Jungle justice: Edor people pledge not to take laws into their hands

The people of Edor in Ikom local government area of Cross River state have pledged to shun crime and abhor taking laws into their hands as they called for  renewed and continuous government attention in the area.

 This followed instances of the people meting out punishment in form of chaining a suspect to a drilled log, or sometimes moulded cement with holes whereof hands and feet of the suspect alleged to have violated a law, either customarily or that of the state, are chained into for several hours as they subject same to continuous torture for the purpose of confession and chastisement.    

This situation necessitated the creation of more magisterial districts across Cross River state by the then Chief Judge, Justice Michael Edem (rtd.) and the subsequent approved postings of magistrates and court officials to those districts.

The districts comprise of 8 clans namely: Abongork, Abanyom, Nnam, Nselle, Nta-East, Nta-West, Nde-Afi, and Nde-Ekam-Ntonofo, all forming the Ikom II state constituency in Ikom local government area of the state.

This was made known after the Senior Magistrate, Solomon Ayangkong Ikongshul, recently posted to the district, carried out a familiarisation visit.

During the visit, Mr. Ikongshul frowned at the detestable instances where  jungle justice will be tolerated in the district.

Regarding the instrument of torture, locally referred to as efung, Ikongshul said it is barbaric and a tool for flagrant disregard to human rights and rule of law.

He charged the people on the need to maintain cordial relationship with the Nigeria police and handover suspected persons apprehended to the latter for onward investigation and prosecution.

Responding, one of the clan heads, Chief Ejor Ngban appreciated the efforts of the state government for bringing the court to their door step, while recalling how in the past, litigants from the district would embark on a day’s journey ahead so as to avoid lateness to court and inevitable contempt proceedings of which many were victims, despite the travel factor.

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