The Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law, Monday Ubani, has threatened to sue the Federal Government if it bans cowhide, popularly called ponmo.
Ubani, in a statement issued on Wednesday, noted that ponmo “is the most common delicacy that is mostly enjoyed by the average citizen due to its affordability, and given that fish, meat and other sources of protein had become very expensive and thus unaffordable by the common man in the country.”
“The truth is that pọnmọ remains the most constant protein or meat-like substance in the common man’s stew and soups. While politicians and rich Nigerians as well as their families enjoy all manner of proteins in their sumptuous and mouth-watering meals that are the envy of the common man, they have become restless and jealous of the only meat-like item that the average citizen chews while eating his ‘meal of affliction.’ Such a government pronouncement and planned policy of banning pọnmọ cannot be fair and just. It is ill-advised and we reject it in its entirety.”
He said the government should be prepared for a prolonged legal battle upon the declaration of the ban.
