BY OLA AJAYI

IBADAN – THE judicial commission of enquiry set up by Governor Abiola Ajimobi to investigate  bloody clashes between factions of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, which claimed several lives, yesterday said it would step on toes in the course of its assignment.

Chairman of the commission, Justice Olagoke Ige (rtd) appealed to residents of the state to summit memoranda within two weeks to enable it  panel meet up with the two months deadline given to it.

Justice Ige said the commission was not interested in arresting or prosecuting anybody but that all those invited should appear before it or send their counsels to represent them.

The panel chairman at the inaugural sitting assured the people  that the outcome of its activities, if implemented, would put a stop to the senseless mayhem between factions of the union in the state.

Justice Ige said, “in going about our business, we will step on toes. Enough is enough. It needs to be stressed that the commission will not witch-hunt anyone but will give fair hearing”.

He noted that it was not necessary that the two factional leaders of the union appear physically before the panel and warned counsel who may appear on behalf of their clients not to ask for unnecessary adjournments as the panel was not a trial court.

According to him, the commission was not empowered to arrest or detain anybody, so lawyers should not ask for adjournments and stand down or raise any legal objections on the issue of admissibility of oral or documentary evidence.

Similarly, the state House of Assembly began its sitting yesterday and was presided over by the speaker, Monsurat Sunmonu. The House deliberated on the NURTW crisis and commended Governor Abiola Ajimobi on the steps taken so far.