Ile-Ife mayhem: Almost one year, panel yet to submit report

Barely a year after the crisis that engulfed between Yoruba and Hausa communities in Ile-Ife, Osun state, the panel of enquiry set up by the government to determine the remote and immediate causes of the mayhem has yet to submit report of its findings.

The crisis, which broke out March 8, 2017 reportedly claimed many lives while property worth millions of naira were destroyed between the two wary factions.

The panel of inquiry led by Justice Moshud Adeigbe was inaugurated on April 19, 2017 with mandate to conclude their investigation within four weeks.

While inaugurating the Commission, Governor Rauf Aregbesola said his administration would continue to promote peace in the state, appealing to the panel to cooperate with the police and other security agencies in the process of unravelling those behind the mayhem.

Aregbesola told the commission to investigate and determine the remote and immediate causes of the disturbance, identify the perpetrators and extent of involvement, determine the extent of injury suffered by any individual or group.

He mandated them to recommend appropriate civil or criminal action to be taken against the perpetrators, make appropriate suggestions to the state government towards the prevention of future occurrence and also recommend appropriate monetary sum as compensation(s) for damages or injuries that may have been suffered by any individual or group of individuals, adding “you have four weeks to carry out this assignment.

The committee had since July 7, 2017 concluded their investigation and promised to give recommendation to the government appropriately.

After the last sitting, the secretary of the panel, Mr. Bisi Babalola, said “we received 406 memoranda and we have treated 289. I can assure the public that the panel would soon make recommendation to the government in due course.

When the secretary to the committee was contacted on why the report has not been presented to the Governor, Mr. Bisi Babalola said he would not be able to comment on the matter.

He said the Chairman, Retired Justice Adeigbe would be able to give appropriate answer on the report.

When Babalola was told that Justice Adeigbe has retired, he said the Chairman of the panel remains until the panel is dissolved by the Governor.

He said Justice Adeigbe only retired as a Judge and not as chairman of the panel of enquiry.

When Justice Adeigbe was contacted on phone, he said the report is being prepared and assured that it would be presented soon.

Justice Adeigbe who refused to speak further on the report of the committee, stated that the Attorney General of the state or Secretary to the government would be able to speak further on the present stage of the report.

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