Rivers’ Judicial Inquiry: HURIWA urges swift action against political terrorists

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has extolled Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, for his decisive move in establishing a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate the violence, arson, and destruction of public property that followed the local government elections.

HURIWA described this as one of the governor’s most commendable actions, given the need for justice and accountability in the face of such serious unrest.

In a media statement, HURIWA lauded the commission as a crucial step toward identifying and prosecuting the perpetrators, whom it referred to as “political terrorists.”

“The governor had inaugurated a seven-member Judicial Commission of Inquiry to probe the violence that led to the burning of several local government council headquarters in Rivers State. This is a well-timed intervention aimed at uncovering the root causes of the unrest and ensuring those responsible are held accountable,” the statement read.

The group’s national coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, in the statement, stressed that the individuals behind the violence are not mere vandals but political terrorists determined to destabilise the state’s democratic institutions.

In light of the IGP’s actions, HURIWA issued a seven-working-day ultimatum to arrest and prosecute the individuals responsible for the violence and arson in Rivers State.

The group said that these individuals, many of whom were captured on video, must be apprehended and held accountable.

“The terrorists who set local councils on fire are identified on video. If the IGP fails to arrest them within seven working days…”

“Those who burned local government secretariats to disrupt the election process and undermine democracy are political terrorists by definition,” the group said.

While commending the Commission of Inquiry, which Justice Ibiwengi Roseline Minakiri chairs, including prominent individuals like Mrs. Inyingi Brown, who serves as the secretary, and Uzor Ikenga, acting as counsel, HURIWA stressed the importance of this commission in delivering justice.

The human rights group called on security forces to ensure that any individual, regardless of political stature, is made to appear before the commission if summoned.

“If any person, no matter how powerful or influential, is implicated in this plot to destabilise Rivers State, the security agencies must act swiftly to arrest and present them before the commission. If found guilty after lawful proceedings, they should be prosecuted,” HURIWA stated.

HURIWA also expressed dissatisfaction with President Bola Tinubu’s response to the situation, describing his remarks as lacking statesmanship.

In a statement issued by President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President had urged political leaders in Rivers State to settle their disputes in court while also directing the police to ensure the protection of public facilities. However, HURIWA criticised the President for failing to identify those responsible for the violence explicitly and instead attempting to shift the narrative onto Governor Fubara.

The human rights group pointed out that it is not within the President’s purview to direct the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to carry out his constitutional duties, especially after a failure of security management has already occurred.

“It is not the President’s job to tell the IGP to ensure peace and order at the local government offices. That is the constitutional responsibility of the police, and the IGP should not need a reminder to fulfil that role,” HURIWA stated.

Furthermore, HURIWA criticised IGP Kayode Egbetokun for previously refusing to provide security during the Rivers local government elections, thus making him a partisan player in the crisis.

The group argued that the IGP’s refusal to maintain neutrality compromised his role as the nation’s top police officer, and as such, President Tinubu should have dismissed him.

“By allowing IGP Egbetokun to remain in office after he failed to secure the elections and by condoning his partiality in this crisis, the President is effectively endorsing impunity and lawlessness,” HURIWA remarked.

“We will initiate an international campaign urging European countries and the United States to impose visa bans on him. We will work to ensure that any visas he holds are revoked.”

The group also reiterated its readiness to hold the IGP and other law enforcement agencies accountable, insisting that no one is above the law, and urged Nigerians to remain vigilant in safeguarding democracy in Rivers State.

The group stressed that while it is committed to achieving justice within Nigeria, it will not hesitate to seek international redress if the situation is not addressed swiftly.

“We are prepared to launch a global advocacy campaign against IGP Egbetokun unless he fulfils his constitutional duty and arrests these criminals,” HURIWA noted.