Gov. Nwifuru Upholds Rule of Law, Grants Amnesty to 159 Effium/ Ezza Effium Detainees 

By Ngwuta Chinedu, Abakaliki

Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi state has granted Amnesty to One hundred and fifty nine Effium/ Ezza Effium War Detainees.The Detainees were arrested in 2021 during a carnage which erupted between the duo.

He said they were not exonerated from the war and its cause, but as a leader the state government was doing everything to restore peace in the war ravaged zone saying the state government shall take over the Effium market.

Nwifuru noted that the Amnesty was not a reward for wrong did but to give them a second chance to repent from their sins and become useful to the society again.

Earlier, in his remarks the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of the state, Ben Odoh informed that the Detainees had spent three years and nine months in the medium Abakaliki correctional service.centre.

He said the Detainees were exonerated from prosecution adding the gesture was not a reward for wrong doing but a way of making them usual to the society again.

He added that the government has adopted a retributive justice administration system where the Detainees will be given Empowerment to support themselves when they finally get home

The Chairman white paper implementation committee, Ambassador Franklin Ogbuewu appropriated Gov. Francis Nwifuru for his policy thrust not just for his bold step to ensure that the Detainees regained freedom but his approach to other matters that involves Ebonyians.

Other speakers include: Former Governor Sam Egwu and the Ebonyi state Commissioner of Police Uche- anya. Egwu said the carnage was caused by the former Council Boss of Ohaukwu Local Government Area and the former member represented Ohaukwu North state Constituency, Chinedu Awo between 2019 to 2023 in the Ebonyi State House of Assembly who were from the Community.

Egwu who was visibly unhappy blamed the duo for the war which ordinary would have been averted if they had applied intelligence as leaders who have the security of lives and properties of the people they represent.

However, those who regained freedom turned the venue of the program into a reunion and welcomed back parties with families and friends.