The Commission of Inquiry into the politically-motivated violence and killings in Rivers State began its sitting on Monday in Port Harcourt, despite an order of the Federal High Court stopping it from sitting.

Justice Hyeladzira Ajiya Nganjiwa of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt had on April 30, 2015, in a suit no: FHC/PH/FHR/256/2015 filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) given an order restraining the ‘Respondents’ from taking further steps in connection with the sitting of the Commission of Inquiry instituted by the 10th Respondent (Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi), pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.

He adjourned the matter for today, Wednesday, May 6, 2015, for hearing of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.

However, speaking at the inaugural sitting of the Commission of Inquiry held at the Obi Wali Convention Centre, Port Harcourt, the chairman, Professor Chidi Anselem Odinkalu, said no member has received any court order restraining it from sitting.

Odinkalu, who is also the chairman of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), said the panel has received no fewer than 30 memoranda from members of the public, pointing out that it would be fair and transparent to all concerned.