The leader of the Niger Delta Vigilante Group, Ateke Tom, may not testify in camera in the on-going public hearing; describing the utterances of Governor Chibuike Amaechi on Monday as lacking sincerity and commitment to the peace process. Ateke Tom, who spoke to Niger Delta STANDARD through his counsel, Chijuka Esekody, on Thursday, said he was not convinced that the governor will not pull any storm if he comes to the Civic Centre, venue of the hearing.
Mr. Esekody remarked that “we must be very honest. The utterances of the governor when he made appearance here on Monday had made it clear that he (Ateke) is not very sure of his safety. I have in my own wisdom tried to pass the message to Justice Eso on the matter because he tried to talk to me to convince Ateke to come, and I told him that I doubt it because of the fears Ateke is nursing over this matter”. He further said: “Ordinarily, he would have loved to be here. We are still looking at it. He may decide to come or the commission may find another means of getting his testimony.
That means shifting grounds, because it may just have to come to that. But right now, he is not convinced that government is sincere in reconciling”. Asked if Ateke is prepared to reconcile with others, he said: “Ateke�s words so far show that he is very much ready for reconciliation”. It would be recalled that while Governor Amaechi was being cross-examined when he took the witness box on Monday, he warned the commission to be careful in making recommendations that may set bad precedents to the upcoming youths.
Governor Chibuike, at a point, when the first counsel to Ateke, H. O. Ekelemia, asked if he wanted peace between him and Ateke, said “who is Ateke?,” stressing that what he wants is peace in Rivers State and not Ateke who is not an issue. Meanwhile, the commission, after hearing from the witness who stood-in for Okuroma community over its crisis with Abuloma community, deferred cross examination till Monday, June 9 owing to complaints from counsel to the accused persons, Dr. Peter Odili, Dr. Abiye Sekibo and others, who claimed they were not served the witness memo to enable them get acquainted with the allegations raised by the witness.
Justice Eso, however, charged the commission’s counsel, Chima Boms, to ensure that all parties mentioned in a case are served copies of the various memos before coming for hearing. Justice Eso, however, adjourned till Monday when other witnesses like former Rivers State Governor, Rufus Ada- George, Chief Horsefall are expected to testify before the commission.