By Rabiu Doma, Nasarawa
Barrister Zachariah Alumaga, the legal Adviser to Ombatse Eggon group has said the laws surrounding the nine (9) man Judicial commission of inquiry into the recent skirmishes that claimed lives, destruction of patrol vehicles and missing weapons in Alakyo community in Lafia Local Government is anti Eggon nation.
Alumaga called on the chairman of the commission to revisit the laws and come up with laws that will protect all the ethnic groups in the state.
He frowned at the way and manner the state Governor proscribed the cultural group – adding that the use of Northern Nigeria legal notice No 4 which is applicable to Nasarawa is a total diversion from the real issue on ground – saying the penal sections are obsolete and done.
He further said the modus operands of the term of reference of the commission cannot stand the test of time – describing the case as criminal matter.
Also in his submission Musa Aluko condemned the position of legal Adviser to Ombatse, saying the sitting is still at the premature stage.
It could be recalled that Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura inaugurated a Judicial commission of Inquiry into the brutal and unwholesome maiming of scores of Joint Task Force ranging from police, mobile police force ,State Security Service and Men of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) killed by militiamen.
The terms of reference of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry who’s assignment will elapse in six weeks includes –
The Judicial Commission of Inquiry will be guided by the following terms of
reference:
1.To inquire into the remote and immediate cause(s) of the killings of over fifty
Nigeria Security Personnel on the 7th of May, 2013 and the extent of
the involvement of the outlawed ‘Ombatse Militia Group’ or any other group
whatsoever in the said mayhem; 2.To inquire into how
and why, despite its proscription vide Nasarawa State Legal Notice No.4 of
2012, Vol.15, the outlawed Ombatse Militia continues its activities unabated
and continues to cause a breach of the peace in Nasarawa State; 3. To inquire into how
and where the outlawed Ombatse militia was formed or evolved, its founders,
promoters, sponsors, financiers, members, aiders and abettors and examine their
role(s) in the killings of the said Nigeria Security Operatives on or about the
7th May, 2013 and recommend, provide and exert appropriate
punishment for those found culpable within the provision of the penal code as
applicable in Nasarawa State; 4.To inquire into the
modus operandi of the said outlawed Ombatse Militia and how it
acquired/acquires its finances, arms, ammunitions, charms and weapons of attack
and destruction including how they are stored and distributed and identify
persons or groups, supporters and or collaborators and recommend, provide and
> exert appropriate punishment for those found culpable within the provision of
> the penal code as applicable in Nasarawa State and other extant status
> regulating arms and ammunitions; 5. To
> identify the number of people, including Nigeria Security Personnel who lost
> their lives and who sustained varying degrees of injuries, the extent of
> properties destroyed and damaged, as well as the economic loss in the killings
Of Nigeria Security Personnel on or about the 7th of May, 2013 and
Other areas of the State and the perpetrators or culprits with a view to
recommending, providing and or exerting appropriate penal sanctions in
accordance with the penal code as applicable in Nasarawa State and other extant
penal statutes, etc; 6. To identify the
persons, groups, community or communities, associations or organizations recently
Or indirectly whether as leaders, sponsors, financiers, members, aiders, foot
soldiers, errand boys, spies, collaborators or backers, etc in the massive and
unwarranted killings of individuals and large scale destruction of lives and
properties at Alakyo, Ba rkin Abdullahi and Kwandere in Lafia LGA, Iggah in
> Nassarawa Eggon LGA, Burum-Burum in Doma LGA, Yelwa-Bassa in Kokona LGA of
Nasarawa State respectively and recommend, provide and exert appropriate penal
sanctions in accordance with relevant penal statutes;
7. To examine and Proffer suggestions/advice on the ways, means and methodology through which
Government can deal with, curb and completely wipe out the activities of this
outlawed militia or any other militia or illegal or anti-social group or groups
In the State; and
Justice Joseph Gbadeyan serves as the chairman,
Barrister Muntassir Mohammed ,Ibrahim Bakut and Brigadier General Owobiye Dickson
as members, others are professor Femi Adekunle,Hajiya Zainab Gogo Bayero,Asabe Baba
Nayaya,(NAWOJ president) ,representative
of Human Right Commission and Hamisu Ali Jos,(AIG retired) as members.
The chairman in his speech assured the state Governor of transparent assignment ,saying the commission will be guided the principle of equity, fairness and Justice.
He also aver that the commission will ensured confidentiality,mobility and maintenance,Diligence and promptness in the discharge of their duty.
Justice Joseph said the commission will ensure the establishment of relevant fact,Adding that as the anchorman of the commission he will stand in accordance to the terms of reference of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry .
The chairman of the commission rtd Justice Joseph Gbadeyin adjourned the sitting to Monday next week following the plea for extension by the Nigeria Bar Association.
