THE Federal Government has constituted a 22-man investigation panel on election violence and civil disturbances.
The panel is to investigate pre-election violence in Akwa Ibom State as well as civil unrest in some states following the 2011 presidential election.
Already, six members of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Osun State were yesterday docked at a magistrate's court in Osogbo over alleged arson and political violence.
According to a statement by the Permanent Secretary (GSO), Femi Olayisade, for Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the panel is composed of Sheikh Ahmed Lemu as Chairman; Justice Samson Uwaifo (rtd) as Vice Chairman; Rev. Father Idowu Feron, member; Alhaji Muhammadu Danmadami, member; Chief Ajibola Ogunshola, member; Mrs. Lateefat Okunnu, member; M. B. Wali, member; Dr. Timiebi A. Koripamo-Agary, member; and Peter Esele, member.
Other members of the panel are Alhaji Muhammed Ibrahim, member; Prof. Femi Odekunle, member; Ambassador Ralph Uwuche, member; Alhaji Bukar Usman, member; Sheikh Adam Idoko, member; Maj.-Gen. Mohammed Said (retired), member; P. C. Okorie, member; Shamsuna Ahmed, member; Maj.-Gen. L.P. Ngubane, member; Alhaji Sani Maikudi, member; Rear Admiral I. Hotonu, member; serving member of the National Youth Service Corps, member; and Mr. F. F. Ogunshakin as Secretary.
The terms of reference of the panel are: To investigate the immediate and remote cause(s) of the pre-election violence in Akwa Ibom State as well as the tide of unrest in some states of the federation following the presidential election and make appropriate recommendations on how to prevent future occurrence; to ascertain the number of persons who lost their lives or sustained injuries during the violence; to identify the spread and extent of loss and damage to means of livelihood and assess the cost of damage to personal and public property and places of worship and make appropriate recommendations; to investigate the sources of weapons used in the unrest and recommend how to stem the tide of illegal flow of such weapons to the country; and to examine any other matter incidental or relevant to the unrest and advise government as appropriate.
According to the statement, the panel will be inaugurated tomorrow at 11.00 a.m. in the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja, and accommodation has been reserved for members at NICON Luxury Hotel, Abuja, with effect from today.
Also yesterday, the Abia Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and human rights activists in the state have urged northern governors to re-build churches and markets that were burnt during the post-election violence.
Bishop Goddy Okafor, the state Chairman of CAN, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Aba yesterday that northern governors should re-settle and compensate families who lost their lives and property as soon as possible.
He condemned the killings of innocent Nigerians, including some youth corps members and burning of churches and markets, warning that "enough is enough".
"Such dastardly acts should stop. If anyone is aggrieved, he should go to court to seek redress, instead of taking the lives of innocent Nigerians.
"The Christians have endured so much and there is a limit to their endurance. Let it never be mentioned again that Christians were killed or churches burnt in the north. We all have equal rights if we must remain as a nation," he warned.
Okafor urged the Federal Government to ensure that the perpetrators of the post-election violence were adequately punished to serve as a deterrent to others in future.
He thanked God for the success of the general elections, and urged President Goodluck Jonathan to use the God-given opportunity of his election to better the lives of Nigerians.
"Let him use the opportunity given to him by Nigerians to better their lives, especially in the power sector, education, health, road and agriculture,'' he added.
The six members of the ACN in Osun State docked at a magistrate's court in Osogbo over alleged arson and political violence were Oluwaseun Fakolade, Wasiu Tajudeen, Isiaka Saka, Onigbogi Segun, Ifa Onifade and Kehinde Odunayo. They were standing trial in connection with political violence in Ijebu-Ijesa area of the state, according to police prosecutor, Mr. Benjamin Akindoyin.
They were standing trial on a four-count charge of conspiracy to commit felony to wit, malicious damage, assault and destruction of property, which ran contrary to and punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Vol. 11 Laws of Osun State of Nigeria 2003.
According to the prosecutor, the accused, along with others now at large, on April 8, 2011 at about 7.00 p.m. did unlawfully damage one Mazda 626 car with registration number AH 217 JJS, belonging to one Chief Olutayo Osewa and valued at N900,000.
They were also alleged to have unlawfully caused grievous bodily harm to one Oni Babalola on his right hand and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 335 of the criminal code cap 34 vol. 11 Laws of Osun State of Nigeria 2003.
The fourth charge levelled against the accused persons, according to the charge sheet, stated that the suspects did unlawfully set ablaze one Mercedes Benz V-Boot car with registration number DB 176 LSR valued N1 million, belonging to one Mr. Oni Adeoye and another one unregistered Suzuki motorbike and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 451 of the criminal code cap 34, Vol. 11, Laws of Osun State of Nigeria 2003.
Counsel to the accused, Mr. Bola Ige, sought bail for the suspects on the ground that the allegations levelled against them were yet to be proved, adding that reliable sureties would be provided for them.
The prosecutor opposed the application for bail, but the presiding magistrate, Mr. Emmanuel Aluko, granted them bail in the sum of N100,000 with one surety each in like sum.
Further hearing on the matter has been adjourned to June 6, 2011.
Source: Govt raises probe panel on election violence (http://www.guardiannewsngr.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=47469:govt-raises-probe-panel-on-election-violence&catid=1:national&Itemid=559)