Fulani Herdsmen: Traditional Leader Imprisoned For The Death Of A Herdsman In River State

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Fulani Herdsmen: Traditional Leader Imprisoned For The Death Of A Herdsman In River State
 

The clan head of Ito South in Odukpani local government area of Cross River State, His Royal Highness (HRH) Etinyin Edet Okon Eyet Ebita has been thrown into Afokang prison in Calabar, Cross River State capital.

In a charge sheet, case no MC/160 C/ 2018, the HRH was charged with ten counts bothering on attempted murder of Fulani herdsman in Ekwere Obong, Obot Esu, Ito South clan in Odukpani Local Government Area of the State.

But the counsel to HRH, Ntufam Mba Ukweni, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in a letter to the Commissioner of Police said that his client received a letter dated 14th February 2018 from the Commissioner of Police inviting him (HRH) to his office to answer an allegation of the murder of a Fulani cattle herdsman and he honoured it on the 19th February, 2018.

The incident took place at Ito North Clan of Odukpani local government sometime in November 2017 during an invasion of that clan by some Fulani herdsmen, “It should be noted that Ito North clan is a distinct clan from Ito South clan where our client resides,”the SAN stated.

He further stated that, “The incident did not take place in his clan and he was not involved in whatever took place there. He knew nothing about the alleged murder or whatever might have taken place at Ito North clan…but he facilitated amicable resolution of the cattle herdsmen issues in the area.”

He regretted that informal bail application made by Barr. Bassey I. Inyang, a retired deputy commissioner of Police and the Village heads who accompanied him, including the member representing Odukpani state constituency in the State House of Assembly, Hon Bassey Akiba was turned down by Mrs. Evelyn Tami Peterside, the deputy commissioner of Police in charge of state CID.

Consequently, it was gathered that without releasing the suspect on bail, the matter was hurriedly charged to Magistrate Court which Barr. Eyet N. Eyibio told our correspondent has no jurisdiction to hear murder case.

“Sadly, on Monday 26th Feb 2018; he was hurriedly arraigned in Court, Magistrate Court which has no jurisdiction to entertain the murder case. Our clan head was remanded in prison custody; this is a complete desecration of our traditional Institution.

“It cannot happen in the North, no Emir can be imprisoned, we vehemently oppose to this development. HRH Ebita was not in his palace and resides some 8 km away from Mbiabong Ito, the scene of the incident.”

In a statement dated February 28th 2018 and made available to our correspondent, His Highness, Chief Inyang Inyang said ,“In view of the foregoing, the entire Ito people are saddened by the unfolding scenario and want to state here that Fulani herdsmen in connivance with the Police have desecrated our traditional institution.

“By this act, our ancestors are angry with the Fulanis and there are henceforth not permitted to come to any part of Ito community or pass through same for purposes of grazing their herds (cows).

“The Commissioner of Police, Cross River who is a Fulani knows that no category of their chiefs (Emir or District Head) can be so treated in the North without serious reaction from the people. That we are minority and law abiding should not be taken for granted”

At the time of filling this report, His Royal Highness Etinyin Edet Okon Eyet Ebita was still in the Afokang prison while a team of lawyers were battling to secure a bail from the High Court, Calabar for him.

Source DailyPost

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