A counsel to a petitioner has said that his client’s car was set ablaze following a reprisal attack by youths in Oyigbo Local Government.
The military had invaded the local government when they learnt that some of their men were killed following the #EndSARS protest which was hijacked by the Indigenous People of Biafra.
The petition was brought by De Originals Multi-Resources Ltd, represented by Mr Nwokedi Onyekwere Cojathan.
The petitioner’s counsel, C. U. Isaiah Green, who addressed the commission, said that his client’s car was set on fire by youths in the area during reprisal attack.
The counsel to the police was however absent during the proceedings.
Following a directive by the commission’s chairman, Honourable Justice C. I. Uriri (retd), the commission’s counsel, S. O. Inko-Tariah, had told the panel that the petitioner’s car was set ablaze by hoodlums during the #EndSARS protest and said that the petition was outside the terms of reference of the commission.
The counsel suggested that the petition should be struck out because it fell outside the jurisdiction of the commission.
The petitioner’s counsel however said that the car was set ablaze following a reprisal attack by the youths.
The chairman of the commission said the matter had no links with the commission and struck out the case.
Another petition brought by Unity Shop Association, Oil Mill Market, was however not heard because the petitioners were not present neither was counsel to the police.
The commission chairman stressed the need for early arrival when the counsel to police later arrived for the proceedings.
The Judicial Commission of Inquiry, set up by Rivers State government, looks into the alleged acts of violence, torture and brutality and murder and the violation of fundamental rights of citizens committed by the officers and men and operatives of the Nigerian Police Force in the state and make recommendations.
