RECENTLY, the Delta state Acting Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme inaugurated a Commission of Inquiry with a mandate to inquire into, make findings, report on, and make recommendations concerning land and kingship disputes in Ogwashi-Uku as well as between Ogwashi-Uku and other neighbouring communities .
The Commission was indeed tasked with investigating petitions received from the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku and other persons bordering on disputes relating to kingship and land ownership within Ogwashi-Uku kingdom; the disputes between the Ogwashi-Uku kingdom and other neighbouring communities.
The Commission, headed by Hon. Justice E. N. Emudainowho, has members including Dr. Ajoritsedere Josephine Awosika; Dr. Paul Enebeli; Prof Andrew Onokerhoraye; Charles Dike, Deputy Commissioner of Police; Moses Nametary.”o, Assistant Director, Department of State Services, DSS, Delta State, while Gabriel Ikemefuna Eze-Owenz, Director (Advisory Services), Ministry of Justice serves as member/Secretary.
The commission was equally mandated to critically examine whether the procedure for appointment of all clan chiefs (Okwabanis) in Ogwashi-Uku kingdom was in accordance with extant Delta State Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Law as well as identifying the principal actors behind the community unrest; the immediate and remote cause(s) of the community unrest in Ogwashi-Uku kingdom; and any other matter or petition concerning any person, community, or institution relevant to the inquiry.
To ensure a smooth take off, operation and non-interference with the assignment of the Commission, the state governent suspended the activities of clan chiefs (okwabanis) not only in Ogwashi-Uku but neighbouring communities including lbusa, Otulu, Ubulu-Okiti, Okpanam, Olodu, Ewulu, Azagba- Ogwashi, Aboh-Ogwashi, and Olloh-Ogwashi communities.
We commend the state government for setting up the commission as it will go a long way to not only unmasking the forces behind the disputes but also provide lasting solutions and preventive measures against a reoccurrence.
Indeed, this step taken by the state government is a manifestation of the Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration’s irrevocable commitment to peace and security, which is indispensable for meaningful political, social and economic development, not only in the affected communities but the entire state.
There is no doubt that the task before the commission is enormous and deserves tremendous expertise, commitment, patriotic zeal, dedication, track records of performance and strength of character.
It is our firm belief that the Chairman and members of the commission are blessed with these virtues and will amply demonstrate same while carrying out the onerous assignment.
The commission should stand firm, resolute and only rely on cogent, reliable and verifiable evidence in the investigations and consequential reports and recommendations to the state government.
The Chairman and members of the commission should not only be seen to be above board but manifestly seen to be so.
Clearly, this platform should serve as a unique opportunity for the chairman and his team to write their names in gold as history will never forget the good deeds of citizens to their fatherland.
All other stakeholders in this inquiry, including opinion leaders, the clergy, youths and the communities should cooperate with the commission to ensure that the aims and objectives of the inqúiry are accomplished.
All the suspended Clan chiefs (okwabanis) in particular should do everything possible to comply with the state government’s directive to stop parading themselves chiefs or engaging in any activities linked to such chieftaincy status pending the outcome of the commissions’ enquiry, report and government’s further directives on the matter.
The mass media and political observers should also join hands with the commission by enlightening the various stakeholders on the need to cooperate with the commission so as to achieve its objectives.
While we commiserate with the victims of the crises, which have taken a toll on both human and material resources in the affected communities, we align with the state government in urging the commission to leave no stone unturned in unmasking the perpetrators of the dastardly acts, their agents and privies so that they will be made to face the full weight of the law.
Ours is a democracy-based system of government anchored on the virtues of rule of law, equity and fair play and accordingly, no person or group of persons should subject any citizen to untold hardship precipitated by selfish and unmitigated culture of impunity, lawlessness, rascality or barbaric resort to self-help in the name of land, chieftaincy or kingship disputes.
Granted that no penalty on the perpetrators may adequately compensate for losses, especially those involving human casualties, it is, however, imperative that the brains behind such heinous crimes are paid in their own coins and in accordance with the law so as to serve as deterrent to others for as the sages say, ‘if evil is not punished the society should forget about doing good’.
It is against this backdrop and indeed the inexorable need for peace and tranquility to return to Ogwashi-Uku community and their neighbours enmeshed in needless crises necessitating this task before the commission, that we urge the chairman and members of the commission to speedily but with precision examine with a fine tooth comb the immediate and remote causes of the disputes and recommend not only penalties but preventive measures against future re-enactment of such heinous crimes.
