Odinkalu, Bianca, Charly Boy, Onwenu make list

…As Soludo inaugurates 15-man justice, peace panel
Anambra State governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has set up a 15-man truth, justice and peace committee, aimed at restoring harmony and calming the nerves of agitators in the South East.

Soludo had, early this week, promised to announce membership of the committee, which is expected to address areas of challenge, including interfacing with the Federal Government on behalf of all prisoners of conscience.

He also offered amnesty to all Igbo militants in various forests, even as he requested they surrender their arms, amid assurance to helping them forge meaningful living.

In a statement in Awka, yesterday, Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu, gave the list of members.

They are: Prof. Chidi Odinkalu (chairman), Amb. Bianca Ojukwu (secretary), Dr. Joe Nwaorgu (member), Dr. Udenta Udenta, Dr. Uju Agomoh, Msgnr. Jerome Madueke, Canon Dr. Okechukwu Obi-Okoye, Charles Oputa (alias Charly Boy), Dr. John Otu, Mr. Ngozi Odumuko and Ms Onyeka Onwenu.

Others are: Dr. Joe Abah, Mr. Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu, Sam Egwuatu and Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu.

According to Soludo, the terms of reference for the committee are: “identify the remote and immediate causes of the agitations, restiveness, violence and armed struggle in the South East since 1999.

“Document victims/circumstances of death, brutality and incarceration; identify stakeholders and groups, who have played critical roles in agitations and conflicts, their roles, capabilities and demands.

“Address any other issue(s) that may be germane to unraveling the extent of the crisis and charting a roadmap for the future; make recommendations for sustainable peace and security in Anambra state/South East.”

The statement added: “The committee shall have a direct reporting line to the governor or his designee, and will be provided with administrative support. The committee shall be free to draw up the methodology to accomplish its assignment.

“The committee shall conclude its work no later than six months from its inauguration.

The committee shall be inaugurated on a date to be communicated to its members.”

Soludo further said that the purpose of the committee is to seek a restorative justice approach for truth-telling or real facts, for healing of victims of violence, accounting for responsibility and accountability of actors.

Other purposes are conditional mercy for repentant perpetrators, restitution for certain losses and rehabilitation of perpetrators, for the overall aim of restoration of peace and justice as well as promotion of development in the state, the region and Nigeria.