The Rivers state governor, Nyeson Wike has finally set up a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to probe the administration of immediate past Governor, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, even as the former governor described the probe as being ‘dead on arrival.’
The Justice George Omeregi-led commission of inquiry began its sitting today at the Chief Judge’s court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital and is expected to probe the alleged sale of state assets by the past administration, as well as invite former Commissioners and officials of former Governor Amaechi to explain their role in the financial administration of the state.
However, in reaction to the probe, the former governor expressed reservations over the probe, saying: “what Wike has set out to do is anything but fair.”
In a statement issued by the media office of the former governor and signed by his former Chief Press Secretary, David Iyofor, Amaechi said that though he is not afraid of a fair and decent probe or investigation of his administration and would cooperate and support such inquiry as much as it is done within the armbit of the law, but that Wike has already pre-empted the outcome of the probe.
“Governor Wike had repeatedly held at various fora that former governor Amaechi acted illegally in the disbursement of funds and ran a corrupt government, and as such prejudging the outcome of the inquiry. And the probe is dead on arrival”, the statement by former governor’s media aide said.
The statement dismissed reports trending on the internet that the former governor had been involved in fraud to the tune of 757 million Dollars in a US bank, describing such claims as imaginary.
The Chairman of the panel, Justice Omeregi, however, promised that the panel will be fair to all and will not witch-hunt anyone. [myad]
