The Ebonyi State Government says it will not obey the court judgment that disbanded the Southeast Security Network, code-named Ebubeagu, describing it as illegal.
The court also ordered the Department of State Services (DSS) and the police to collect all the weapons in the possession of the personnel of the outfit.
But addressing journalists on Wednesday, the State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Uchenna Orji, described the judgement as “dead on arrival,” PM News reports.
Describing the judgement as illegal, Orji said, “Ebubeagu has legal backing for its existence and operations not only in Ebonyi but in the entire southeast.” “We will not hesitate to go to the Supreme Court to know who is right in this circumstance.”
Also speaking, Mr. Stanley Okoro-Emegha, Special Security Consultant (SSC) to the state government, noted that moves were already being made to appeal the judgment.
Okoro-Emegha expressed optimism that the appellate court will reverse the verdict in due course because the outfit has a firm legal backing for its existence.
He urged politicians to stop playing with the security of society, irrespective of the party they belong to.
“Ebubeagu is perfectly designed by law to complement the effort of the security agencies in tackling insecurity.
“We will not listen to that Federal High Court ruling of Tuesday because we have a similar ruling previously, which we won in 2022. Of course, the lives of citizens are of utmost importance to us.
“We will appeal the judgment, and Ebubeagu will continue to function the way they have been functioning.” “So, we will not adhere to that judgement,” he stated.
Okoro-Emegha urged the opposition parties to know that removing Ebubeagu will not make them win elections in Ebonyi.
“Election is by voter card and by talking to your supporters.” “Nothing will make Ebubeagu jitter because there is a law backing the establishment,” he added.
saharareporters.com
