Governor Umahi Bans And Threatens Reporters With Koboko And Public Assault

The Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi has banned the reporters of The Sun newspaper and the Vanguard Newspaper, Chijioke Agwu and Peter Okutu, from entering Government house and Government facilities in the State for life.

Umahi who made the statement in a statewide live broadcast aired in the State’s Television and Radio stations said he was displeased with the leadership of Nigeria Union of Journalists, for failing to discipline their members.

Umahi had last week Saturday ordered the arrest of The Sun Correspondent, Chijioke Agwu, over a report he did on the Lassa Fever outbreak in the state who was later released. Three days later, Mr. Peter Okutu, was arrested on the orders of Ohaukwu LGA Chairman, Mr. Clement Odah, over a report he did on the alleged military invasion of Umuogodoakpu-Ngbo community in the council area.

He has also been released. Governor Umahi who said the safety of Journalists in the State could no longer be guaranteed by him noted that the people were angry with the Journalists and might begin to unleash mayhem on them if they continue to cause panic in the state. According to him, if you think you have the pen, we have the koboko.

His words: “I want to say that I am very displeased with the president and leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists and I am going to seize their allowances for two months because they have failed to discipline their members. “Ebonyi State is no longer a dumping ground. Only the other day, Chijioke Agwu (referring to The Sun Correspondent) wrote that Lassa Fever is killing Ebonyi people in droves and few days back, Mr Peter Okutu of Vanguard did his own. Okutu is fond of degrading Ebonyi State, and I don’t know why my officials have allowed him to continue to do that, because he is not from Ebonyi State. I want to ban him for life with Chijioke Agwu.

I don’t want to see them anywhere in any Government facility. “We are not begging you to give us good report, because the only person that gives good or bad report is God. We are all accountable to him. If you think that Ebonyi State is a dumping ground, try it again. “If you think you have a pen, we have the koboko. Let’s leave the Court alone. Ebonyi people are very angry with the press and let me warn that I won’t be able to control them or know when they unleash mayhem on you, if you continue to write to create panic in the State.