EBUBEAGU DISBANDMENT: A Miscarriage Of Justice By Malice, Says Umahi
*Says Ebubeagu must continue operation in Ebonyi
*Swears in new judges
By Joyce Onuora, Abakaliki
Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State has insisted that Ebubeagu Security Network will continue its “legitimate” operations in the State inspite of Court’s injunction which ordered for the disbandment of the outfit.
Ebonyi State Government has expressed utter dissatisfaction over the recent judgment of the federal High Court which ordered the immediate disbandment of Ebubeagu in the state.
While describing the judgement as “a clear case of miscarriage of justice brought by malice”, Umahi insisted that the security which has reportedly killed many innocent indigenes, must continue its operations, in property the State.
“The judgement is a clear case of miscarriage of justice brought by malice. Therefore, Ebubeagu security outfit will continue to operate legitimately as it was properly established and enacted by the House of Assembly”, Umahi said.
The state government disclosed this at a joint press briefing by the Commissioner of Information and state orientation, Mr Uchenna Orji, the principal secretary, Emmanuel Obasi and the security consultant, Stanley Okoro Emegha, which took place at the old Government House, Abakaliki.
It will be recalled that Justice Fatun Riman had in his judgement disbanded the Ebubeagu security outfit , declared them unconstitutional, illegal, null and void, while called on the Nigeria Police and other security agencies to disarm Ebubeagu Operatives for over alleged human abuses, extortions, illegal arrest and use of fire arms .
Several cases of human rights abuse, especially extrajudicial killings of local residents have been traced to the outfit in Imo and Ebonyi.
However, following the alarming cases of brutality and extrajudicial killings, the Federal High in Abakaliki on Tuesday ordered that the outfit, which according to Ebonyians, has left residents in horror consequent on the recorded indiscriminate killings, ceases to exist, famousreporters.com reports confidently.
Other incidents as cited by the court were cases of human rights abuse, extortions, illegal arrests and use of firearms, among others.
However, the state government, in a press briefing through Barr. Uchenna Orji, and others, on Wednesday, described the judgement as biased, a miscarriage of justice by malice .
The State government said that the Ebubeagu security outfit was established by law 005 of 2021 of Ebonyi State and as such will continue to exist, and carry out its legitimate duties as stipulated under the law.
According to Orji: “That Federal High Court judgement is a miscarriage of justice brought about by malice on the side of the judge.
“It’s a judicial misapplication and misinterpretation, having regard to the principle of judicial and judicious decision. The judgement of Justice Fatun Riman is a miscarriage of justice that is dead on arrival” he stated.
He also stated that the Federal High Court judgement had been appealed and that the state would soon get a stay of execution.
Also speaking Security Consultant to the State, Chief Stanley Emegha who said that lives of the Ebonyians is in state government hand that they will not a bind by one man decision, because they have law backing Ebubeagu security outfit, which is established and enacted by House of Assembly.
He further noted that Ebubeagu must continue to do their legimate work, adding, “because it is constituted under the law
” Removing Ebubeagu is the hand work of opposition parties, let me advised you, that removing Ebubeagu will not make you to win election, if removing this security Agencies and people killed, who will going to vote for you ? “We are talking of Ebubeagu harassing, abuses, but nobody is talking about how they grumsomely murder Ebubeagu members, all this allegations against Ebubeagu are political motivated”
“All our billboard destroy by opposition party, nobody will say nothing but if APGA, LP and others destroy, they will accuse it to Ebubeagu .
“Government will not see bad thing committed by Ebubeagu and decide to keep silent, Ebubeagu members who committed crime are still in prison, we dont spell anyone who committed offence”
The Security Consultant, however, enumerated some of the achievements of the Ebubeagu security outfit says they work in tandem with other security agencies to safeguard lives and property of the citizenry noted that the court must have been hoodwinked to deliver such a judgement that is anti-people.
UMAHI EXONERATES EBUBEAGU FROM ALLEGED MURDER CASES
The Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi earlier has directed relevant Agencies to compile all data of Ebubeagu personnel so far killed in the State for necessary action.
Umahi disclosed this while thanking Senator Sonni Ogbuoji, the Chairman of commission enquiry set up to Investigates the reprimand of principal actors in the crises between Ekoli and Amoso Edda in other to avoid reoccurrence
Umahi expressed sadness over the killings of Ebubeagu security outfit in the state
He said:
“We have so much killings of Ebubeagu, these are our brothers and sisters and they are being killed.
“One of the Gubernatorial Aspirants have boasted that he has entered into agreement with a Judge and that this week Ebubeagu will be disbanded and the man who claims to have knowledge fails to know that Ebubeagu is the creation of the House of Assembly and so Ebubeagu has come to stay.
“I have never sent Ebubeagu after anybody, I have always said that if any Ebubeagu personnel infringes on the right of anybody he should be prosecuted. Five of them are already being prosecuted. These people are not angels but their good side is greater than their bad.
Governor Umahi therefore, call on the Attorney General and Ebonyians to keep an eye on those instigating the killings of Ebubeagu People.
Meanwhile, Governor announcing the setting up of a Review Committee to study the recommendations of the Commission for necessary implementation said the Exco-in-session has approved financial assistance to the APC Chairman, Chief Stanley Emegha to enable him rebuild his houses gutted by fire during the crises in Ekoli Edda.
Contrary to Umahi’s defense for the security outfit, the national President of Ohanaeze Youth Council, OYC, Comrd. Igboayaka O. Igboayaka has yesterday, Thursday, in a press conference at Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press center, in Imo State, called on the United nations, UAE, FG, and indeed the entire International community to place a travel ban on Umahi, consequent on the incessant brutal massacring of residents of Ebonyi State, which were allegedly perpetrated by Ebubeagu Security Network.
Part of the press statement as signed by Igboayaka read:
“It is crucial at this critical political dispensation in Nigeria to bring to the world the insecurity conspiracies masterminded by Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State, in connivance with Rt. Hon. Francis Nwifuru, Speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly and APC Guber Candidate in the State.
G”David Umahi’s sponsorship of terrorism in Effium Ohaukwu Ebonyi State and SouthEast at large is no longer a hidden agenda. On Nov. 3, 2021, five professional Engineers from a World Class Consulting Engineering Firm, “Nelan Consultant were abducted and killed, and up until today, such wicked and barbarism killing was swept under the carpet in Ebonyi State, under the watch of the Governor.
“These Engineers that were gruosomely murdered include Engr. Nelson Onyemeh (Lead Consultant); from Ihiala in Anambra State; Engr. Earnest Edeani from Nkanu in Enugu State; Ikechukwu Ejiofor from Umunya in Oyi LGA of Anambra State; Engr. Samuel Aneke from Nkanu in Enugu-East LGA of Enugu State and Engr. Stanley Nwazulum from Amawbia in Awka-South LGA of Anambra State.
“Gov David Umahi must explain to Ndigbo, Ndi Ebonyi, Nigeria and the International community what happened to these five able bodied engineers. Darkness has come over Ndigbo under the leadership of Gov David Umahi and Rt. Hon Francis Nwifuru the current Speaker and the APC Guber Candidate in the 2023 Governorship election, whom Gov Umahi is sponsoring to continue his evil agenda against Ndigbo and Ebonyi.
“These five able bodied men,plllp class engineers were dutifully supervising the Ebonyi ring road, a contract won by NELAN from Africa Development Bank and World Bank. It’s important to note that one of the engineers was also part of the team that built Geometric Power structures at Aba.
~ UMAHI SWEARS IN NEW JUDGES, OTHERS
In another development Ebonyi Government sworn in the Chief Judge of Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Patrick Uhuo and six other new Judges into the State Judiciary.
Also sworn in are the new Management of Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki and Ebonyi State College of Education, Ikwo, with Professor Chigozie Ogbu as Vice-Chancellor and Professor Benedict Mbam as Provost respectively.
The swearing in ceremonies took place yesterday, at the Executive Council Chambers, Ochoudo Centenary City Abakaliki.
While addressing the new Judges, Governor Umahi congratulated them for making the list after rigorous processes and charged them to go about their duties with the fear of God.
“First is to congratulate very highly the newly sworn in Chief Judge of Customary Court of Appeal. You have proven to be a very good man and I have no doubt in my doubt that you will continue on this path.
“To the new Judges, I want to remark that this goes with commitment, so we commend you to God Almighty and congratulate each and everyone of you.”
Earlier, the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Chief Cletus Ofoke said the swearing in of the Chief Judge Customary Court of Appeal and the six Judges of the High Court followed vacancy by retirement and death.
In an acceptance Speech, the Chief Judge, Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Patrick Uhuo thanked the Governor for finding them worthy to serve in their capacities and pledged to discharge their duties with the fear of God.
The Governor also at the event received Master Chidiebere Nwigboji who emerged as the third Best Student in Nigeria at the 774 Young Nigerian Scientists Presidential Award recently as well as three best performed Students of David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences Uburu.
UMAHI WELCOMES TWO NEW BABIES
Governor Umahi also received two Babies David Ugochukwu and Rachel Nweze who are first and second Babies born in David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital, Uburu since inception.
The Governor prayed God to bless their paths while growing up.
“It is like harvesting the seed that we have jointly planted, we have a donation that we think should be able to take them through Primary and Secondary School.”
