By Obinna Uchendu Abakaliki

Ehugbo Community in Afikpo North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State has restated that the ban on the sell and consumption of cow meat in the community is still in force and directed the Ekpuke Eto age grade to go into the Eke market and fish out those selling cow meat.

The Community during its General Assembly meeting held at Okpoota village square in Amaizu community, also set up an enforcement team who were directed to seize and destroy any cow meat found in the market.

The pronouncement was made by the General Assembly comprising the Onikaras, the Ekpuke Essas, the Ekpuke Etos, Isi Elias and the Ochiaghas, in collaboration with the Afikpo Town Welfare Association (ATWA).

The age grades mandated the Ekpuke Essa age grade to dialogue with Unwana community to stop providing cover for cow sellers in the community.

Speaking at the Assembly ground, the Ezeogo-elect of Afikpo Autonomous Community, Chief Patrick Oko Chukwu maintained that the age grades remains the decision body of the community and warned against going against the collective decision of the Assembly.

It would be recalled that four years ago Afikpo community resolved and boycotted the consumption of beef (cow meat) and rearing of cattle in the area following killings and destruction of farm lands and crops allegedly linked to herdsmen.

The situation had heightened tension in the area as many farmers abandoned their farms for fear of being harmed, leading to the General Assembly discouraging the buying and selling of cow meat in any of the community’s markets particularly the Eke-Ukwu market, Afikpo.

Similarly, the Essa Ehugbo age grade has also banished a middle aged man who was said to have been found guilty of defiling young children and also practicing homosexuality in Ehugbo community.

The suspect who sells spare parts in the community was mandated to leave the community on the 19th of June during the plenary Of the Essa Ehugbo traditional council of elders.

According to community sources, Mr. Emmanuel Irem said that the community also sanctioned 6 elders of the community accused of collecting the sum of N100,000 from the suspect to pervert justice adding that the elders have been suspended from the UliUbi Essa.

The Essa Ehugbo on the 19th of June banished a middle aged man who hails from Anambra State for his involvement in the defilement of some young boys in Ehugbo community. The women of Amechara Community brought the matter before the Essa Ehugbo age grade.

“During their meeting, it was ascertained that the young man is involved in such practice and he was banished from the community. During the investigation, it was also observed that the young man connived with some members of the Essa Ehugbo and offered them bribe to the sum of ₦100,000 each for them to pervert the cause of justice.

It was further revealed that the 7th person refused to accept his own share of the bribe and later reported the shady deal to the age grades during their plenary.

In their ruling, they sanctioned six persons for involved in the collection of the bribe from suspect. The suspect was told to leave Ehugbo community without delay while the 6 elders were sanctioned by the community.

The 6 elders were all expelled from the hallowed chambers until the next age grade transition for some of them who are Ndi Ichie. Those who just transited to Essa would be in the suspension for the next 16 years. Ends.