Umahi condemn youths protest over Ebubeagu disbandment, innugurates two vigilante outfit

Gracia Simeon- Abakaliki

Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi has condemned in totality the youths protest over the disbandment of Ebubeagu Security outfit few days ago.

Umahi, made his feelings known during a statewide broadcast held at the State Executive Council Chambers Government House, Centenary City Abakaliki.

According to Umahi, even though people have the right to peaceful protest, says the judgement of the Court remains the judgement of the Court.

He then thanked the Security Agencies who prempted what would have been protest and violent disruption of the peace of the State and ordered the commissioner of police to arrest anyone who tries to protest the judgement of the court.

According to him, there are other legal means to protest the judgement of the federal high court that disbanded Ebubeagu.

“On the recent protest on disbandment of Ebubeagu, I condemn the protest vehemently and I have directed the Commissioner of Police to ensure that anyone who tries that again will be arrested.

“Even though people have the right to peaceful protest but because of the respect I have for the Judiciary, they must not go to do such protest at the gate of the Judiciary and infact they should not attempt to do that, the judgement of the Court remains the judgement of the Court and this is the Court of first instance, we still have the appeal Court and we still have the Supreme Court to be used to address any envisaged injustice.

“I have directed that Ebubeagu will not function in the State until the stay of Execution is granted and appeal is entered, 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”

“however , it must be noted that just about a month ago, another Court of equal jurisdiction had passed a judgement restraining anybody from disbanding Ebubeagu, what it means is that I have two judgements on the same subject and I could choose the one to obey if I were not a lover of the Judiciary, however, I have decided to obey the later judgement that says that Ebubeagu should not function, so for now, Ebubeagu should not function while we process the stay of Execution and appeal entered at Enugu” he said

Umahi, however, inaugurates two set of vigilante outfits passed into law by the State House of Assembly. The outfits are Neighborhood watch and Ebonyi State Vigilante Corps.

“let me thank the House of Assembly for passing into law another two sets of Vigilante outfits for Ebonyi State which process started in 2021 but they graciously passed it few days ago and that is Ebonyi State Neighborhood Watch, let me say that we have had this Neighbourhood Watch even before now far back as 2015 and they did tremendously very well so the law is back and they are empowered to function.

‘”Another vigilante that has come into effect is the Ebonyi State Vigilante Corps and this will also function in the State and I am hereby inaugurating these new outfits officially today and by the laws of the State they are empowered to function