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The Human Rights Violations Investigation Commission (HRVIC) now sitting in Port Harcourt is scheduled to visit Ogoniland in Rivers State on Friday next week with a view to assessing the extent of human rights abuse, allegedly inflicted on the people. The panel has already summoned oil giant, Chevron Nigeria Ltd.

over the alleged murder of a tax consultant and Chairman of the Ughorodo (Escravos) Community Trust in Warri, Mr. Samuel Metseagharun, but declined to invite immediate past military Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar and former Chief of General Staff (CGS), Vice-Admiral Mike Akhigbe in respect of a petition by one Lt.-Commander Titus Esan (rtd.). He alleged that his retirement was because of his anti-corruption stance. Chairman of the commission, Justice Chukwudifu Oputa said yesterday, that he would visit Ogoniland after listening to the consolidated petitions filed by the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) on Wednesday and Thursday next week.

The visit, he said would "enable the commission make appropriate recommendations to the Federal Government.

Meanwhile, the threat by the Ogonis to boycott the sitting of the Justice Oputa commission has been shelved. Efforts are on by MOSOP faction leaders, including Ledum Mitee to close ranks with a view to presenting credible memorandum to the commission from next week Wednesday. A petition by the son of the late environmental activist, Kenule Saro-Wiwa has been slated for hearing Tuesday.

Former Chief of General Staff (CGS), Lt.-Gen. Oladipo Diya has also been summoned to give evidence in respect of the petition. Also yesterday, Justice Oputa summoned Chevron (Nig.) Limited over alleged murder of a tax consultant and chairman of the reconstituted Ugborodo (Escravos) Community Trust in Warri, Mr. Samuel Anunu Kpoli Metseagharun. The commission chairman issued the summon following a petition by the deceased's family indicting the oil company.

Testifying before the commission yesterday, for the family, Dr. Temi Metseagharun led by her lawyer admitted that part of the substance of her pending petition before the commission was subjudice since the matter was already in court. She, however, said Chevron, which allegedly encouraged those who murdered the late Ugborodo Community Chairman was neither a party to the suit before the court nor was it properly investigated by the police.

"My lord, while I admit that party of the substance of my petition is subjudice, since it is pending in court, I will want to direct the attention of the commission to the biggest oil company in the Escravos, Chevron (Nig.) Limited which had also played major roles in supporting members of a syndicate that murdered late Metseagharun."

"There is sufficient evidence against Chevron (Nig.) Limited which we entreat this panel to look into. For example, the recent payment of about N135 million to one Mr.

Williams Ejuetami and Benjamin Maku, Lagos-based Ugborodo indigenes, who are parallel Ugborodo Community Trust leaders. If there is doubt as to who to pay compensate to, Chevron ought to have paid to the registered trustees of the Ugborodo Community Trust and not to people assisted into a lawless committee by these suspects and their supporters.

"By such fraudulent payment of monies by Chevron to these syndicates and their benefactors, the suspects now have confidence that they are in control, as at other times after any crime, chiefly murder and assault."

The petitioner explained that the late Samuel Metseagharun was appointed Chairman of the reconstituted Ugborodo (Escravos) Community Trust in July 1998 when the erstwhile management of the trust led by one Mr. Sandy Omadeli-Uvwoh was sacked over allegations of corruption and mismanagement of funds. The deceased was to represent all the communities in the Escravos before the government and oil companies operating in the area. He was also to collect all monies due to the community by way of compensation, development level and a host of others. But the trust management, which was sacked before his, was allegedly not happy with the development and consequently organised some miscreants to attack late Mr. Metseagharun in Warri. According to Dr. Temi, he was beaten to death by his attackers in the full glare of their alleged sponsors, Mr. Omadeli- Uvwoh said to be supported by Chevron (Nig.) Ltd.

Panel declines to invite Abubakar, Akhigbe

Meanwhile, Justice Chukwudifu Oputa was yesterday reluctant to summon former Chief of General Staff (CGS) during the regime of Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, Admiral Mike Akhigbe whose name was specifically mentioned by a petitioner as one of those that ruined the military and the nation while in service. The commission chairman who preferred to defer the summon of the retired naval boss as requested by a Lagos lawyer, Mr. Festus Keyamo until the petitioner, Lt.- Commander Titus Olabode Esan was cross-examined by the navy counsel, said: "Hold it counsel. If after cross-examination, we feel it is necessary to invite him personally, the summon will be issued.

"But as it is, we don't need to summon him (Abubakar). Since navy has been represented before this commission, it is assumed that he is also represented," he added.