By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, has announced the appointment of a 15-man Truth, Justice and Peace Committee.

The members which include maverick musician, Charles Oputa as a member also have former Ambassador to Spain, Bianca Ojukwu as the secretary and Prof Chidi Odinkalu as Chairman.

Other members include, Dr. Joe Nwaorgu, Dr. Udenta Udenta, Dr. Uju Agomoh, Rev. Fr (Msgnr) Jerome Madueke, Canon Dr. Okechukwu C. Obi-Okoye, Dr. John Otu, Mr. Ngozi Odumuko.

Also on the list are sultry voice musician/broadcaster, Ms Onyeka Onwenu, Dr. Joe Abah, Mr. Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu, Mr. Sam Egwuatu, Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu.

A statement issued in Awka on Wednesday by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof Solo Chukwudobelu, said that the purpose of the Committee on Truth, Justice, and Peace is to seek a restorative justice approach for truth-telling or real facts, for the healing of the victims of the violence, accounting for responsibility and accountability of the actors.

It also include conditional mercy for the repentant perpetrators, restitution for certain losses and rehabilitation of the perpetrators, for the overall aim of restoration of peace and justice as well as the promotion of development in the state, and the region/Nigeria.

The statement reads in part: “Given the cross-border nature of the conflict, the focus goes beyond Anambra, and possibly covers the entire Southeast.

"Specifically, the Terms of Reference for the Committee are, To identify the remote and immediate causes of the agitations, restiveness, violence, and armed struggle in the South East since 1999.

“Document victims/circumstances of death, brutality and incarceration. Identify stakeholders and groups who have played critical roles in the agitations and conflicts, their roles, capabilities and demands.

“Address any other issue(s) that may be germane to unravelling the extent of the crisis and charting the roadmap for the future.

“Make recommendations for sustainable peace and security in Anambra state/Southeast.”

The statement further said that the Committee shall have a direct reporting line to the Governor or his designee, and will be provided with administrative support.

While noting that the Committee shall be free to draw up the methodology to accomplish its assignment, it gave a working time frame of six months starting from the date of inauguration.

“With its preliminary report due no later than 2 months after the sunset and the final report after 2 months of receiving feedback on the preliminary report from the government. The Committee shall be inaugurated on a date to be communicated to its members,” the statement added.

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