Umahi inaugurates panel to probe Pastor's torture

Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, has inaugurated an investigative panel to look into the alleged torture and humiliation of one Pastor Okochi Obeni. 

The sad incident was said to have occurred at the Amasiri community, Afkipo North Local Government Area of the state.

Obeni was allegedly flogged by members of the Isi Oru Age Grade for making a post on Facebook in which he criticised the immediate past chairman of the local government.

The pastor was allegedly given 36 strokes of the cane and made to drink from the gutter.

The incident attracted condemnation from local and international human right organisations.

Following the condemnation and call for justice, Umahi inaugurated the panel with a charge to do its work without fear or favour

Umahi, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr Eric Igwe, gave the panel two weeks to submit its report.

The panel is chaired by a former Minister of State for Health, Chief Fidelis Nwankwo.

Other members are Mr Chris Usulor, Mr Ray Nkama, Aleke Ude and Emeka Nwode, who will serve as the secretary.

Umahi bans movement of cattle in Ebonyi state

Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has banned movements of cattle in the state capital, Abakaliki and its environs with immediate effect. Umahi made the disclosure today in Abakaliki during a statewide broadcast.

“I have told relevant security agencies in the state that I will no longer tolerate seeing cows within the centenary city and its environs such as the international market and new shopping mall among others.

"It is an insult for me to be struggling to enter the Government House with cows on the road,” he said.

The governor directed the state Attorney General to get a court order to auction cows seen within these vicinity.

Umahi also said that the state would not allow movement of Quranic pupils, Almajiri, to the state as the northern states governors had directed that such persons should be returned to their respective states.

“We will not allow Almajiris in Ebonyi and we have to tell ourselves the truth as a people,” he said.

The governor however, lamented that 90 per cent of the 13 confirmed COVID-19 cases were individuals who sold phone accessories in Lagos.

He noted that such individuals could still engage in such business in the state instead of doing so outside.

Umahi said that the victims were exposed to the deadly disease while engaging in such business in Lagos and advised youths to embark on such businesses in the state.

“We offered N250, 000 each to about 1, 000 youths in Lagos to establish businesses as such returnees should presently liaise with the commissioner for agriculture to get something they can do here.

Most of the cases are from Izzi Local Government Area (LGA) as the Speaker of the state House Assembly, an indigence of the area, must watch the situation,” he said.