Enugu Govt Inaugurates Panel To Investigate Killing Of Monarch

The Enugu State government will today (Friday) inaugurate a judicial commission of inquiry into the circumstances that led to the killing of the traditional ruler of Oruku community in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State, Igwe Emmanuel Chidiebere Mba.

Our correspondent reported that the traditional ruler was allegedly killed by armed men, who claimed to be policemen on 26/12/2020 when he was presiding over a town-hall meeting of his community. His killers had stormed the meeting venue, shot him, and zoomed off in their SUV. Igwe Mba later died at the National Orthopedic Hospital, Enugu, due to loss of blood.

According to the secretary to the Enugu State government, Prof Simon Uchenna Ortuanya, the panel is headed by Justice Harold Eya, with their terms of reference as ‘to ascertain the number of persons killed or injured, identify persons, group or institutions who either by acts or omissions were directly or indirectly involved in, or sponsored the crisis, and investigate any other matter(s) that may come to the knowledge of the panel in the course of the inquiry, not covered in these terms of reference’.

The panel is also mandated to make recommendations regarding persons whom the panel finds culpable and/or blameworthy in connection with the crisis, and generally make recommendations on how to prevent similar crises.

According to the SSG, the panel was constituted by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi pursuant to Section 4(1) of the Commission of Inquiry Law, Cap. 24, Revised Laws of Enugu State 2004, because of ‘the attendant threats of further breakdown of law and order and breach of the peace in the area and in the overriding interest of the public welfare’.

The members are HRH Igwe Amb Lawrence Agubuzu, Prof Den Chris Onah, Barr Anthony Ogbu, Dr Chinwe Onah, Dr Godwin Anigbo (secretary) and Barr Paschal Okoloagu (counsel to the commission).