By Yemi Oyeyemi, Abuja
Basking in the euphoria of the Supreme Court judgment which dismissed former Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s suit on a N96 billion indictment, Rivers State Governor, Nyemsom Wike, has said that the coast is clear for elders of the state to determine the fate of the former governor.
Wike asserted that as a person, he would not take any action on the report of Justice George Omekeji Commission of Inquiry which indicted Amaechi for alleged massive fraud without the direction of Rivers leaders.
But Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi claimed that the Friday judgment of the Supreme Court on the matter has vindicated him.
Amaechi, one of the leading presidential aspirants on the platform of the All Progressive Congress APC said that his stance on the report of the panel has been justified by the apex court’s decision.
His position is contained in a statement by his media office which reads:”Nigeria’s apex court today ruled on the Appeal filed by Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi against the Rivers State Government on the Justice George Omereji Judicial Commission of Inquiry.
“The Supreme Court in dismissing the appeal pronounced that the function of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry was mere investigative, that nobody, neither Amaechi nor anyone else, was on trial before the panel.
“The Supreme Court ruling clearly vindicates the former Governor of Rivers State. The apex court was categorical and clear that Amaechi was not on trial.
“The implication of this is that any indictment from the commission is null and void and cannot stand.
“With this judgment, Amaechi has been vindicated and cleared him of all purported or alleged indictment by the Governor Wike’s Commission.
“It has been further settled that the decisions/recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry and subsequent White Paper issued by the State Government is not a conviction or indictment and cannot stand.
“From the onset, it was obvious to any discerning mind that the Commission was set up to embarrass, denigrate and humiliate Amaechi.
“The apex court’s judgment today, further buttressed this stance. A commission purportedly set up to investigate past financial transactions was actually a commission to personally witch-hunt Amaechi,” the statement said
But Wike in his reaction to the Friday judgment of the apex court, Wike, flanked by his political associates said the leaders of the state will meet to decide on the fate of Amaechi over the misappropriation of N96billion belonging to the State.
Wike thanked the judiciary for stabilizing the country’s democracy.
“If leaders of the State say we must prosecute the former governor and those indicted by the Commission of Inquiry, I will have no problem with that.
“By Monday, I will direct the Attorney General of the state to file charges against him (Amaechi) and others found culpable in the fraud once I receive elders advise to do that.
“I’m not being vindictive but at the same time, I have been vindicated.
It is for the leaders of the State to meet and decide on what next to do.
“There is nobody that sees the report and recommendation of the panel of Inquiry that will not cry for Rivers and its people
“Remember, Amaechi was not to be cleared by the Senate for ministerial appointment but a government that says it is fighting corruption pressured and he was cleared.
“I have to consult the leaders of the state on what next to do. If they say, prosecute them, on Monday, the Rivers Government will file charges against Amaechi and others” Wike stated.
“Imagine that the sum of $50million was paid to Sahara Energy Company that belongs to Tonye Cole, etc, Wike lamented.
Wike had, shortly after assuming office in 2015 constituted the Justice George Omeregi-led judicial commission of inquiry to probe the alleged sale of state assets by the immediate past administration led by Amaechi.
Amaechi challenged the decision of the governor at High Court of Rivers State in a suit marked: PHC/187/15.
In a judgment on August 20, 2015 Justice Simeon Amadi held among others that that the judicial commission of inquiry was not established to investigate the personal activities of the former governor, but set up to investigate the previous actions of the government as they affect the people of Rivers State.
On appeal, the Court of Appeal also expressed similar view, which was also reflected in the judgment of the Supreme Court on Friday.
