7th October, 2015
Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt
The Justice George Omeriji-led Commission of Inquiry has through its recommendations given Governor Nyesom Wike the liberty to go after the former Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi, who has just been nominated for a ministerial position, and those who served under him.
Governor Nyesom Wike, who worked under Amaechi, in his response assured that nobody can intimidate and prevent his administration from implementing the recommendations of the Hon. Justice George Omeriji’s Judicial Commission of Inquiry Report on the Sale of Rivers State Valued Assets and other Matters by the Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi-led government.
While submitting the report and recommendations to Wike at Government House, Port Harcourt, on Wednesday, Justice Omeriji said: “I plead with Your Excellency to read the report and act fast, so that you can help recover the stolen billions that are still stashed where the thieves kept them. The money belongs to the people of Rivers State and should be used by them.”
Responding, Governor Wike said: “We will not be intimidated by anybody or group of persons. I am aware that so many things have been done to discredit your Commission. I see it as the action of a guilty person who is using the media to discredit the work of people. We will swing into action immediately and implement the contents of the report to the letter.”
He commended Justice Omeriji and his team for working round the clock to produce the document in good time in spite of open threats, negative media comments and spurious law suits employed by the detractors.
“You have taken the bull by the horns to make sure that you serve your fatherland. I know that you and your members have faced lots of threats and other challenges; but what is important in life is that when your hands are clean and your conscience is clear you will not buckle under any pressure, rather, you will go ahead and do the right thing,” Wike stated.
Speaking earlier, Justice Omeriji, who said that his Commission received 27 memoranda,142 exhibits and 25 witnesses and pleaded with the Governor to move fast and recover all the money and assets stolen by the Rotimi Amaechi-led administration.
The setting up of the probe panel has been a subject of political intrigues and controversies and several court cases challenged the competence of the panel of inquiry.
Political appointees who served under Amaechi declined appearance at the panel, accusing it of being on a witch-hunt of political enemies.
The submission of the recommendations is coming less than 48 hours after Amaechi’s name appeared on President Muhammadu Buhari’s list of ministerial nominees.