Police parade 55 suspects over Ebonyi communal crisis

By Ogochukwu Anioke, AbakalikiNo fewer than Fifty-five (55) persons have been arraigned by the Police in Ebonyi State for their alleged involvement in the Effium communal crisis.They were arraigned on Wednesday over allegations of murder, arson and destruction of property worth millions of Naira.The defendants, it was alleged, were responsible for killings, destruction of buildings and illegal possession of firearms during the crisis.The crisis had erupted last two weeks in the community between the people of Effium and Ezza Effium, in the Ohaukwu Local Government Area of the state, recently.The intra-communal war started as a clash between the two factions of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).Though the police said about 8 persons were killed residents said over 40 persons were killed while property and other valuables worth millions of Naira were destroyed.The defendants according to court documents committed the offence in Ezza Effium in the Ohaukwu Local Government Area of the state, on January 22, 2021.READ ALSO:11 killed in Ebonyi accidentThey were arraigned before the Magistrate Court, on Wednesday, on seven counts bothering on felony, murder, arson, encouraging communal war, unlawful possession of firearms, among others.The Police Prosecutor, ASP Mathias Eze, told the court that the offences were punishable under sections 516A (a), 42, 319(1), 443 of the Criminal Code Cap. 33, Vol. 1, Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria, 2009 and section 3 of the Robbery and Firearms Act, Cap R, 11, Laws of Federation of Nigeria, 2004, as amended.The defendants were not represented in court and, therefore, no bail application was made on their behalf.The Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Nnenna Onuoha, ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Abakaliki.She ordered that their case file should be transferred to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, for necessary legal advice.The Judge adjourned the matter to February 19, 2021, for a report of compliance.
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