Ombatse Massacre: Witnesses to Testify Before Nasarawa Commission

No fewer than 50 witnesses are to testify for various communities and individuals before the Retired Justice Fola Gbadeyan-led Judicial commission of Inquiry into the killing of security operatives in Alakyo village by suspected Ombatse militia on May 7.

gov_aliyu_682457562As at the inaugural sitting on July 18, the number of memoranda before the commission had increased from 19 to 22. Witnesses would testify from July 23 to August 15.

The Iggah community in Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area of the State has seven witnesses, the highest number; the Eggon community in B.A.D area of Lafia has six; the Hausa community in Bassa has 5 witnesses; and Migili traditional council in Agyaragu area of Obi Local Government Area has one.

Out of the number of memoranda, 18 were from communities and state agencies with the Nasarawa State government, the Police and State Security Service, SSS, submitting one each. A member of the State house of assembly submitted one.

Mr. Gbadeyan urged all counsels to prepare adequately having gotten their respective dates of appearance and avoid foot dragging.

“The commission would not tolerate playing to the gallery, no foot dragging; once you are called upon, go straight to the point in order for us to finish our assignment in due time,” Mr. Gbadeyan said.

The counsels to the Nasarawa State Government and the SSS were however absent at their allotted call-over session. When contacted via phone, the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Innocent Lagi, explained that the counsel engaged to represent the state government at the commission had a flight delay from Lagos to Abuja.

The commission has fixed August 14 and 15 for the presentation of memo and testimony of witnesses from the SSS and Nasarawa government respectively.

The commission’s activities continue on Tuesday with the commencement of hearing of witnesses.