PDP sues Amaechi over commission of inquiry

Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has sued Governor Chibuike Amaechi and others over the recently constituted commission of inquiry on politically motivated killings in the state, saying it is unconstitutional and in violation of the principles of natural justice.
The party in suit no: FHC/PH/FHR/256/2015 also wants the court to declare that by virtue of the provisions of Section 214 of the 1999 constitution as amended and Section 4 of the Police Act, the power to investigate allegations of crime, including politically motivated killings is vested in the police .
Respondents in the suit are: chairman of the commission, Professor Chidi Odinkalu, the nine other members, Governor Chibuike Amaechi, Attorney General of the state,  Inspector General of Police and the state commissioner of police.
The party further urged the court to restrain the commission or its members from investigating  politically motivated killings, insisting among other things that  it is the  responsibility of the police to investigate such.
Counsel to the party, Mr Benjamin Eke,  also alleged that the first respondent, who is Chairman of the Commission of Inquiry, Prof Odinkalu,  is not capable of heading  the body “because he already has foreknowledge of the subject matter, having  heard allegations and counter allegations of the various parties in the state relating to political violence and killings in his capacity as Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission.  He cannot undertake the task of presiding as chairman of the commission with neutrality and impartiality necessary as an arbiter”.
Eke said the second respondent, Sir Samuel Egbe, was also not fit to be a member of the commission, “because he was appointed Permanent Secretary in the state civil service by Governor Amaechi”, adding that the sixth respondent, Mrs Asivosuo Oriye, is an employee of the state Ministry of Justice under the supervision and control of the governor and the Attorney General of the state.
Respondents in the suit are: chairman of the commission, Professor Chidi Odinkalu, the nine other members, Governor Chibuike Amaechi, Attorney General of the state,  Inspector General of Police and the state commissioner of police.
The party further urged the court to restrain the commission or its members from investigating  politically motivated killings, insisting among other things that  it is the  responsibility of the police to investigate such.