OMBATSE KILLINGS: COMMISSION OF INQUIRY INDICTS SENATOR, REP MEMBER

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By Ayomide Oriade

solomon ewuga

The Nasarawa State Commission of Inquiry on the Ombatse killings has indicted Senator Solomon Ewuga, as well as Haruna Kigbu, a House of Representative member for their involvement in the activities of the group which killed over 60 police officers and 10 officials of the State Security Service at Alakyo Village on May 7, 2013. The commission also blamed the state government for not proscribing the Ombatse militia.

The commission in its report recommended immediate prosecution of senator, Solomon Ewuga, representing Nasarawa North Senatorial District, saying it discovered that the senator and other notable Eggon elders are financiers and promoters of the Ombatse militia.

Also recommended for prosecution is Nathaniel Mesa, a Nasarawa House of Assembly member representing Lafia North constituency. The Commission recommendation reads in part:  “ All persons on the stated list who appeared before the Commission whether as summoned witnesses or memoranda witnesses and intentionally gave false evidence on oath before the Commission should be prosecuted forthwith under Section 158(1) of the Penal Code Law (as applicable in Nasarawa State)”.

“Their false testimonies were calculated to misdirect the Commission and prevent it from making proper findings on its Terms of Reference. The law qualifies such false evidence as an act to pervert the cause
of justice”.

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“For the avoidance of doubt, the Commission is particularly recommending the following persons for immediate prosecution under the section given the high social standing of the persons who are least expected to misdirect the cause of justice: Senator Solomon Sunday Akku Ewuga, Hon. Dr. Haruna Joseph Kigbu, Hon. Nathaniel Agyo Mesa,”

Blaming the state for allowing the activities of the militia in its domain, the commission stated in the report that “Due to lax enforcement of the law by the relevant component units of the State’s criminal justice system, namely, the law enforcement agencies (especially the police), the Ministry of Justice and the Courts, obvious perpetrators of violence have been left unencumbered and emboldened to remain what they are”