NOVEMBER 3, 2013
Rivers State Police Commissioner, Mr. Joseph Mbu and Governor of Rivers State, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi
The National Human Rights Commission has said nobody will be above the law in its investigation into the Rivers State crisis. It said due process would be followed, regardless of persons involved.
The state Governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, had on October 4, 2013 sent a petition to the NHRC over the continued abuse of human rights in the state under the watch of the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Joseph Mbu.
Upon an invitation, Amaechi had appeared before the commission for an “initial investigation meeting” on October 18. Mbu has yet to appear before the commission.
Speaking to our correspondent on Thursday, the Chairman, NHRC, Mr. Chidi Odinkalu, said all citizens were equal before the law and should be treated as such.
He explained that the executive secretariat of the commission was still processing the case. He added that it was when the executive had difficulties in resolving the matter that the council, which he chaired, would step in.
Odinkalu said, “The case is still with the executive secretariat. I don’t want to believe that there are lawless people and institutions in the public service in Nigeria. The secretariat is presently dealing with this matter.
“One thing we also need to avoid in Nigeria is having the impression that some citizens are bigger than others, all citizens are equal; that is what the law says.”
In the petition, Amaechi urged the commission to probe the wasteful, uncoordinated and duplication of security operations devoid of the synergy that was the norm before the arrival of Mbu.
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