86 suspects still in detention over communal feud in Ebonyi --- lawmaker

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(Nigeria) Chief Chijioke Enyi, the Minority Leader of the Ebonyi House of Assembly, said on that 86 Ezza indigenes were still in detention at the Abakaliki prisons over the Ezza/Ezillo communal crisis.
The crisis between both neighbours which started since 2010, had claimed hundreds of lives and property worth millions of naira.
Enyi (ANPP Ezza North-West) said at  the plenary of the assembly which resumed sitting after a long break, that the detainees were members of his constituency held without trial.
“They were arrested after the Dec. 31, 2011 killing of over 66 Ezillo indigenes, which included mainly the aged, women and children. This situation is appalling as it infringes on the fundamental rights of these people, who have the constitutional rights to fair and speedy trial, if accused of conspiracy in such crime.”
Enyi, who is also the House Committee Chairman on Public Utilities, called on the state government to ensure the immediate release of the detainees.
He urged the speaker to convey the message to the state governor, to save the detainees from further suffering.
The lawmaker also complained that apart from the ongoing constituency projects, the state government was not executing any project in his area.
“The only road project started in 2007, covering from the 135 axis of the Abakaliki-Enugu Express road to Onueke, has been abandoned.
“Every member of the House is thanking the government for locating projects in their areas but I have none of such reports to give. The government should know that any project sited in the constituency and the entire Ezza North Local Government Area, will be enjoyed by all as we have Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members in the area.
NAN reports that the plenary session gave other members the chance of reviewing development activities going on in their various constituencies.
Chief Eni Uduma (PDP Afikpo-South West), however, said that Enyi’s claims amounted to a slight on the part of the state government, noting that the latter had been empowered to execute constituency projects in his area.
“His claims require probing of the execution of projects in the constituency.
Responding, the Speaker of the assembly, Mr. Chukwuma Nwazunku, said that the house would look into the issues raised by Enyi and other members.
 “We thank God for guiding and guarding us through our recess as we are more refreshed to carry out our legislative duties in the people’s interest. Issues of project execution are in the hands of the Executive arm of government but we would be complementing its efforts through our oversight functions,” the speaker said. 

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