A lawyer and rights activist, Abdul Mahmud has urged the new Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Soludo to order the release of the Report/white paper of the Judicial Commission set up to probe the discovery of dead bodies on the infamous Ezu River in 2012.
Mahmud made the appeal in an open letter addressed to the governor and shared on Twitter on Friday.
He said that the release of the report/white paper would not only give closure to the families of those that have been wrongfully killed and dumped but further prove that the governor appreciates the connection between citizens/human rights and economic growth and progress.
Mahmud wrote, “Dear HE, Prof @CCSoludo, first, my congratulations on your assumption of office as Governor of Anambra State.
Sir, I’ve chosen to tweet two issues, which I’m pretty sure you’d be interested in, considering your recent visit to a prison in your state.
“I’d preface both issues with reference to the nexus between citizens/human rights and economic growth and progress. I know that as an economist, you’re familiar with this connection. I’m glad you’ve taken steps to highlight the place of justice administration in your government.
“Now to the two issues: (1) The Ezu River Incident 2012; (2) Awkuzu SARS & Anambra State Judicial Panel of Inquiry on #Endsars 2021.
“I begin with the first. Following discovery of 19 bodies (Senate/Police/Anambra State government figure) or 35 bodies ( by Amansea community/NGOs), an Investigative Panel was set up by the Senate chaired by Senator Nwagu. A judicial panel was also set up by Anambra State government. The Senate Panel never concluded its investigation. The Anambra Judicial Panel Report and White Paper were never released by Anambra State Govt.
“This is what is public. Bodies found in Ezu River were remains of MASSOB activists and detainees at SARS cells in Neni and Awkuzu who were extrajudicially killed by SARS under the supervision of James Nwafor and execution of Celestine Ani, Onyelouka Ofunanya and Uzo Okpenye.
“The dead on Ezu River deserve justice. Nine years on, Nigerians need to know the truth. I humbly request that you use your good offices to release the Report/white paper of the Judicial Commission on Ezu River. Or have a New Judicial Commission on Ezu River empanelled
“Nigerians need to know what happened: 1. Basil Ogbu, 2. Michael Ogwa, 3. Sunday Omogo, 4. Philip Nwankpa, 5. Eze Ndubuisi, 6. Ebuka Eze, 7. Obinna Ofor, 8. Joseph Udoh, 9. Uchechukwu Ejiofor.
“The above-named were murdered by SARS, dumped on Ezu River, buried on the order of Governor of Anambra State without pathologists examination.
“Nigerians deserve to know what happened in Ezu River, Your Excellency.”
Mahmud added, “On the second issue, you’d recall, Sir, that your predecessor, Governor Obiano, empanelled the Anambra State Judicial Panel on #Endsars late 2020. Till this moment, the Panel hasn’t submitted its Report. This is in spite of the allegations that it didn’t hear several petitions.
“Your Excellency, I humbly urge that you call up the Panel to either submit its Report or dissolve it. As you are aware, the resignation of youths representatives on the panel before the completion of its sittings poorly interrogates the integrity of the Panel.
“Finally, as we move towards the Easter, I humbly urge, HE, to call up records of awaiting trial mates and convicts who passed through Neni and Awkuzu SARS between 2011 and 2019 and grant them prerogative of mercy, pursuant to your power under S.212 of the CFRN 1999.
“You’ll be doing a lot to lift families whose sons and daughters were unjustifiably arrested, survived SARS, and are today languishing in prison.
“You’ll help the memories of victims who were murdered and buried in the ground of Awkuzu SARS
“You’ve a duty today to ensure that SARS Awkuzu is closed down and the premises properly examined by pathologists and archaeologists for human remains.
“You owe Ndi Anambra that duty today.
“Please, in the spirit of the Easter, grant mercy to Ndi Anambra who are languishing in prison for offences they never truly committed.”
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