Ebonyi Assembly bans church crusades of spiritual cleansing

A motion to ban all spiritual crusade by self-described prophets of God against witches and wizards and community cleansing has been approved by the Ebonyi State House of Assembly.

The restriction was implemented on Thursday during the plenary session at the Assembly’s compound.

The deliberation was held under urgent public importance, according to a statement provided to newsmen by the Assembly’s public relations officer, Sylvester Egede. An earlier report on the disruption of public activities and interference with community peace caused by Prophet Ubadimma’s Christian crusade in the Izzi Council Area came before the deliberation.

“The report has it that an undisclosed amount of money, four residential buildings, properties worth millions of naira and other valuable items belonging to Chief John Ekpono and his three wives of Aghara-Oza village, Ndiebor Ezza Inyimagu in Izzi LGA of the state, were completely destroyed by the youths of the community following the inciteful accusation of the victim by prophet Ubadimma and his cohort.

“He accused them of using wizard and witchcraft powers to tie the destinies of the community youths, hence, their inability to make meaningful progress despite their effort,” he stated.

The motion, presented by Godwin Abiri, the member representing Izzi West state constituency, claimed that the terrible episode was only averted by the prompt involvement of Stephen Nwankpa, the chairman of the Izzi Council.

In order to prevent a future occurrence or the use of jungle justice by young people, the legislator warned that such activities could destroy the current peace in the state, which is led by Governor Francis Nwifuru. He prayed for an immediate clampdown on church programmes that are conducted without the necessary permission from the leadership of any community or security organisations.

Abiri insisted that Ebonyi villages would face problems if the savage conduct is not stopped, even as he urged his colleagues to endorse the proposal.

Kingsley Ikoro, the House Leader and representative for Afikpo North West, seconded the motion, condemned the act in its entirety and noted that, given the current state of the nation’s economy, building a house would be more cost-effective to create a brotherhood than to demolish an existing building.

In order to dissuade anyone from thinking along those lines, he demanded the instant arrest of the offenders.

In addition, Chikezie Nwankwo, who represents Ohaozara East, and Mrs. Chinyere Nwogbaga, the member representing Ebonyi North East, denounced the act, stating that it did not promote moral upbringing or a sense of unity. They also demanded that the people responsible for the damages be apprehended and held accountable.

The motion was put to a vote by House Speaker Moses Ije-Odunwa, and it was approved by all of the lawmakers.

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