The Anambra Truth, Justice and Peace Commission (ATJPC) is set to hold a crucial meeting with security chiefs on Thursday. This meeting is part of the ongoing public hearing that seeks to gather testimonies on the pressing issues of insecurity, violence, and violence-related deaths from various communities and stakeholders.
In a press briefing held in Awka, the state capital, Professor Chidi Odinkalu, the Chairman of the Commission, announced that the second phase of the public hearing will take place from October 26 to November 3, 2023. He stated, “It will also provide concerned members of the public who have submitted petitions to the Commission the opportunity to testify before the Commission.”
As a Professor of Law and a former chairman of the Nigerian Human Rights Commission, Odinkalu emphasized that the Commission aims to engage not only with security chiefs but also with traditional rulers, town union leaderships, market associations, and other relevant stakeholders. The Commission is committed to exploring all angles to address the pressing issues at hand.
During the first phase of the public hearing, conducted in June of 2023, the Commission considered 24 petitions in a span of just 10 days. It heard from more than 40 witnesses who testified on oath, representing 14 communities in Anambra state. The Commission did not overlook any piece of evidence and has now received over 170 exhibits related to the cases under investigation.
The establishment of the ATJPC came about in June 2022 when Governor Chukwuma Soludo, recognizing the urgent need to address the violent agitations and restiveness in the state and the Southeast, deemed it necessary to set up this commission. The ATJPC is equipped with the powers and mandate to inquire into and find solutions to these pressing challenges.
With this upcoming meeting with security chiefs, the ATJPC aims to gather more valuable insights and information necessary to address the root causes of insecurity and violence in Anambra State. By engaging a wide range of perspectives and stakeholders, the commission is determined to provide lasting solutions and restore peace and security to the state.
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