By Austin Ogwuda, Enugu
ENUGU — National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, yesterday, commenced a two-day public inquiry into the petition filed against some state governments within the South East zone over alleged abuse of human rights, unwarranted demolitions and seizures of people’s homes and lands.

At the inaugural sitting at the Federal High Court Enugu, Mr. Chibueze Okorie, counsel to Ogoni forced eviction victims against the Rivers State Government and four others, applied for an interim order to stop the Rivers State government from continuing further development in their alleged seized land being converted to a banana factory by an investor.

It was filed pursuant to Order 67 of the Standing Orders and Rules of Procedure of the National Human Rights Commission 2013 and Section 5 (J) of the National Human Rights Commission Act, 1995 (as Amended).

Ogoni Solidarity Forum is among the complainants.

That application, however, suffered a temporary set-back as the Attorney General of the Rivers State government, opposed it on ground of jurisdiction due to the fact that a similar issue was pending in other courts.

After arguments by the parties, the three-man Commission headed by Dr. Chidi Odinkalu, called on the counsel to the parities to harmonize their papers and avoid too much of technicalities to move forward.

He reminded them that justice delayed was justice denied and adjourned hearing  to be held in Port Harcourt at a later date to be communicated to parties.