No Boko Haram prisoners in Ebonyi – Governor Umahi

The Ebonyi Sate Governor, David Umahi, on Friday dismissed the rumour making the rounds in the state that Boko Haram inmates have been transferred from Anambra Prisons to the federal prisons in the state.
Addressing journalists in the state on “some burning issues”, Mr. Umahi said the federal prisons in the state were very congested and lack the capacity to accommodate Boko Haram inmates.
“Ebonyi prisons are very congested to harbour Boko Haram inmates and our state is very small. There is no how something like transfer of the inmates to the state will happen that we will not know.
“So I want people to disregard the rumour and go about their lawful businesses; no any Boko Haram inmate has been relocated to the prisons in the state. It is completely lie,” the governor said.
He warned residents of the state against peddling sensitive rumours, which he said was capable of causing panic in the state.
Mr. Umahi also used the occasion to warn his commissioners against “sharp practices” in the collection of taxes, rates and charges, saying that anyone caught would be imprisoned according to the provisions of the laws guiding revenue collection in the state.

Meanwhile, the Ebonyi State House of Assembly has summoned three commissioners in the state to appear before it next week over the state government’s taxation policy.
Affected commissioners to answer questions include Moses Ogodo-Ali (Environment), Elizabeth Ogbaga (Commerce and Industry) and Dennis Ekumankama (Finance).
“This development has caused untold sufferings on the people who voted us into power and endangers the security of the state due to the protests and acrimony, which greeted the enforcement of the taxes,” said Chris Usulor, a member representing Ezza South constituency.
He noted that the House of Assembly made a law stipulating that it will approve all taxes and levies by organs of the state’s executive arm of government before putting it to the public.
“The actions of these arms of the executive arm of government contravene section 23 of Ebonyi Environmental Protection Agency Law of 2015.
He faulted the destruction of stalls and shops belonging to the citizens by some ministries, and therefore moved a motion summoning the affected commissioners to explain their actions.
Also commenting, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly, Obasi Odefa, noted that it was regrettable that peasants such as beer parlour owners and radio repairers were given outrageous taxes of N129, 000 per year.
The Speaker of the House, Francis Nwifuru, condemned the development, noting that the House would always make laws that would protect the peoples’ interest.