public peace and order and sustainable community relations. ”
Nwachukwu, who expressed confidence in the capacity of the members of the panel to perform, thanked them for accepting to serve and wished them fruitful deliberations.
The panel, which has 30 days to submit its report to the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, has its members as follows: Hon. Justice Kenneth O. Wosu (Rtd.) – Chairman, Navy Commander MacDonald Uba (Rtd.)- member; Barr. Obinna Chimbuo, member, HRM Eze Kalu Ogbu- member, HRM Eze Franklin Nwosu- member; Ahunanya George, Head of Service, Ohafia LGA- member, and Charity Okeagu, director, Chieftaincy Affairs who serves as Secretary of the panel.
Responding on behalf of other members of the panel, the Chairman, retired Justice Kenneth Wosu thanked Governor Alex Otti for approving their membership of the panel.
He said that with the calibre of the members of the panel, he has no doubt that they would carry out a thorough job, adding that, they would work in line with the stand of Governor Alex Otti as it concerns peace and progress of the state.
“I have no doubt that we shall do a thorough job in carrying out the letters of our mandate.
“We all know that His Excellency is doing everything to ensure that there is peace and progress in our state, and peace and progress are like twin brothers. You cannot have one without the other.
“So, I believe that it is in that spirit that he has not undermined the crisis that is in question and has decided to empanel us in order to enable his government, to take appropriate policy decisions in addressing the issue. So, we guarantee that we will do our best and believe that God will guide us accordingly. So, help us God,” Wosu said.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Oge Maduka and management staff of the Ministry were present at the inauguration.
