By Dorcas Elusogbon
The Judicial Panel of Inquiry set up by Osun State Government to look into the disturbance to peace at Sabo Area, Ile-Ife, has treated 285 out of 406 memoranda.
The Chairman of the panel, Justice Moshood Adeigbe, made the disclosure when the team paid a visit to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye ogunwusi, in his Palace, on Friday in Ile-Ife.
Adeigbe said that 121complainants refused to show up to defend their complaints, adding that 4 memoranda were later received today.
Adeigbe lauded the Ooni and members of Ife Central working committee for the peaceful period they had in Ile-Ife.
The President Ife Progressive Council, Mr Olajiire Awowoyin, on behalf of the committee, expressed his satisfaction on the way and manner the panel handled the case.
The Secretary of the panel, Bisi Babalola, said the crisis was not an ethic clash, saying the panel rounded up its sitting today, Friday, adding that the comprehensive report would be released soon.
In his remarks, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Ogunwusi, who was represented by his Obalufe of Ife Kingdom, Oba Idowu Adediwura, commended the team for the effective work done and prayed for their success in all ramifications.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the panel started sitting on April 19.
The clash between the Yoruba and Hausa communities in Sabo area of Ile-Ife in March witnessed the death of some people and destruction to property.
Immediately after the violence, leaders of Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo indigenes residing in Ile-Ife, called for an end to ethnic clashes in the ancient city.
They spoke at a news conference organised by the Ife Progressive Forum/Action Council in Ile-Ife.
The Seriki Hausawa of Ife, Abubakar Madagali, said the disturbance which momentarily eroded the peace of the ancient city was unnecessary.
Madagali said many of his subjects suffered colossal losses, adding that some had died and many more sustained injuries.
The leader of the Hausa community said authorities concerned must step up efforts to resolve the crisis without delay.
He added that “we initially came here to seek for greener pastures, but Ife has now become our home.
“It latest crisis was not a clash between us and the Yorubas, instead, it was a misunderstanding between some persons.”
But the government set up the inquiry to find a lasting solution to violence in the ancient city. (NAN)
