Edith CHUKU
A clergyman in Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Aniefiok Imeh Aaron, has declared support for the governor, Umo Eno’s position on the activities of masqueraders in the state.
In an interview with TNN on Friday, Aaron commended the governor’s decision, noting that most of the masqueraders were inflicting injury on residents and causing mayhem in their businesses.
This is coming as a court in Uyo ordered the release of a masquerader, Mr. David Effiong and mandated the government to pay damages for infringing on his fundamental human right and freedom of worship.
Effiong, a traditional worshipper, was arrested and detained by the Police and charged to court for allegedly disturbing public peace while participating in a masquerade.
In a ruling, the court affirmed the rights of the adherents of Ekpo, a traditional worship practice in Akwa Ibom State and ordered the immediate and unconditional release of Effiong.
Reacting to this, Aaron said, “biblically, fundamentally, humanly, we have freedom of everything; speech, worship, practice, we do but any form of practice that hinders or affects other peoples freedom is not acceptable.
“Those masquerades disturb people on the road, they flog, beat and harrash people, that is not worship, your religion should not affect the peace of others in anyway.
“My major concern is the way they behave. You can imagine them macheting that girl at Plaza which made the governor to place the ban.
“The governor’s action is very correct, I support it because of the action of the masqueraders.”
