Date 12th May, 2016
PRESS RELEASE
The Enugu State Government has inaugurated a 7-man Judicial Commission
of Inquiry into the killings and destruction of property in Ukpabi
Nimbo in Uzo-Uwani local government council by suspected Fulani
herdsmen.
Inaugurating the commission of inquiry at Government House Enugu, the
State Governor, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi charged the members to
unravel the circumstances surrounding the dastardly act with a view to
bringing justice to all concerned in line with section 4(1) of the
Commission of Inquiry Law, Cap 24, Revised Laws of Enugu State 2004.
According to the terms of reference, Governor Ugwuanyi tasked the
commission members to among others to ascertain the remote causes of
the bloodbath and destruction of property, investigate and ascertain
the number of persons killed, injured and their identities as well as
the extent of the security forces involvement in the act.
They are also to ascertain the property destroyed, their owners and
the values and recommend appropriate measures to be taken to forestall
future occurrence, among others.
Responding on behalf of other members, the Chairman of the commission,
Hon Justice Chukwuma Ene JSC (retired) said that with the wealth of
experience of the members justice would be done in line with the rule
of law.
He thanked the governor and the people of Enugu State for the trust
and confidence reposed on them
The membership of the commission is as follows:
Hon. Justice Chukwuma Ene JSC (rtd) as chairman, Major General Godwin
Ugwuoke (rtd), Prof. Uchenna Nwagha, Prof. Osita Nnamani Ogbu and
Anthonia Nkemdilim Ugbene-Mgbachi as members, while the terms of
reference include:
The Terms of Reference in Full
1. To ascertain the remote and immediate causes of the recent
bloodbath and destruction of property in Nimbo in Uzo-Uwani Local
Government Area.
2. To examine in detail the involvement of the Security forces in
dealing with the situation before and after the bloodbath and
destruction of property.
3. To investigate and ascertain the number of persons killed or
injured in the disturbances and their identities.
4. To ascertain the properties destroyed, their owners and the value
of such properties.
5. To identify person (s) or group of persons who either by acts or
omissions were directly or indirectly involved or connected with or
sponsored the violence, killings of people and destruction of
property.
6. To make recommendations regarding persons whom the Commission Ends
blameworthy in connection with the violence, killings and damage to
property.
7. To identify all communities in Enugu State where the herdsmen live
and graze their cattle.
8. To ascertain the conditions under which they occupy the grazing
areas they live and graze in including their relationship with their
host communities. ‘
9. To recommend to the Government on the procedure to’ be followed by
herdsmen intending to graze their cattle in the State.
10. To recommend appropriate sanction/punishment for those who violate
the conditions recommended.
11. To recommend prosecution for all those identified to have been
involved in the killings and destruction of property in Nimbo or
breached their lawful duties by not preventing the bloodbath and
destruction of property.
12. To recommend appropriate security measures (including carrying of
picture IDs by herdsmen and other security guidelines] that will
prevent a future occurrence of the bloodbath and destruction of
property.
