The Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi has suspended the operations of Ebubeagu in Ebonyi State until a stay of execution granted and appeal is entered.
On Tuesday, 14th February 2023, the Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki disbanded the South-East security outfit Ebubeagu in Ebonyi State.
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The judge, Riman Fatun, in his ruling on Tuesday, declared Ebubeagu’s activities illegal and ordered the State Security Service and the Nigeria Police to collect all the weapons in possession of the security outfit.
According to the court, the disbandment of the security outfit was as a result of human rights abuses, extortions, illegal arrests and use of fire arms.
In response to the court ruling on Friday, Dave Umahi in a state-wide broadcast at the Government House in Abakiliki, said that Ebubeagu won’t be operational in the state until the stay of execution is granted and appeal is entered.
“On the issue of Ebubeagu, I have directed that Ebubeagu will not function in the State until the stay of Execution is granted and appeal is entered,” the governor said.
“This is in obedience to the rule of law and respect for our Judiciary which I have great respect for, whether the judgement is good for our people or bad, it is the judgement of the Court”.
The security outfit was created through legislation by Ebonyi Assembly, following the April 2021 resolution of the South-east governors to set up the outfit in the five states of the region to complement the effort of the security agencies in the fight against the upsurge in crimes.
While the Governor suspended the operations of Ebubeagu, he thanked the House of Assembly for passing into law another two sets of vigilante outfits for Ebonyi State.
He stated that the process for the two new vigilante outfits started in 2021 but that the House of Assembly only graciously passed it into law a few days ago.
The new vigilante outfit is the Ebonyi State Neighbourhood watch.
“Let me say that we have had this Neighbourhood Watch even before now as far back as 2015 and they did tremendously very well so the law is back and they are empowered to function,” – Governor Umahi.
Nnamdi Maduakor is a Writer, Investor and Entrepreneur