By Kenneth Onuoha
The Ebonyi state government on Monday, February 8, 2021, inaugurated a seven-man Judicial panel of inquiry into the crisis between Effium and Ezza Effium communities in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi state.
The State Governor, David Umahi, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr. Kelechi Igwe during the inauguration at the Executive Chamber in Abakaliki, charged the members of the committee to be dedicated to the task for which they were set up.
He said the committee has six weeks to conclude its assignment and to come up with a panacea for lasting peace in the crisis area.
“You are to determine the remote and immediate causes of the crisis, to determine the level of damage on lives and properties,“ Igwe charged the committee.
The Deputy Governor said they must also determine those who instigated the crisis.
“Another major thing the committee members should unravel is to know who was directly and indirectly involved in the mayhem”, the Deputy Governor added.
He said the members of the committee were carefully selected based on their track record to bring lasting peace to the warring communities.
The members of the panel include Justice Omaka Elekwa, chairman, Barrister Gilbert Okorie, secretary. Others are Eze Chukwu Agwu, Reverend Father Moses Ogudu, Reverend Father Okoro Agha and Barrister Nkem Chukwu.