Ebonyi to set up special court for herders, rape cases

Henceforth ,offenders of COVID-19 law protocols, cultism, and Herdsmen clashes, rape and killings would made to face a special court for prosecution, Ebonyi State Government has said.

The government also directed all Local Government Area Chairmen to liaise with the Miyetti Allah leadership to produce identity cards for all Herders operating within their localities.

in a communique it issued at the end of an enlarged security meeting held at the Akanu Ibiam International Conference Centre, Abakaliki was chaired by Governor David Umahi.

The communique which was read by the Deputy Governor, Kelechi Igwe, directed the Chief Judge of the state to urgently set up a special Court for the trial.

The statement warned that “henceforth, Members of Miyetti Allah and their leadership must take responsibilities for any destruction of farms, crops, properties, including any attack on any Community in Ebonyi State,” adding that rape cases were not exempted.

“They must produce within seven (7) days for arrest and prosecution the perpetrators of such bastardly acts from amongst their membership,” the communiqué added.

“In the same vein, Communities leaders and Traditional Rulers, Development Centre Coordinators, Local Government Council Chairmen and political Office Holders must take responsibility and produce attackers and killers of herdsmen or the cows for arrest and prosecution within seven (7) days whenever such occurs.

“Henceforth, Herders must reside in the community where they graze their cattle.

“Rearing and grazing of Cattle within and around Centenary City, Government House, Schools, Churches, Mosques and Public places of recreation are hereby prohibited and offenders must be prosecuted in accordance with our law within seven (7) days of the arrest.

“All persons carrying cow by foot on the tarred road, on our concrete roads must be arrested and handed over to the police within seven days of prosecution by the community.”