*Community Representatives failed to attend Investigative public hearing at Govt Annex Warri
By UTEBOR PETER, Asaba
The Members of the House Committee on Defence of the House of Representatives arrived Delta State ahead of Friday’s investigative public hearing on the killing of 17 soldiers and destruction of Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.
The committee also said they are soliciting and begging, calling for memorandum, adding that they will visit the locus in quo , invite the military to give account of what happened in Okuama community. And they will need to be armed with information.
“We had motion to be in Delta over the killing of 17 soldiers and the military actions in Okuama Community, Ughelli South Local Government Area of the state,” the committee said.
However, it was learnt that the probe panel could not hold again on Friday at the Government House Annex, Edjeba in Warri, as the community representatives failed to show up for alleged fear of being arrested by the military.
The committee said, “We had this motion on 19th of March and sequel to it we are in Delta State.”
Addressing journalist at the Government Annex, Ejeba in Warri South Local Government Area of the Delta State, the Chairman of the House committee on Defence of the 10th House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Babajimi Benson said, “You are aware we met with the governor, we told him our schedule, part of it was to meet with him get consultations.
“The other part is to come here in Warri, see members of the communities in camera and by way of memorandum and all that.
“We have received a lot of.memoranda. But they have not turned up physically. The window will be opened for a week. for.more memorandum.
“We.have.assured the governor and all that the matter will get proper attention, brought to a logical conclusion to get a final closure.”
When asked what is the committee doing to enjoy the trust of the communities.
The Chairman of the committee said, “We are asking them to send memoranda and they complied. We have told them that if you don’t want to turn up physically just send your memorandum. Memorandum receipt will end by Friday. Ours is to look at both side, offer recommendations so that no party is victimized.
“We have made the address( contact) of the National Assembly, they should submit to the Clerk at his office. If need be for us to come back for any issue we will do.
“We have dedicated our time to ensure justice is done and seen to be done. We want to ensure that justice is done, whereby people can go back to their community, resume their livelihood.
“We need to first be fully armed with what is going on that is why we are soliciting and begging, calling for memorandum, we will visit the locus in quo , invite the military to give account of what happened there. But we will need to be armed with information.” Committee added
On their part, representatives of the communities refused to show up for fear of being arrested by the Nigeria Military
