The former Majority Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Chidi Julius Lloyd has described the George Omereji,J, led judicial Commission of Inquiry which governor Nyeson Wike set up to probe the immediate past governor of the state, Chief Rotimi Amaechi, as pedestrian and its alleged findings grotesque, preposterous, absurd and antithetical with the magnanimity synonymous with good governance, fair determination of issues and totally perverse.
In a statement yesterday, the former lawmaker said that former governor Amaechi, apart from seeking and getting approval from the State House of Assembly for the money he is now being accused of misappropriating, also made two requests to the House, in accordance and in strict compliance with extant Laws, for a resolution to access the fund.
“The House, after extensive deliberations, gave approval for the withdrawal of the first tranche of N30,000.000.000 in February, 2014 and another N19,000.000.000 in October, 2014.
“It is worthy of note that the House of Assembly did not stop at approving the said sums, but also ensured the funds were deployed for the purpose for which they were drawn and we were satisfied with deployment of the funds, having complied strictly with extant laws.
“It is crystal clear that Gov. Amaechi is without blemish whatsoever.
“It is imperative to note that, the George Omereji,J, led judicial Commission of Inquiry, lacks the jurisdiction to inquire into Rivers State Government Finances or expenditure pursuant to the decision of Hon, Justice I.N. Buba of the Federal High court, Port Harcourt Division, in Suit No. FHC/PH/CS/78/2007 DELIVERED ON THE 20th of March, 2007.in ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR RIVERS STATE AND ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL CRIMES COMMISSION & 3 Ors.
“The so called judicial commission of inquiry, is bereft of the necessary powers to preside or make any determination or decisions or finding concerning the activities of the Rotimi Amaechi led administration.
“It is therefore shocking that any panel would even insinuate any wrong doing on the part of Gov. Amaechi, who rather deserves commendation of God fearing citizens for being frugal.
“Pointedly, the judicial commission of inquiry is pedestrian and its alleged findings grotesque, preposterous , absurd and antithetical with the magnanimity synonymous with good governance, fair determination of issues and totally perverse, especially when the Rivers State Government is clearly aware that no one institution or panel is inbuilt with the powers to inquire into the expenditures of the government except in accordance with the judgment of Hon..Justice I.N. Buba.” [myad]
