PRESS RELEASE 03 July, 2013 UNIBEN STUDENT KILLING: EDHA TO SET UP SEPARATE PANEL OF ENQUIRY BENIN CITY Edo State House of Assembly under the leadership of Hon. Uyi Igbe has said it will soon set up an independent and separate panel of enquiry into the death of the University of Benin student, Ibrahim Momodu allegedly killed by the Divisional Police Officer of Ogida Police Station, Mrs. Carol Afegbai and her men. The speaker stated this on Wednesday when group of students, bereaved family, and civil society organizations led by the Executive Director of Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice, Reverend David Ugolor protested to the Edo House of Assembly, Palace of the Benin Monarch, the state Ministry of Justice and the state secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists on the need for panel of enquiry to be set up into extra judicial killings in Edo State with specific reference to the UNIBEN student case and that of the late Principal private secretary to the Edo state Governor, Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde. According to the speaker, the House would sit and deliberate the matter so that the house standing committee on security would constitute a separate and an independent panel of enquiry into the killing of the UNIBEN student and as well consider a public hearing into the killing of the principal private secretary to the state governor. The speaker directed the protesting groups to forward 30 copies of their petition to the House immediately to enable the House deliberate the matter. Speaking further, the speaker said the House is aware of the efforts made by the State Governor, Comrade Adams to set up the panel of enquiry into the killing of the UNIBEN student and the different investigation by the Nigeria Police Force, but the House would set up a separate and independent investigative panel into the matter. The speaker said the House was not silent on the case of the late principal private secretary to the state governor but decided to be calm because the State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole was making a very commendable efforts in the matter. Adding that the state House of Assembly would still organize their own public hearing in the Oyerinde case. Earlier, one of the spokespersons of the group, the Executive Director of Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice, Reverend David Ugolor said the protesting groups want the House to prevail on the matters so that an independent panel of enquiry would be set up into the UNIBEN student killing. Adding that, since the report of the public hearing organized in February this year by the National Assembly into the killing of the principal private secretary to the Edo state Governor is yet out, it would be good if the State House of Assembly organize their own public hearing into the matter. It was observed that the mother of the deceased, Mrs. Osas Momodu who joined in the protest battled to speak to the Speaker but she could not as she broke down in tears in the process.
Posted on: Thu, 04 Jul 2013 10:33:26 +0000