By Mike Odiegwu, Port Harcourt

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has ordered a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to identify persons behind the brutality and fundamental human rights abuses by the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in the state.

Wike in a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Kelvin Ebiri, spoke while inaugurating the Judicial Commission of Inquiry at Government House, Port Harcourt on Thursday.

The statement said members of the commission were selected from Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), FIDA, youth, civil society, women and religious groups and was expected to investigate human rights abuses by the proscribed SARS and submit its report 60 days from the date of its first sitting.

Wike set up the panel in line with   powers conferred on him by the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the provisions of   Section 2(1) of the Commission of Inquiry Law of Rivers State (Cap 30) Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria, 1999.

The governor asked the commission to ascertain whether any of the officers, men and operatives of the Police, particularly, F-SARS involved in alleged acts of violence, torture, brutality, murder, violation of fundamental human rights or other atrocities in in the state was sponsored, counselled and procured by any person, group of persons, or officer of the state government.

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He said the commission was expected to identify persons or group of persons, who counselled, procured and sponsored alleged acts of violence and violation of human rights of citizens committed by personnel of F-SARS in the state.

Wike tasked the commission to identify the victims of such acts committed by officers and men of F-SARS.

He tasked the commission to determine the motive of the officers and operatives of F-SARS, who reportedly committed or participated in the alleged acts of torture, murder, brutality and violation of rights that occurred in Rivers State.

The governor further directed the panel to determine whether any of the victims of the alleged acts of violence by F-SARS was being held in detention.

He mandated the panel to make appropriate recommendations to the government on measures and means of preventing the occurrence of such acts of violence and violation of rights perpetrated by operatives of F-SARS.

Speaking to the panel, he said: “Recommend appropriate sanctions, punishment or other penalties to be imposed on the perpetrators of the said acts of violence, torture, murder, and violation of fundamental rights and/or other atrocities that occurred in Rivers State”.

Chairman of the commission, Justice Chukwunenye. I. Uriri (rtd), lauded Wike for the privilege to serve the state.

He assured the governor that the commission would discharge its duties with clear conscience and within the limits of the law.

Present at inauguration ceremony were the Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr. Ipalibo Banigo; the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Zacchaeus Adangor; the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo; Commissioner of Information and Communications, Paulinus Nsirim among others.

Other members of the Commission are, Mrs Florence Amiesimaka (FIDA); Tonye Ibisiki, Esq, (Nigerian Bar Association); Karl Chinedu Uchegbu (Civil Society); Chijioke Ihunwo (Youth Group); Rev. Richard Opara(Religious Group); Mrs Bella Ebeku( Women Group); Dr. George Nwaeke(Secretary) and Barr. Somiete Inko-Tariah (Counsel to the Commission)