POLICE ARRAIGN 55 PERSONS IN COURT OVER EFFIUM & EZZA-EFFIUM COMMUNAL CLASH

Reporter : AMECHI ODO

Police in Ebonyi State have arraigned fifty-five suspects before an Abakaliki Magistrate Court in connection with the communal clashes that engulfed the entire Effium and Ezza Effuim communities in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of the state.

The suspects were arraigned on a seven count charge of felony, murder, arson and conspiracy to cause communal war.

After reading the count charge, the suspects pleaded not guilty to the offences while the Chief Magistrate, Nnenna Onuoha, declined jurisdiction to entertain the matter.

She however ordered that they be remanded in police custody while their case file be returned to the Department of Public Prosecution for further actions

Recent clashes between Effium and Ezza Effium communities followed leadership tussle in the National Union of Road Transport Workers Effium Market Branch.