Osun peace commission receives 10 petitions at inaugural sitting

The Osun State Commission of Inquiry on Disturbance of Public Peace began its work after receiving 10 petitions involving disputes across the state.

The petitions cover chieftaincy matters, land disputes and other disagreements considered capable of disturbing public peace. Petitioners, respondents, lawyers and other interested parties attended the inaugural sitting at the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in the state secretariat at Abere.

The commission’s chairman, retired Justice Adekunle Adeigbe, said the body would act fairly and impartially. He stressed that it would not make the final decisions on the disputes. Its role, he said, is to investigate the issues and send its report and recommendations to the Osun State Executive Council for consideration and action.

Adeigbe urged the parties to trust the process and said every petitioner and respondent would receive a fair hearing. The commission secretary, Philips Afolayan, had invited members of the public, including lawyers and clients who submitted memoranda, rejoinders and replies, to attend the sitting.

Governor Ademola Adeleke previously established the commission to investigate disturbances of public peace as part of efforts to address recurring violence, killings and threats to communal harmony. At its inauguration, Adeleke urged members to act with courage, integrity and impartiality, rely on evidence and operate within the law.

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is to thoroughly investigate the issues presented and subsequently transmit its report and recommendations to the Osun State Executive Council for consideration and appropriate action.