Judicial Panel: It’s A Boobytrap To While Away Time – Delta ex-Attorney-General

A former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Delta State, Chief Victor Otomewo, has described the judicial panel of Inquiry ordered to be set up by the Federal Government at the wake of the #EndSARS protest, as a boobytrap designed to buy time.

He spoke at the maiden sitting of the Delta State Judicial Panel of Inquiry in Warri, commercial nerve centre of the state while addressing newsmen on Monday.

BIGPENNGR.COM reports the panel’s sitting was rowdy following arguments and counter-arguments over the propriety of cases brought before the panel.

It was learnt that some lawyers had tried to smuggled in cases that are before competent court of jurisdiction for the panel to try but were ruled out by the panel’s chairman who cite sub-judice as her reason.

Otomewo said; “The calibre of those presiding over the panel is not in doubt, particularly the presiding judge.

“She’s a judge of repute and integrity. But unfortunately, she has been given a job in which they gave her a very big field to clear with no cutlass, no equipment.

“Those who set up the panel know it is a boobytrap just to while away time, remove the attention of the people from the real issue. At the end of the day, I can tell you, nothing will come out of it.

“They will make their recommendations beautifully for the government to implement it.

“The judge has done wonderfully based on her perception and understanding of the law. Unfortunately, we are not in agreement with that and that’s natural.

“My advice is let’s continue to waste time here. In the end, nothing will happen,” the legal luminary reiterated.

Meanwhile, some lawyers, who sent in memo on behest of their clients, had argued that the judicial panel must hear their cases said to be pending in courts and recommendations made to the government where necessary.

However, in her response the judicial panel, led by Justice Celestina Ogisi (rtd), noted that hearing such cases pending in courts of competent jurisdiction was sub-judice.

“You don’t discuss it let alone hear it. I will never be a party to deceiving anybody,” Justice Ogisi quipped, but later adjourned all pending matters in courts to Wednesday for a final decision.