Ombatse militia challenges panel of enquries

The judicial commission of inquiry set up to probe the killings of security officers in Alakyo village in Nasarawa state, north central Nigeria, has begun sitting but its legality has been called to question.

Counsel to the Ombatse militia, accused of carrying out the killings, Zakaria Alumaga, has challenged the powers of the commission to probe it.

Mr Alumaga faulted the leadership of the commission which was inaugurated in May, based on the penal code which was used to outlaw the group.

He raised a preliminary objection to enable the commission decide “whether it was competent to adjudicate on some of the provisions contained in its terms of reference as regards the alleged proscription of the group by the Nasarawa state Government in 2012.”

But the state government has dismissed the objection as the State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Innocent Lagi, said “the commission is all about fact finding and not a Commission for legal interpretations.”

He added that the commission will not be deterred by dissenting voices to its duties and it will continue with its mandate.

The Nigeria Police is expected to make its presentation on August 6th, the State Security Service will make its presentation on August 14thand the Nasarawa state government will be heard on August 15th.

Dozens of police officers were ambushed and allegedly massacred by suspected members of the Ombatse Militia Group in Alakyo village, on May 7.