EBONYI STATE GOVT APPEALS JUDGMENT DISBANNING EBUBEAGU

REPORTER: AMECHI ODO

Ebonyi State Government says it has appealed the judgment by a Federal High Court Abakaliki which disbanded, Ebubeagu Security Outfit.

In a joint press briefing, the Security Consultant to the state government, Mr. Stanley Okoroemegha; the Principal Secretary to the Governor, Chief Emma Obasi, and the State COMMISSIONER for Information and Orientation, Chief Uchenna Orji, described the judgment as miscarriage of justice.

Chief Orji noted that the state government would resist the judgment, emphasising that Ebubeagu was a creation of the law of the state and would continue to be operational.

Chief Orji alleged that the the Federal High Court judgment was brought about by malice on the side of the judge.

“It’s a judicial misapplication and misinterpretation, having no regard to the principle of judicial and judicious decision. The judgment of Justice Fatun Riman is a miscarriage of justice that is dead on arrival,” he stated.

Justice Riman had in his judgment declared the establishment of Ebubeagu as unconstitutional and pronounced the disbandment of the outfit with an order that it should be disarmed by the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies.

Meanwhile, 200 youths staged a peaceful protest at the front of the older government house Abakaliki, against the disbandment of the Ebubeagu security outfit by the Federal High Court.

The protesters, who chanted war songs, carried placards which read, “We love Ebubeagu,” “Ebonyi youths stand with Ebubeagu,” “Ebubeagu has come to stay in Ebonyi State” and “Ebubeagu is for peace.”

The leader of the protesters, Stanley Kamali said they would not accept the judgment delivered by Justice Riman of the Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU