Police arraign 55 suspects over Effium, Ezza crisis

1
376

A total of 55 persons were arraigned by the Ebonyi State Police Command, on Wednesday for murder, arson and destruction of property worth millions of naira.

The Defendants, including one Ojo Monday were accused of being responsible for killings, destruction of buildings and illegal possession of firearms during the recent bloody crisis between Effium and Ezza Effium communities in Ohaukwu Local Government Area.

At least 40 persons were killed during the crisis while property worth hundreds of millions were destroyed

They accused were arraigned on a seven counts bordering on felony, murder, arson, encouraging communal war and unlawful possession of firearms, among others before a Magistrate.

According to ASP Mathias Eze, the police prosecutor, 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 no bail application was made on their behalf.

Chief Magistrate Nnenna Onuoha ordered that the defendants be remanded in the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Abakaliki, while their case file should be transferred to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for necessary legal advice.

Onuoha adjourned the matter till February 19, 2021, for report of compliance.

1 COMMENT

Comments are closed.