The Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo has set up a Truth, Justice and Peace Committee to dialogue with members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
This was contained in a press release signed by the Secretary to Anambra State Government, Prof. Solo Osita Chukwulobelu, dated March 5, 2022.
To that effect, Governor Soludo appointed Professor Chidi Odinkalu, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, ace musician, Dr. Joe Nwaorgu, Mr. Charles Oputa (Charly Boy), Lady Onyeka Onwenu, others in the proposed talks.
According to the statement, Professor Odinkalu will be the chairman of the Committee while Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu will be the Secretary.
The statement entitled “Anambra State Government Sets Up a Truth, Justice and Peace Committee“, reads:
“Anambra State Government has sets up a Truth, Justice and Peace Committee.
“The members of the Committee are as follows:
1. Professor Chidi Odinkalu-Chairman
2. HE Amb. Bianca Ojukwu-Member / Secretary
3. Dr. Joe Nwaorgu
4. Dr. Udenta Udenta – Member
5. Dr. Uju Agomoh — Member
6. Rev. Fr (Msgnr) Jerome Madueke
7. Canon Dr. Okechukwu C. Obi-Okoye
8. Mr. Charles Oputa (Charly Boy)
9. Dr. John Otu
10. Mr. Ngozi Odumuko
11. Ms Onyeka Onwenu
12. Dr. Joe Abah
13. Mr. Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu
14. Mr. Sam Egwuatu
15. Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu
The Purpose/Terms of Reference of the Committee
“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, 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.
“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”
1. To identify the remote and immediate causes of the agitations, restiveness, violence, and armed struggle in the South East since 1999.
2. Document victims/circumstances of death, brutality and incarceration.
3. Identify stakeholders and groups who have played critical roles in the agitations and conflicts, their roles, capabilities and demands.
4. Address any other issue(s) that may be germane to unravelling the extent of the crisis and charting the roadmap for the future.
5. Make recommendations for sustainable peace and security in Anambra state/Southeast.
“The Committee shall have a direct reporting line to the Governor or his designee, and will be provided with administrative support. The Committee shall be free to draw up the methodology to accomplish its assignment.
Time Frame:
“The Committee shall conclude its work no later than 6 months from its 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.”