Uyo Reigners Bible church collapse: Panel of enquiry sits today

BY ESHIET MOSES & KOKOETTE UDOM

The inauguration of the panel of enquiry which is duty bound to find out the reasons behind the collapse of Reigners Bible church was held on Wednesday 28th, December 2016 at Akwa Ibom State Judiciary Headquarters. 

It could be recalled that a fortnight ago, The Reigners Bible church building along Uyo village road collapsed during the botched bishopric ordination of the founder of the church, Apostle Akan Weeks; leaving many victims dead while others sustained injuries of various degrees. Resulting from this, Akwa Ibom State Government has set up a panel of enquiry with the mandate to ascertain the immediate and remote causes of the Reigners Bible Church collapsed building.    

The panel which its inauguration was conducted by the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Uwemedimo Nwoko has Justice Umoekeyo Essang, as Chairman, with Engr. James Utiaruk; Arc. Essien Nkanga; Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP Abibo; Prophet John Linus; Engr. Asuquo Okon and Engr. James Amiang, as members, while Mrs. Emem Victor Daniel of the Ministry of Justice, Uyo, would serve as Secretary.

In his acceptance speech, the chairman of the panel, Justice Umo Essang Rtd reiterated the commitment of his committee to bring the culprit to book. He further stated that his committee is poised to ensure that justice and equity reigns without any prejudice irrespective of the people involved. Justice Essang also admonished families of those that loss their lives during the incident to remain calm as the rationale behind the ugly incident will soon be unveil and any one who had a hand in the catastrophic event would be dealt with within the ambience of law. Also, Justice Essang stated that the wrath of law will soon fall upon the culprits of that happening without fear or favour. To this end, he urged all members of the committee to arise and be indefatigable towards the task ahead of them. 

According to a source(name withheld), the collapsed building of Reigners Bible Church has hidden secrets, citizens of the state are deprived of the exact number of those that died as a result of the phenomenon and also, the incident has unanswered questions. The panel of enquiry should do everything within it’s might to reveal every secrets about  the collapsed  building of Reigners  Bibl e  Church. The panel should  put into considerations the dead victims and those sustaining injuries so as to bring justice to order. 

The next sitting of the panel has been scheduled for January 3rd, 2017 still at the State Judiciary Headquarters by 10:00am.