Chukwudike Ndubeze, Awka
Anambra State Governor, Professor Charles Soludo, has named human rights activist and scholar, Professor Chidi Odinkalu, maverick entertainer and musician, Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, and Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, wife of Biafran hero, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, as members of Truth, Justice and Peace Committee in the state.
The Committee according to a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Professor Solo Chukwulobelu, will be chaired by the former Chairman, National Human Rights Commission, Professor Chidi Odinkalu.
Other members are: Dr. Joe Nwaorgu, Dr. Udenta Udenta, Dr. Uju Agomoh, Rev. Fr (Msgnr) Jerome Madueke, and Canon Dr. Okechukwu C. Obi-Okoye.
Dr. John Otu, Mr. Ngozi Odumuko, Ms Onyeka Onwenu, Dr. Joe Abah, Mr. Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu, Mr. Sam Egwuatu and Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu were also named as members of the committee.
According to the statement obtained by Ikengaonline, the Committee will “seek a restorative justice approach for truth-telling or real facts, for the healing of the victims of the violence, accounting for responsibility and accountability of the actors.”
“It will also ensure conditional mercy for the repentant perpetrators, restitution for certain losses and rehabilitation of the perpetrators, for the overall aim of restoration of peace and justice as well as the promotion of development in the State, and the region/Nigeria.”
According to the terms of reference provided in the statement, the committee is expected to “identify the remote and immediate causes of the agitations, restiveness, violence, and armed struggle in the South-East since 1999.
“Document victims/circumstances of death, brutality and incarceration.
“Identify stakeholders and groups who have played critical roles in the agitations and conflicts, their roles, capabilities and demands.
“Address any other issue(s) that may be germane to unravelling the extent of the crisis and charting the roadmap for the future.
“Make recommendations for sustainable peace and security in Anambra state/Southeast.”
The statement revealed that the Committee “is expected to develop direct reporting line to the Governor or his designee for administrative support and shall be free to draw up methodology to accomplish its assignments.”
“While the committee awaits its official inauguration, it is expected to conclude its work no later than 6 months from its inauguration, with preliminary report due no later than 2 months after the sunset and the final report after 2 months of receiving feedback on the preliminary report from the government,” the statement noted.
