Wike Sets Up Panel To Probe Former Gov Amaechi’s Administration

The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has set up a judicial commission of inquiry to investigate the immediate past administration of Mr. Rotimi Amaechi over the alleged sale of valued assets belonging to the state.

The Judicial Commission of Inquiry, which was inaugurated at the Government House in Port Harcourt on Friday, has Justice George Omereji as its chairman and four other members.

Inaugurating the commission, Wike specifically charged it to investigate the sale of the 150 Megawatts gas turbine in Omoku, Adam 360 MW Gas Turbine, Trans-Amadi 136 MW gas turbine and the 75 MW gas turbine in Eleme.

With 23 terms of reference available to the commission, the governor explained that it (commission of inquiry) was expected to investigate the monorail project and the sale of the Olympia Hotel by the Amaechi administration.

“In exercise of the powers conferred upon me by Section 2 (1) of the Commissions of Inquiry Law of Rivers State (Cap 30 Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria, 1999) and all other powers enabling me in that behalf, I, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, Governor of Rivers State, hereby constitute and appoint a Judicial Commission of Inquiry for the investigation of the administration of Governor Chibuike Amaechi,” he declared.

Wike also instructed the commission to investigate the non-execution of the contract for the construction of the Justice Karibi Whyte Hospital after the Amaechi administration paid $250m to the contractor.

The governor directed that the commission should also investigate the withdrawal and expenditure of the accrued N96bn from the Rivers State Reserve Fund without compliance with the extant law.

He urged the Judicial Commission of Inquiry to make appropriate recommendations that would assist the state government recover proceeds from the gas turbines sold by the Amaechi administration.

“The Judicial Commission of Inquiry also has the mandate to recover funds wrongfully disbursed on the failed Justice Karibi Whyte Hospital, the funds illegally withdrawn from the State’s Reserve Fund and the N2bn illegally disbursed under the Agriculture Credit Scheme,” Wike said.

He, however, gave the judicial commission of inquiry one month to submit its report to the state government.

In his response, the chairman of the commission, Justice Omereji, promised the governor that the body would carry out its duty diligently in line with the terms of reference.

Omereji further assured that the people of the state would be happy with the report of the commission, adding that the body would work hard to complete its work within the time frame.

Other members of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry are: Dr. Edith Chukwu, Chief Monday Ekekenta, Rev. Canon Alex Usifo and Elder Ignatius Piegbara. Mrs. Florence Fiberesima is to serve as secretary while Dr. Zacheaus Adango serves as the counsel to the commission.

Punch reportage.

Wahala dey for Nigeria!.....So his first term will be spent witch hunting the former governor?He should concentrate on his work and stop making it so obvious that he is out for revenge!