The Rivers State Truth and Reconciliation ommission sitting in Port-Harcourt relocated to Abuja during the week to take evidence from at least four of the prominent citizens of the state over the myriad of criminal allegations leveled against them by persons and communities in the state pertaining to crises that have been rocking the state in the last few years. The prominent citizens of the state who moved the commission to relocate include former Governor of the state, Dr Peter Odili, the then Secretary to the State Government, Abiye Samuel Precious Sekibo, Austin Opara and the immediate past Governor of the state, Sir Celestine Omehia.
According to the retired Justice of the Supreme Court and Chairman of the Commission, Justice Kayode Esho, he said that although subpoena duces tecum and subpoena duces testificandum had been issued on the foursome, he said the commission felt that there was no need to compel their attendance since they were not willing to come to Port-Harcourt, its sitting venue, on what they called �security reasons�.
He said given the mandate of the commission, it would be counter-productive to pursue strict compliance with subpoenas and that it would also be unfair to close the case without hearing from them.
Having set the tone, what was supposed to be a three day proceedings kicked off Tuesday at about 12: 20 at Sheraton Hotels.
The former Governor of Rivers State, Dr Peter Odili, was the first to give evidence before the commission.
He mounted the witness box at about 12:20 and told the Rivers State Truth and Reconciliation Commission that he had no hands in the brutal murder of the Deputy Chairman of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Dr Harry Marshal and Aminasorai Dikibo.
Odili who swore with the name of Almighty God before the commission to give his position a stronger force also invited his creator to visit him �with clear and appropriate punishment� if indeed if he was lying.
He also denied a litany of criminal allegations leveled against him before the commission by past witnesses including deliberate use of thugs to deal with his political enemies, the destruction of a community called Amada whose indigenes allegedly belonged to another political party and the reckless waste of the resources of the state.
He used the opportunity of the occasion to showcase what he did in the state for eight years.
He however started his evidence-in-chief by saying that for the respect he had for the commission and its members, he would not have appeared before it because it was evident from the trend of its proceedings that it was set up to deliberately smear his name.
�I have chosen to come here because of the respect I have for you (Justice Esho) and the commission.
He nonetheless faced the Chairman of the Commission and former justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Kayode Esho Tuesday, accusing him of bias.
He cited a lecture delivered by the eminent jurist recently where Justice Esho described as condemnable a high court order granted an ex-governor stopping his arrest and prosecution as one of the reasons for accusing him of taking a position against him before he agreed to chair the truth commission.
�My lord, although you mentioned no name of the said ex-governor that got the order, but I know that you were referring to me. This is because I was the only governor that did not sleep on my right and went to court,� to which the large bowel of the Ladi Kwali Hall, the sitting venue of the Truth Commission reverberated with laughter and smiles from the audience.
He gave evidence before the commission for four hours and forty five minutes amidst ovations and cheers from his supporters.
He came to the commission�s sitting venue in company of the former Secretary to the State Government, Sekibo Abiye, Austin Okpara and former Governor of the state, Sir Celestine Omehia.
It seemed all of them headed for the sitting venue of the commission in Abuja from a common meeting place.
But if it is not so, all of them, no doubt, in their written opening statements made available to newsmen, agreed that the commission was not really set up to get at any root of any crisis in the state with a view to reconciling warring parties but to hit at them and smear them.
Ex-Governor Peter Odili was led in evidence Tuesday by his lead counsel, Mr Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN) who first sought the permission of the commission to allow his client read his opening remarks before taking him through some of the issues raised therein.
His words: �let me thank you immensely for accepting to create this opportunity for me to respond to the litany of vile and unfounded baseless and devilishly false allegations that have been sponsored against the government that I headed by the Grace of God from 1999-2007 and against my person and character.
�I have never been a member of any secret society or cult group in all my life. That I will never belong to any secret society or cult group. That I have never sponsored or encouraged any cult group. That I have never sponsored or encourage any violence in any form against any human being or community in my life.
That I have never owned a thug or group of thugs. That I have never conspired with any one or with any group of people to do harm to any one or any community�.
The governor continued: �that I have never and will never be part of any plot or conspiracy to take human live because I know I fear God. That I challenge anyone who disputes any of the above statements to come forward publicly with incontrovertible evidence to the contrary. Not �I think or I believe or I hear�.
At no time between 1999 and 2007 did governor Amaechi advise me against the use of cult groups for election because there was no need for such advise. I further declare that if any of these statements is untrue, I invite God to visit me with clear and appropriate punishment�.
Tracing his political life, Governor Odili said his concept of political and public office is �founded on service and true democratic principles of team work and respect for local sensibilities� which he said �informed my setting up of the Restoration Team and the Apex Team� with representatives from the different ethnic groups in the state.
Governor Odili said upon assumption of office in 1999, he met a state that was deeply polarized along ethnic and communal line which posed great threat to security of lives and properties.
He emphasized that violence and the proliferation of arms in Rivers State predated 1999 and what he did when he came into office was to tackle headlong the challenge such problems posed.
On the 2004 violence, the former governor of Rivers State said: �I had taken off on a well deserved vacation out of the state – the first with my family after four years in office. Two days after arriving in Johannesburg I got a call from Porthacourt that there was a cult attack in the city by cultists who came in a number of boats and confronted the police at Marine Base chasing residents and innocent citizens on their way to church on a Sunday morning.
“I immediately suspended my vacation and raced back to Port Harcourt . After some days the situation was brought back under control in Port Harcourt but isolated skirmishes continued in the outskirts in the creeks.
�Late afternoon on 1st October 2004, I got a call from the presidency to come urgently. When I got to the villa, I met a group of young men, apparently from my state who had been brought to the Villa for the purpose of making peace and stopping the violence in the state. They were said to be representing Ateke and Asari�s group and both men were also present. That was my first time of sitting with Ateke in my life.
“That meeting led to limited amnesty by the federal government of Nigeria and the setting up of two committees, one for social welfare and another for arms recovery. I was privileged to chair the arms recovery committee which included an Army General, an Air vice marshal, a Rear Admiral, a police Commissioner, a Director from the SSS, Asari and Ateke.
�The military and security personnel negotiated the price of the various types of weapons. Through this process, we recovered and paid for about 3400 guns of various types and publicly destroyed them in broad daylight in Nigerian Army Bori Camp, Port_Harcourt in the presence of local and international press and the ministry of defence
�I have neither been in bunkering business nor do I have interest in community or chieftancy problems anywhere. I therefore had no need to raise or support any armed group. I challenge anyone who thinks I armed anyone or supported any armed group to step forward publicly with his evidence,� he said.
Speaking on Chief Marshal Harry, he said: �from 1998 when we first met, we enjoyed a very cordial and friendly relationship. When I got elected in 1999, he was the State Chairman of the Party and we related very well. We disagreed over the issue of Govt/Party relationship and Patronage. I still supported him to become our National Vice Chairman.
�Our relationship got strained and he eventually left the party. We however got reconciled through the intervention of two of our revered Royal Fathers, and we resumed our cordial relationship quietly since he was by then the National Vice Chairman of another political party.
�The last contact I had with him was before he traveled abroad. I was rudely shocked to hear of his brutal death one early morning (05/03/2003). �I had no idea that he was back to Nigeria. I deny, in the name of God, that I had anything, whatsoever, to do with Marshal Harry�s death.
�The trial of the suspects for his murder is going on in Abuja .
On Chief A. K. Dikibo, the ex-governor said: �he was a very close family friend and we had enjoyed a political relationship since 1996 when we were both in the then DPN (Democratic Party of Nigeria). I showed him great appreciation and on the exit of Marshal Harry from the POP, I supported him to become the National Vice Chairman (South South) of the party.
�As a result of that appointment, he spent most of his time in Abuja. We had no personal quarrels or disagreements whatsoever. I was devastated to hear via a phone call from his nephew (Soe Dikibo), who was then a commissioner in the State Executive Council, at about 10_11 p.m that Chief AK Dikibo had been killed on his way to Asaba.
�So Dikibo�s call came from Yenogoa where he said he was attending a wedding. We sent off a team to Asaba immediately. Soe got back to Port Harcourt . I deny in the name of God, any knowledge or role whatsoever in the death of Chief A. K. Dikibo.
�As a result of his high profile, a Federal Government Investigation Panel was set up following his death. I understand that the trial of his accused suspects is on-going. My prayer is that God will expose and bring to judgment the killers of the great sons of Rivers State. Our prayers and support will continue to go to their families.
Speaking on how he managed the resources of the state during his eight year rule, Odili said: �the total receipts from 1999-2007 was N708.3 billion.
�We approved and paid the controversial 3500 minimum wage on assumption of office and when 7500 was proposed, we were the first state to pay.
Our judicial staff were about the best paid in the Federation and they were independent.
“Our legislature was independent and operated their own finances.
We declared free education at primary, junior and senior secondary school levels. . We increased tertiary levels bursary by over 400%. . We sent close to 500 students abroad on scholarship.
“We have sent a large number of graduates on post graduate training abroad.
We declared free health care for children under six and for � adults over the age of 60.
We introduced free Caesarean Section for Emergency deliveries.
We built roads in every local government area and indeed took on some of the most ambitious intra state roads.
“The Unity Road and the Trans Kalabari roads are two major examples.
We built new schools and renovated most old ones.
We renovated old hospitals and built new ones especially the specialist Braithwaite Memorial Hospital and the Ubima General Hospital.
“We installed mono-pumps in most wards in the state.
Our independent Power Programme is second to none in the country. We have put in place enough generating capacity for the state for years to come.
“We distributed over 400 transformers throughout the state. We installed gen sets in remote locations awaiting our IPP. All our successor needs to do is to complete the transmission which is over 80% completed and distribute to homes.
“We built the 132KV 270 kilometers Double Circuit Transmission line through a most difficult terrain in the state from Omoku to Port Harcourt .
We built distribution power lines within the state.
We pioneered the use of] and installed solar street lighting systems from the Omagwa international airport to the city and some major streets.
“We rebuilt at great cost the Port Harcourt Airport Road.
We built the Diu Dbasanjo Airforce base – East west Road by-pass.
We build the Elelenwo, Woji, and a host of other bridges connecting communities.
We procured over 120 luxury buses for free school bussing and public transport. We rebuilt RTC
We built the best Govt. House in Nigeria.
“We built over 3,800 low cost houses.
We built the best State House of Assembly Complex in Nigeria
We built the best State Judiciary Complex in the Country.
We built new courts.
“We completed new Assembly Quarters for members of our State House of Assembly.
We bought a dual purpose use Air Ambulance/Executive Jet, a Dash 8 aircraft and a Helicopter.
We bought over 130 vehicles for the Nigeria Police, over 300 bullet proof vests and 3 APCs.
“We bought over 30 boats for the Navy including 3 armoured unsinkable assault boats. We rebuilt the abandoned Nigeria Air Force Base airport runway and installed runway/landing lights and the CAT II Instrument Landing System (lLS system). We bought over 400 taxis and subsidized to allottees. We created an enabling environment for investors which led to the influx of new businesses and employment for our people.
“In collaboration with TAP, we gave skills to our people – over 700,000 were trained and equipped. We raised the revenue profile of the state. We invested in the economic sector and our net worth investment is over 80 billion.
�We built one of the best liaison offices in Abuja. We built three estates in Abuja .
�I herewith present to the commission a little brochure detailing some of the works we executed with the money accruing to our people and our state during our tenure.
�But most importantly, My Lord, we insisted on the lowest cost for the best quality and we challenged repeatedly and still challenge now, anyone who can do any of the things or projects we executed at a lower cost to come forward.
�If Odili�s Government was bad, why did the State Assembly under the Speakership of the Rt Hon Rotimi Amaechi hold a special session in honour of Dr Odili and accord him an Honourary Life Member of the same Assembly?
�Why did the same Assembly in April 2007 pass a unanimous vote of confidence and clean bill of health to the Odili Administration?
�If Odili�s administration was not good enough, why did Justice Adolphus Karibi Whyte not resign his appointment as Chairman State Advisory Council, a position he held till May 29, 2007.
�Above all, I challenge anyone in Rivers State , Nigeria and in the world who says ODILI looted Rivers Money to come forward with evidence of where this money is, anywhere in the world including Nigeria. It is an open challenge.
�God blessed me before I became Governor and I accepted the challenge to serve sacrificially. I am a contented man and I FEAR GOD.
�As a man who loves Rivers State dearly, I will make these suggestions for Posterity even though I do not believe that the intention of those who conceived the Commission was to find truth and genuine reconciliation.
“Youth restiveness is common all over the Niger Delta due to a feeling of frustration among qualified employable but unfortunately jobless young people. So job creation in the oil industry and its subsidiaries will be key to reducing the number of idle hands in the area available for use by negative minds.
“Deliberate creation of stakeholders� interest participation for the indigenes in the industry and Massive and Robust Infrastructural development especially roads and bridges, in Rivers (riverine areas), Delta, and Bayelsa states, driven by strong POLITICAL WILL, by the Federal Government.
The situation in Rivers State today is pathetic and calls for reorientation of our people and a return to God. Leadership must be humble and fearful of God.
“There is need for true leaders and elders of Rivers State to come together selflessly unite and plan for the future of the state, and not run down people, fomenting restiveness for their personal relevance and self aggrandizement.
After the long speech, a long list of counsel representing various interests at the commission cross-examined the ex-governor.
The following day, Wednesday, the Secretary to the State Government during Peter Odili�s tenure also mounted the witness box.
He also said all he knew about the crisis rocking the state.