publications

Recommendations

To the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

  • Launch an independent public inquiry that includes credible and prominent civil society participation into the root causes of violence in Rivers State. The inquiry should seek to establish:
    • The links between Rivers State politicians (including former governors Celestine Omehia and Peter Odili) and criminal activity, including sponsorship of criminal gangs and organized criminal activities such as oil bunkering.
    • The source of gangs’ arms and ammunition.
    • The relationship between the Nigerian police and gang leaders.
    • The problem of impunity, in particular the long-term failure of the police to effectively combat gang and cult violence, protect state residents from gang abuses, or apprehend leading perpetrators and sponsors of violence, including Soboma George, Ateke Tom, and other prominent gang leaders.
  • Order the police to launch criminal investigations into all politicians linked through this inquiry to gang violence in Rivers State , with a view to supporting prosecutions where the evidence warrants.
  • Urgently revitalize President Yar’Adua’s high-profile peace initiative for the Niger Delta, which has thus far failed to achieve any meaningful progress toward its objectives. This effort should include dialogue among governments at all levels, civil society, affected communities, and other stakeholders. Gang leaders and others most responsible for fomenting violence should not benefit financially or enjoy impunity through the process.
  • Relevant committees in the Senate and House of Representatives, including the committees on Police Affairs, Human Rights, and the Niger Delta, should conduct hearings into the failure of government policies and police actions aimed at curbing violence and corruption in the Niger Delta.

To the Joint Task Force

  • Support and work to initiate a comprehensive independent investigation into all credible allegations of abuses committed by JTF personnel in Rivers State, and hold those implicated in abuses to account through disciplinary proceedings and criminal prosecutions.
  • Establish effective channels for residents to report incidents of abuse carried out by JTF personnel, and ensure that each is followed up with transparent and credible investigations by a body independent of the JTF. The existing telephone “hotline” is entirely inadequate and largely unknown to citizens of the state.
  • Maintain the JTF presence on the streets of Port Harcourt and Ogbogoro until residents can be reasonably assured that there is no further risk of serious gang violence in the absence of JTF personnel. 

To the Rivers State Government

  • Ensure that local government elections now expected for March 29, 2008 are free, fair, and nonviolent.
  • Suspend from office all high-ranking government appointees credibly linked to sponsorship of criminal gangs, pending full and transparent investigation of those allegations.

To The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)

  • In the event that ongoing investigations into allegations of corruption against former Rivers State governor Peter Odili do not result in criminal prosecution, publicly explain the reasons for that decision.
  • Investigate the financial conduct of other individuals credibly implicated in serious corruption in Rivers State, including Gabriel Pidomson, Kenneth Kobani, Celestine Omehia, and Abie Sekibo.

To the Nigerian Police

  • Initiate criminal investigations into the activities of Rivers State politicians and public officials linked to the activities of criminal gangs.

To Nigeria’s Foreign Partners

  • Call upon Nigeria’s federal government to undertake thorough criminal investigations and, as warranted, prosecutions of all current and former Rivers State government officials linked to armed gangs in Rivers State or implicated in serious corruption.
  • Continue supporting ongoing initiatives aimed at improving the accountability and effectiveness of Nigeria’s police force.