Ebonyi state House of Assembly was yesterday shocked with the latest revelation that over 86 indigenes of Ezza extraction are still in prison detention over the Ezza-Ezillo communal crisis without trial.
However, it would be recall that the Ezza-Ezillo Communal crisis which began in 2008 lasted for three years (2011). The crisis was based on land dispute between two clans Ezza and Ezillo which claimed hundreds of lives and property worth millions of naira destroyed.
Hon. Enyi C. Enyi, the Minority Leader of the House representing Ezza North West Constituency who made this known explained that the development were among the paramount issues raised by way of appeal for the state to tender mercy and release them by his kinsmen during the just concluded House recess period.
Another, he told the house was the absence of state project in his area either executed or ongoing since the inception of this present administration.
Enyi who spoke while addressing 21-member of the house present on Monday sitting said that even if the area had some persons in opposition political parties they still remains law abiding and good citizens of the state.
According to him, “my kinsmen asked me to inform you that there is need for the state to show mercy and release over 86 indigenes of Ezza’s extraction that are languishing in prison and Mr. Speaker it would shock you to know that they have not been trial since then.
“Also, is the fact that people of my constituency is without any state government project whether ongoing or executed, so it was their humbly appeal that you Mr. Speaker plead on their behalf to the state government to remember them going by the fact that they are still citizens and law abiding”, he said.
The Minority Leader who informed the House of the recent amalgamation and registration of All Progressive Congress (APC) charged his colleagues to henceforth address him and Hon. Samuel Nwobasi representing Ezza North East who is also in the house as APC member insist of ANPP as it was initially.
Enyi who was punctured by his colleague representing Afikpo South West constituency, Hon. Eni Uduma Chima told the house that the APC honorable member remark on the floor of the house amounted to a slight on the state government, “for Eni to input that there was no state government project in his area when he had been empowered to execute constituency projects in the area.
He said that Enyi revelation demands probe of the execution of the constituency projects in his area.
Meanwhile, Hon. Frank Onwe representing Ohankwu North constituency equally rattled the house on state appointment. He noted that his area is without any state appointment except that of permanent secretary.
The Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Chukwuma Nwazunku who took the opportunity to thank God for guidance throughout their recess period assured the APC member (Hon. Enyi) that the house would investigate the matter.
