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Tag: Ebonyi

  • Defection: APC rejects court judgement sacking Dave Umahi

    Defection: APC rejects court judgement sacking Dave Umahi

    The Ebonyi Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has rejected Tuesday’s judgement of the Federal High Court, Abuja, removing Gov. David Umahi and his deputy, Dr. Kelechi Igwe, from office over defection from the PDP to the APC.

    Chairman of the party in the state, Mr Stanley Okoro-Emegha, rejected the verdict in a press statement in Abakaliki on Tuesday.

    Okoro-Emegha said the presiding judge erred in his judgement which he described as an abuse of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended.

    He stated that there was already a subsisting judgement of a High Court in Abakaliki, and also in Zamfara state which ruled that a serving Governor or his Deputy cannot be sacked from office on account of their defection to another party.

    The Chairman called on members and the supporters of the Governor to remain calm and law-abiding, adding that the judgement will surely be appealed.

    “The judgement was clearly biased and it’s unacceptable.

    “There is no need for panic as the judgement will surely be appealed. All members of the APC and supporters of the Governor are advised to remain calm and law-abiding,” he said.

    Recall that Gov Umahi was sacked on Tuesday following the court ruling over his defection from the PDP to the ruling APC.

  • Be constructive in opposition – Ebonyi APC urges PDP

    Be constructive in opposition – Ebonyi APC urges PDP

    The Ebonyi chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has charged the opposition-People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state to engage in constructive opposition.
    The state APC Chairman, Chief Stanley Okoro-Emegha, said this on Thursday in Abakaliki, while reacting to a report in a section of the media, captioned “PDP faults Ebonyi Govt. on declaration of ex-Reps member wanted.”
    Okoro-Emegha admonished PDP to refrain from supporting undemocratic tendencies and fanning the embers of war and political violence in the state.
    He said that Gov. Dave Umahi only directed the police and other security agencies to declare the former lawmaker, Mr Linus Okorie, wanted over the malicious social media publication ascribed to him.
    He described the statement as inciting, saying that the publication led to loss of lives and valuables in Ikwo Local Government Area recently.
    “Remember that state governors are the Chief Security Officers of their various states.
    “On this premise, it is incumbent on them to devise lawful means in a very proactive and reasonable manner to ensure that the oath of securing the lives and property of their citizens they took is not in anyway jeopardised.
    “Do you expect the governor to fold his arms and do nothing when the former legislator made an inciting facebook publication which constituted a security breach?
    “Do you expect the governor to fold his arms and watch crisis engulf the state?
    “Your guess is as good as mine in this scenario.
    “PDP should go and learn how to be in opposition rather than pose itself as a threat to our democracy, which has endured.
    “It should also understand that no one, no matter how highly placed, has immunity against violence.
    “When it erupts, it consumes everything along its path. The party shouldn’t throw caution to the wind,” he said.
    Okoro-Emegha, who is also the Special Security Consultant to Ebonyi Government, described fake news and hate speeches as “worse than the unknown gunmen.
    “Fake news and hate speeches can provoke tension and cause people to go to war for no justifiable reason,” he said.
    He expressed the hope that the Ebonyi Cybercrime Law 2021 would not be a toothless bulldog that allowed unscrupulous elements to cause the innocent and law-abiding citizens unnecessary inconveniences.
    “I, therefore, charge PDP to shun acts inimical to peace and allow the law to take its full course on the matter.
    “No one should be afraid of the law because its implementation is aimed at bringing sanity to the entire society by assuaging defamatory publications,” he said.
    The embattled former lawmaker represented Ohaozara/Onicha/Ivo Federal Constituency in the National Assembly between 2011 and 2019.

  • Ebonyi government distance self from IPOB sit-at-home order, Instructs markets, parks to open

    Ebonyi government distance self from IPOB sit-at-home order, Instructs markets, parks to open

    The Ebonyi Government has directed markets, parks and business premises to disregard the sit-at-home order on Tuesday, Jan. 19 by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
    The group had issued a sit-at-home order in solidarity with its Leader, Nnamdi Kanu, whose case comes up from Jan. 18 to Jan. 20.
    Kanu is accused of committing a treasonable felony, an offence punishable under Section 41(C) of the Criminal Code Act, CAP C38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.
    But in a statement issued to newsmen on Sunday in Abakiliki, the state government stated that
    the people of the state would not be part of the IPOB order.
    The statement, which was signed by the Commissioner for Market and Park, Mr Nwachukwu Eze, directed all markets and parks to open for business.
    “All markets and parks leaderships in Ebonyi are by this announcement directed to ensure that markets are open for businesses on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
    “The state is not in any way part of the sit-at-home order by IPOB.
    “Please note that strict compliance to this directive is very important as failure to do so will attract severe punishment,” Eze further added.

  • Gov. Umahi suspends principal secretary over dereliction of duty

    Gov. Umahi suspends principal secretary over dereliction of duty

    Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi on Friday suspended Mr Emmanuel Obasi, his Principal Secretary for one month over dereliction of duty.

    The suspension is contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Kenneth Ugbala and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abakaliki.

    In the statement, Umahi directed that the suspension was with immediate effect.

    “Obasi is directed to handover all government property in his possession to the SSG before the close of work on Jan.7.

    “Strict compliance to this directive is to be ensured,’’ the statement read.

  • Fire guts residential building, shops in Ebonyi

    Fire guts residential building, shops in Ebonyi

    A fire outbreak which occurred on Monday around Mile 50 Layout, Abakaliki, destroyed property worth millions of naira.

    A residential building and more than seven shops were gutted in the incident.

    Confirming the fire outbreak, the Federal Fire Service, Ebonyi Command, said that the incident occurred at Aliugbala-Eze Street located around Eze and Bros Junction.

    Mr Yakubu Zekeri, Assistant Superintendent of Fire in the Command, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that no life was lost and no one was injured.

    He pointed out that the quick drafting of firemen to the scene curtailed the spread of the fire.

    Zekeri, who led the fire fighters to the scene, said property worth millions of naira were damaged.

    “For now, we can’t really ascertain the cause of the fire but one of the tenants has told us that it was caused by electrical spark.

    “We are still on a `damping down` and when we are done with it we will know the actual cause of the fire,“ he said.

    Zekeri advised residents to cultivate the habit of switching off their electrical appliances when going out or going to bed.

    “This will help them to prevent the chances of fire outbreak should there be a power surge in their homes,’’ he said.

    He reminded residents that the country was in the harmattan season, a period that is susceptible to fire outbreaks because of its dry nature.

    “This is dry season and critical period for fire outbreak. I urge the residents to always call on fire fighters whenever there is any sign of fire. Do not wait for it to get worse before calling us,” he advised.

    One of the victims of the fire incident, a police officer, Insp. Calistus Akogu, said he lost all his documents and other valuables to the fire.

    “I was in the office when my wife called me about the fire, but before I could get home, all my property had already been damaged.

    “All I have now apart from my children and wife is the cloth on me. I have lost every other thing,“ Akaogu said.

  • 2 police personnel missing as gunmen attack Ebonyi Lawmaker

    2 police personnel missing as gunmen attack Ebonyi Lawmaker

    Suspected gunmen have attacked Mr Chinedu Awo, Lawmaker, representing Ohaukwu North constituency in Ebonyi State House of Assembly.

    Confirming the incident, the Spokesperson of the Police Command in the state, DSP Loveth Odah, told journalists in Abakaliki on Monday that two police personnel were also abducted during the attack.

    The policemen were in the company of the lawmaker, who was on his way on Sunday to his hometown, Effium Community in Ohaukwu local Government Area of the state.

    NAN recalls that Effium community had been on communal crisis since January 2021.

    The State Governor, David Umahi, on Nov. 26 placed on hold the construction work on the Effium axis of the Abakaliki ring road project.

    The Governor’s order followed the abduction of five construction workers by suspected kidnappers on Nov. 3 in the area. The workers have not been seen since then.

    According to the Police Spokesperson, on Nov. 28, 2021, at about 1340hrs, Awo accompanied Police Operatives were returning from investigation activities in connection with the three missing engineers, abducted in the area on Nov 3.

    “Awo accompanied the operatives to enable him to dialogue with the warriors at Igbuduoke village in Effium/Ezza clan ‘the warring community’ in Ohaukwu Local Government Area; they were ambushed by armed Ezza warriors numbering over 60.

    “The operatives gallantry fought back, resulting in heavy casualties on the side of the attackers.

    “However, DSP Bruno Chukwu and two others sustained bullet wounds and are currently in hospital responding to treatment.

    “The two Police officers by name: Sergeant Donatus Osugwu, and Sergeant Thaddeus Ugoeze, are suspected to have been abducted by the hoodlums,” Odah explained.

    She explained that the Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi, Mr Aliyu Garba, had led a team on reinforcement at the scene.

    “They have cordoned the forest and searched the village but could not see the missing officers nor the perpetrators.

    “Efforts are in top gear to ensure the perpetrators are tracked down and arrested,” she said.

  • Gunmen attack Divisional Police Headquarters in Ebonyi, kill officer, destroy patrol van

    Gunmen attack Divisional Police Headquarters in Ebonyi, kill officer, destroy patrol van

    One police officer has been killed and two patrol vehicles burnt following an attack on the Ohauku Divisional Headquarters of the Ebonyi State Police Command by suspected gunmen.

    The incident was said to have occurred on Sunday night but the police authorities reacted on Monday.

    Police Public Relations Officer, Loveth Odah confirmed the attack on Monday.

    She said the officer died while being rushed to the hospital for medical attention after he sustained gunshot wounds.

    But the police spokesperson debunked some media reports that the gunmen freed some inmates.

    According to Odah, the Commissioner of Police, CP Aliyu Garba has visited the scene of the unfortunate incident and called on people in the area to assist the police in arresting those behind the attack.

    Sunday’s attack is the latest in a series of attacks on police stations and security personnel in the South-East region.

    Dozens of officers have been killed in the southeast this year in attacks authorities blame on the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a separatist movement agitating for a breakaway state for the ethnic Igbo people.

  • Gunmen invade Ebonyi community, kill two policemen, lawyers, six others

    Gunmen invade Ebonyi community, kill two policemen, lawyers, six others

    Two police officers, two lawyers and seven other peasants farmers were on Thursday reportedly killed by gunmen who invaded Isu and Onicha-Igboeze communities, in Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

    According to reports, the cops were reportedly killed in Isu while others were killed in Onicha Igboeze.

    It was gathered that two lawyers were also killed by the gunmen during the attack.

    The two lawyers, it was learnt, were passing with a vehicle, when they ran into the gunmen who operated on a Lexus Jeep.

    The invaders were said to have killed the lawyers, burnt the vehicle they operated in and left the scene in the lawyers vehicle.

    There have been killings in Onicha in the last three months by gunmen and suspected security agents.

    Last month, a woman and daughter of a monarch in the area, Elizabeth Agwu, was hit by a stray bullet when policemen invaded the community to arrest a suspect.

    The woman died as a result of the bullet which got her on the abdomen. The suspect the policemen came to arrest was later shot dead.

    Before that particular incident, about seven travellers were burnt alive inside the vehicle they were travelling in, on the same axis.

    When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, in the state, DSP Loveth, confirmed the latest invasion, but said details of the incident were still sketchy.

    She, however, noted that the Commissioner of Police in the state, Aliyu Garba, had dispatched a team of policemen to the area.

  • Ebonyi people will not obey IPOB’s `sit-at-home’ order on Oct. 1 – Umahi

    Ebonyi people will not obey IPOB’s `sit-at-home’ order on Oct. 1 – Umahi

    People of Ebonyi will not sit at home during Nigeria’s 61st anniversary celebrations on Friday as ordered by proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

    Ebonyi’s Gov. David Umahi made the declaration in Abakaliki on Thursday in a chat with newsmen.

    He said the Oct. 1 date was very important to Nigeria and equally very important to Ebonyi, which was created on Oct. 1, 1996.

    The governor said Ebonyi had been so much deprived in the past and was trying to catch up with the rest of the country with innovations.

    “So, anybody that says `sit-at-home’ should know that Ebonyi people are not going to sit at home.

    “I appeal to the entire Southeast people to remember the danger of this order. Many people have been killed for no reasons because it.

    “Agitation is natural and fundamental, but nobody is justified to carry guns illegally to kill other people.

    `We condemn in totality the insecurity in the Southeast being instigated by our people.

    IPOB had declared Friday, Oct. 1 as “sit-at-home’’ day for residents of the Southeast.

    “We also condemned the killing of Dr Chike Akunyili, (erstwhile widower of Dr Dora Akiunyili, former Minister of Information) and other people in the country at large,’’ Gov. Umahi said.

  • Ebonyi pastor killed by stray bullet during morning devotion as rioting youths clash with police

    Ebonyi pastor killed by stray bullet during morning devotion as rioting youths clash with police

    A pastor of the Glorious Gospel Fire Assembly, John Onu, was killed by police stray bullet at his house in Nkaliki, Abakaliki Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

    The incident happened on Monday morning, September 20, when police protecting a hotel belonging to one Chukwudi Onyibe, a Special Assistant to the Chairman of the Local Government on Internally Generated Revenue, started to shoot sporadically at rioting youths of the area.

    Pastor Onu was reportedly observing his morning devotion inside his room in a-3 storey building at Hatchery, Nkaliki road when he was hit by police stray bullets while trying to shut his windows following the commotion outside.

    The bullet reportedly hit him on the upper side of his chest and pierced through his back.

    It was gathered that the Youths of Ebyia Upnuhu village had gone on rampage, burning houses in the area after a native of the village was beaten to death allegedly by men of Ebube Agu security outfit who came to make some arrest in the area.

    It was further gathered that the Council Chairman’s house and that of his Aide, Mr Chukwudi Onyibe were set ablaze in the village.

    The rampaging youths also attempted to attack Abakaliki local government headquarters, Nakaliki but were dispersed by the security agents.

    Chairman of the local government, Hon. Emmanuel Nwangele confirmed the incident to journalists in Abakaliki.

    “I was about to go to the village that night to calm the youths but some people around told me it was late that time; that it was better in the morning. It was after that that I was informed that somebody died and that they are rampaging to the extent that they came to one Bosco Guest House and they were dispersed by the police,” he narrated.

    “They went back home and set ablaze houses. Swift reaction was that I was called that they also moved to my own house and also set it ablaze, destroying so many things. I said why? Because I don’t know the genesis of the problem. Late in the night, they also went back to that Bosco’s hotel. According to information, they were even trying to come to Abakaliki local government headquarters but security agencies prevented them. Then this morning, they repeated

    “The owner of the guest house, Bosco, Chukwudi Onyibe is my SA on IGR. But information reaching me said that they conveyed Ebubeagu people to go and arrest somebody who stole something and on the way to that place, they had a clash with somebody who overtook their vehicle and from there, they had some squabbles and it was led by one soldier from that our village who was posted outside but returned to the village

    “It was one of the Ebube Agu boys that they said that had encounter with them and Bosco wasn’t even with them, he was on the steering. This was what I was told, I don’t even know anything about it.” he added.

    When contacted, the Assistant Police Public Relations Officer of the State Police Command, ASP Philip Levi also confirmed the incident but said everything had been brought under control.