WRITTEN BY EJIKE ABANA
The Chairman of the Panel of Enquiry into the Abagana, Ukpo and Enugwu-Ukwu Crisis, Retired Justice Kalagine Anagbogu has called for the continued cooperation of affected communities to achieve the desired result.

Justice Anagbogu stated this at the second public sitting of the Panel at the Conference Hall of the Government House, Awka.

So far, all relevant documents are yet to be submitted to the panel by the affected Communities and six maps have been submitted.

Counter affidavit filled by Ukpo was admitted as well as other documents filled by Abagana.

Counsels to Abagana and Ukpo Communities have equally appeared before the Panel and cross examined.

The Traditional Rulers of the three Communities, Igwe Ralph Ekpe, Igwe Mbamalu Okeke and Igwe Robert Eze, as well as Community Chiefs were in attendance to witness the proceeding.

According to Justice Anagbogu, the sitting has been in a friendly atmosphere, saying that from the foregoing, the Communities which had been living together will eventual settle their land differences.

While pointing out that the State government is desirous to finding lasting solution to the challenge, he reiterated the importance of their restraining themselves from making inflammatory statements, casting doubt and aspersions, public statements, granting press conferences among others, to inhibit sending wrong signals.

He added that if anyone has facts to present, it should be done before the panel without fear, expressing optimism that Communities in the State would learn from the submissions of the panel.

Felix Ogbuagu, Counsel to Abagana said that going by the memoranda submitted by Ukpo Community, only one point exists in it and that there is a motion pending in the Court of appeal, contrary to what was said that no court action was taken by them.

He prayed the Panel to do the needful in driving the peace process through.

In his submission, Counsel to Ukpo Community, Chief IM Ana, recommended that anyone or Community that wants Ukpo not to be the owner of the land according to the 2011 judgement, should go to the Court as against taking laws into their hands by any means, noting that the law should be followed.

Speaking to the ABS, the Traditional Rulers, expressed appreciation about the peaceful disposition of the members of the panel, hoping that it would continue to be so.

It will be recalled that State government recently set up a nine member Committee with a seven point terms of reference to look into the immediate and remote causes of the crisis and how it will be addressed, at the end of which recommendations would be made to the government by the Panel, as well as how it will be of help to other Communities of the State.

The Panel adjourned sitting to today