BREAKING NEWS: Order Buratai to produce Kanu dead or alive, Kanu’s lawyers asks court

• A team of lawyers representing the embattled leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, ‎IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to compel the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, to produce their client in court dead or alive.

Kanu’s lawyers, led by Mr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor, told the court that they have not seen or heard from their client since September 14 when the “Nigerian Army invaded the Applicant’s house on a murderous raid, where life and mortar bullets were fired on unarmed and defenseless populace, leaving 28 persons dead and abducting many”. 

Pursuant to section 40 of the Federal High Court Act, F12, LFN 2005 and section 6(6) (1) (4) of the 1999 constitution, as amended, Kanu’s lawyers applied for “an order of Habeas Corpus ad subjiciendum, commanding the Respondent, to produce the Applicant in Court”. 

The lawyers, in the suit that has Kanu as the Applicant and Buratai as Respondent, told the court that their request was predicated on the following grounds: “That the Applicant is the Leader of th IPOB, a group largely made up of People from South-Eastern part of the Country, mostly Biafra extraction; who are at all times materials lawfully exercising their constitutionally guaranteed rights to self determination, freedom of Association and peaceful Assembly. 

“The Applicant was arrested on the 14th day of October, 2015 and consequently arraigned in Court along other Defendants on the 20th day of January, 2016, on 11 (Eleven) Count charge of Treasonable felony, conspiracy to Commit treasonable felony, belonging to an unlawful society, importation of goods, publication of libelous matters, etc. Six out of this eleven count charge had since the 28th day of March 2017, been struck out by the Court, including allegation of belonging to an unlawful Society. 

“The Applicant was granted bail on the 25th day of April, 2017, by His Lordship Hon, Justice Binta Nyanko. The Applicant is still enjoying the bail granted him by the Court seized of the matter, when the Prosecution filed an application on the 25th day of August 2017, requesting the Court to revoke the bail granted the Applicant. e. Hearing on the matter is slated to commence on the 17th day of October, 2017. 

“On the 12th September, 2017, the Nigeria Military Soldiers acting under express command handed down by the Respondent, violently invaded the Applicant’s home in Afara-ukwu Ibeku, Umuahia Abia State, wherein scores of his relative were brutally wounded and many killed. 

“On 14th day of September, 2017, the Nigerian Military led by Soldiers of the Nigerian Army invaded the Applicant’s house on a murderous raid, where life and mortar bullets were fired on unarmed and defenseless populace, leaving 28 persons dead and abducting many. 

“The Applicant who was in the house during this bloody onslaught by the Soldiers, has not been heard from or seen after this bloody attack in his home by the Agents of the Respondent since the 14th day of September 2017. 

“That the invading Soldiers in their desperate bid to ensure that the Applicant is caught in the attack climbed stairs to his bedroom upstairs to shot him; walls of his bedroom were riddled with bullets. j.

The invading Soldiers who had direct contact with the Applicant on this fateful day (14th day of September 2017) should be in a position to produce the Applicant before the court. It is either the Respondent’s rampaging Soldiers abducted the Applicant during this raid or must have killed him in the process. 

“Section 40 of the Federal High Court Act empowers this Court to Order that a Writ of Habeas Corpus ad Subjiciendum; (A Writ directed to someone detaining another person and commanding that the detainee be brought to Court) be issued on the Respondent, to produce the Applicant in Court, particularly now his substantive criminal trial is coming up on the 17th day of October, 2017”. 

They maintained that the Court was vested with inherent powers Under Section 6(6) (a)- (d) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as (Amended 2011) to entertain the application and grant reliefs sought herein. 

Besides, in a supporting affidavit that was deposed by one Prince Mandela Umegborogu, he told the court that he was told by Kanu’s younger brother, Emmanuel, that on September 12, “Soldiers of Nigerian Army, numbering about 200 ( two hundred) fully armed to the teeth invaded the residential home of the Applicant in Afarauwku- Ibeku, Umuahia, in Abia State”. 

“That the invading Soldiers were deployed to the South-Eastern part of the Country by the Respondent in a covert operation tagged Operation Python dance II (Egwu eke II), an exercise exclusively under the Respondent’s command and control. 

“That the Soldiers who also drove in a purpose-built sophisticated armored personnel carrier, fired live bullets on the relatives of the Applicant, leaving scores brutally wounded, and arrested many. 

“That the said Military deployment to the South-East was approved, without any history of arms resistance by the Applicant’s members or combatant attacks on Military personnel and installation from the civilian populace. 

“That during the bloody attack/invasion of the Applicant’s home, scores were killed and others forced to abandon their sleep and run for cover in nearby bushes, which include nursing mothers, pregnant women, children and the aged. that on that same day, September 12, dozens of supporters of the Applicant who were on a courtesy visit to him, were also barricaded at Isialangwa and tortured on the same day. “That the Applicant was emotionally traumatized and visibly tortured on account of heavy causalities recorded in this unprovoked attack from the invading Soldiers. 

“That on September 14, the Nigerian Soldiers invaded the Applicant’s home for the second time, unfortunately on a brutal but murderous raid that left 28 (twenty eight) persons dead, and over 48 (forty eight) arrested and taken away to an unknown destination. 

“That the Applicant was sitting right inside his bedroom when the Soldiers invaded his home. “That the Soldiers in their desperate efforts to ensure that the Applicant who is their main target is gunned down, climbed the stairs to his bedroom upstairs to shot him. 

“That the wall of the Applicant’s bedroom is riddled with bullets holes till date. Attached and marked as Exhibits EK1, EK2, EK3, EK4, EK5 EK6, EK7 and EK8 are photographs showing with sufficient clarity the impacts of this assault on the Applicant’s home. 

“That the by virtue of this contact the soldiers had with the Applicant in his room on this 14th day of September 2017, the soldiers must know where the Applicant is, his fate and state of health”. He told the court that “the rampaging Soldiers”, busted into Kanu’s room in the course of the “bloody attack and shoot at everything on sight, including living objects”. 

Attached and variously marked Exhibits EK9, EK10, EK11, EK12, EK13 and EK14, in the suit, were photographs and video footage the deponent said was evidence of the “dastardly attack on the home of the Applicant, including the bullets holes in his bedroom”. 

He said: “That the trigger happy Soldiers shot sporadically into the air, for about forty minutes, before forcing their way into the Applicant’s house. “That the Applicant only managed to alert his Lawyer- Bar Ifeanyi Ejiofor on the war-like deafening sounds of guns, being fired into the air, which shooting was targeted at the unarmed and defenseless members of the Applicant’s household, and IPOB members who were on a visit to the Applicant’s house. 

“That his Lawyer Bar. Ifeanyi Ejiofor quickly issued a statement drawing the attention of the world to the bloody attack going on in the Applicant’s house, which statement was promptly published by reputable online media houses”. According to the affidavit, the soldiers took away many dead bodies and arrested over 48 persons. 

Kanu’s lawyers told the court that search so far conducted by the Applicant’s siblings had not been yielded any fruit, as the Applicant is still missing, adding that the palace of their aged father, housing the Applicant’s apartment, inclusive of the Applicant’s building, was shattered with mortar bullets. 

They told the court that they have made several entreaties to the Respondent to direct his Soldiers to release the Applicant or his body for a befitting burial if he was killed in the onslaught, saying their effort has not yielded fruit. According to them, Kanu was eagerly preparing to appear in court for his trial on October 17, before his house was invaded by soldiers, adding that he was never invited by any security Agency to respon to any criminal allegation, “before this unprovoked bloody assault in his home”. 

The affidavit further read: “That the murderous raid in the home of the Applicant is targeted at eliminating him and not to arrest him. “That if the intention of the Respondent was to arrest the Applicant, they would have quietly done that without killing unarmed and defenseless civilian populace found in the Applicant’s house. 

“That the Applicant and the members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) are non-violent and unarmed group, agitating for their right to self determination. “That the IPOB do not carry arms neither are they into any form of armed struggle, and do not have history of violence. 

That the present situation is serious, thus requiring the immediate intervention of this Honourable Court. “That unless this Honourable Court intervenes, and command the Respondent or its agents, privies, howsoever called, to produce the Applicant in Court they will still continue to keep the Applicant, without allowing him access to his family members and Solicitors”, it read.

Read More »

Nnamdi Kanu has used the language of the beasts to galvanize Nigerians … – Ubani

• Following the agitations for referendum by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, a security consultant, Chigozie Onyeukwu Ubani, has said that IPOB Leader, Nnamdi Kanu, has reawakened national consciousness on the urgent need to restructure Nigeria on the path on peace and justice.

Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu

In an interview with Vanguard in Aba, Ubani who is a security consultant, condemned the proscription and branding of IPOB as a terrorist organization and urged the federal government to tread with caution in order to avoid the IPOB crisis producing what he described as ‘unpleasant results.’

According to him, “Nnamdi has used the language of the beasts to galvanize Nigerians to a subject which notable Nigerians have unsuccessfully championed in the last 50 years. 

Don’t forget that the Aburi Accord was mostly about restructuring Nigeria. Let us now take it further for the benefit of posterity. Nnamdi Kanu has done his bit and has his place in history. 

“In my opinion, the Federal Government went about it wrongly because proscription is only on paper and not on the minds of the people, which incubates the liberation ideology. 

It is unfortunate that the federal government refused to look at the big picture and decided to play at the lowest strata of this impasse. This proscription can produce different results. 

It can cause IPOB activists to go underground, with grievous consequences for the nation state. It can also cause IPOB to restructure and become a more formidable and potent force, with better acceptability. 

I believe IPOB needs and will undergo restructuring. They need it as some of the insults and vituperations of other tribes where unnecessary for the struggle “However, IPOB lawyers have approached the court to seek reversal of such declarations and proscription. 

That bold legal step alone simply shows that the intent of setting up IPOB was neither criminal nor terrorist, but revolutionary. Let’s watch how the legal tussle goes, as the outcome will enrich our jurisprudence” He urged Ndigbo to build formidable bridges and friendship to succeed in Nigeria and blasted South East governors for their inability to handle the IPOB agitation. 

“I am one of those who have recently shown pity on the South East governors. Their hasty proclamation on IPOB was influenced by powerful interests. In fact, this is one reason that gave birth to IPOB. So they should watch it; as a new movement of Igbos may sweep them and their neo-colonial masters away. Igbo are lovers of good life and its appurtenances and can’t be terrorists.”

Read More »

Kanu, IPOB ignorant of Nigeria’s unity – Lai Mohammed

• The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is ignorant of the depth of unity in the diversity of Nigeria, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the minister of information and culture said today in his latest deconstruction of the group. 

• Mohammed stated this in Abuja when he featured on “Embelembe” a phone-in radio programme on 101.1 Human Rights Radio.

The Minister faulted the group over hate and divisive speeches by its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, the violent attack of the military and extortion of innocent Nigerian at illegal road blocks. Giving instances, the Minister said that the call by Kanu on the Igbo “not to attend any Church where the pastor is a Yoruba man” is premised on ignorance on the diversity of the country. Mohammed said that the Mountain of Fire Ministry established by an Igbo, has a Football Club owned by a Yoruba, with a coach from Igbo extraction and players across all the regions and tribes of the country.

 He stressed that Nigerians are so interwoven and united and a call for violent division would not succeed. Mohammed noted that the Federal government was not averse to agitation from any quarter provided it is carried out in a manner that would not result into violence and war.

He commended the military, the state governors particularly from the East and the North, the traditional rulers and religious leaders for their timely intervention to nip the crises started by IPOB’s in the bud. The Minister said the government of President Muhammadu Buhari is passionate about the plight of Nigerians and would not rest until it makes life easier for everyone.

He said as a listening government, the Buhari Administration is taking concrete steps to address the environmental degradation in the Niger Delta. Mohammed also disclosed that no fewer than three million pupils were being fed in 14 states while 30,000 cooks were engaged through the Federal Government feeding programme.

He enjoined Nigerians and followers of the programme to download his ministry’s information apps, “FGNiapp” to access authentic information, programmes and agenda of the government. The anchor of the programme, Ahmed Isa, popularly called “Ordinary President” said Nigeria’s unity is like a bunch of broom, the more and bigger it is, the better for the country.

He expressed worry over the dimension the IPOB protest was going, stressing that government must do all within its means to address it. Isa said: “The way things are going, I am not happy. “As I have always said to my brothers from the East, If you don’t know the proper way to claim your right it is likely to become a plight”.

Read More »

IPOB stands proscribed, terrorist group – FG

The Federal Government of Nigeria, Tuesday, threw its weight on the proscription of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and the categorisation of IPOB as a terrorist organisation by both the south-east governors and the Nigerian army, respectively, saying the activities of the group are similar to those of other terrorist groups.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed disclosed this on Tuesday when he appeared on a live TV programme “Good Morning Nigeria” on the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA).

According to him, the federal government equally knows the foreign countries supporting and funding the activities of IPOB in Nigeria and has kick-started steps at blocking IPOB’s funding.

Alhaji Lai Mohammed also said that IPOb has written to those foreign countries, lying to them that Nigeria is a country where Muslims persecute Christians and that in Nigeria, genocide is carried out by the state.

According to him, “There are a lot of arguments regarding the constitutionality of the action of the military and the South East governors. “People must realise that we are dealing with issue of national security and I do not think that the military and the governors should fold their arms while the country is set ablaze.

“I have heard a lot of comments as to whether the military has the right to declare IPOB, a terrorist group “What the military has done is to catalogue all the activities of IPOB, which are not different from that of terrorists groups,” he said. Mohammed said IPOB set up a para-military organisation, a parallel military group, Biafra Secret Service and Biafra National Guard. He said the group were attacking army installations and soldiers at check points, extorting money from innocent people. “IPOB activities are not jokes.

If there have not been the proactive actions on the part of the military and the South East governors, there would have been retaliations from other regions and the entire country will be set on fire. “We cannot be talking of semantics or procedure when the nation is moving towards crises and precipices. It is only in a Banana Republic that you can see non state actors doing what IPOB is doing. “The actions by the military and the governors should be seen from the perspective of ensuring internal security and averting chaos,” he said.

Recall that on Monday September 18th, 2017, the President of the Nigerian Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki had condemned the tagging of IPOB as terrorist organisation, saying it was unconstitutional. Saraki had also faulted the South-East governors for proscribing the activities of IPOB in the region. Recall that army’s Director of Defence Information, Major General John Enenche, had pronounced that IPOB was a terrorist organisation after a reported clash between military personnel and IPOB members in Umuahia, Abia state. Enenche had, during the pronouncement, given the following reasons for tagging IPOB a terrorist organisation; According to him, ““After due professional analysis and recent developments, it has become expedient to notify the general public that the claim by IPOB actors that the organisation is non-violent is not true.

“Hence, the need to bring to public awareness the true and current state of IPOB. “In this regard, some of their actions, clandestinely and actively, that have been terrorising the general public include: “The formation of a Biafra Secret Service, claimed formation of Biafra National Guard, unauthorised blocking of public access roads and extortion of money from innocent civilians at illegal road blocks. “Militant possession and use of weapons (stones, molotov cocktails, machetes and broken bottles, among others) on a military patrol on Sept. 10, 2017.

“Physical confrontation of troops by Nnamdi Kanu and other IPOB actors at a check point on Sept. 11, 2017 and also attempt to snatch their rifles. “Attack by IPOB members on a military check point on Sept. 12, 2017, at Isialangwa, where one IPOB actor attempted to snatch a female soldier’s rifle.’’ “From the foregoing, the Armed Forces of Nigeria wish to confirm to the general public that IPOB from all intent, plan and purpose as analysed, is a militant terrorist organisation.”

Alhaji Mohammed also reiterated his position that IPOB was being sponsored by the association of disgruntled politicians and treasury looters to discredit President Muhammad Buhari”s Administration. He admonished the media and opinion leaders to be circumspect in their publications and discussions on IPOB in order not to aggravate the crises the more.

“The kind of comments and headlines in the media as well as comments from certain quarters are the types that give oxygen and confidence to the IPOB. “They must exercise restraint because the only reason we practice our profession or be a commentator is simply because there is peace in the country,” he said.

Read More »

Terrorism Charge: Nnamdi Kanu Flees, Goes Into Hiding

• The founder of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, and top leaders of his group have gone into hiding following Friday’s declaration by the Nigerian Army that IPOB and other Pro-Biafran groups were terrorist organizations. 

• Investigations by SUNDAY PUNCH on Saturday revealed that Kanu and his top lieutenants had ‘disappeared’ from his country home in Afaraukwu near Umuahia and other places he frequently visited. His father, Eze Israel Kanu, is the traditional ruler of the town.

His father, Eze Israel Kanu, is the traditional ruler of the town.

Some IPOB members, who spoke on condition of anonymity explained that Kanu and others were advised to go underground following the declaration by the Army and the decision of the South-East governors to proscribe activities of pro-Biafra agitators in the region.

An IPOB member said, “We have to apply wisdom to whatever we are doing. We have realized that there is a grand conspiracy against Kanu and other top leaders of our group.

“Just imagine barely few hours after the Nigerian military declared members of IPOB and other pro-Biafran groups as terrorists, our own governors came up with their own outright ban of our activities.

“This definitely will give the soldiers and other security agencies the opportunity to arrest our leader and mount a deadly clampdown on all IPOB members. So, it is better to operate from a hideout for now.”

I can’t disclose my brother’s location — Kanu’s brother

When contacted on phone on Saturday, Kanu’s younger brother simply identified as Fine Boy, refused to tell SUNDAY PUNCH where his brother was, adding that only the IPOB leader could disclose his hiding place.

He said, “Only my brother can tell Nigerians where he is, I can’t. I don’t know why the Army should call IPOB a terrorist organization, it is out of their desperation to arrest Nnamdi and frustrate the Biafran struggle.  We have petitioned the United Nations and the European Union.

“The world knows that IPOB is a non-violent organization, we don’t carry arms, we don’t kill, and we believe violence can never solve any problem.

“Nnamdi will soon disclose his current location and IPOB will also react to the proscription of the group by the South-East governors’ forum.”

Security agencies comb South-East for Kanu, others

SUNDAY PUNCH investigations on Saturday also showed that security agencies were combing the South-East region in search of Kanu.

Findings by one of our correspondents in Abuja showed that the security agencies had been directed to arrest Kanu and other leaders of his group.

The directive to arrest the IPOB leaders was said to have been communicated to the leaders of the security agencies deployed in the region.

The security agencies that were given the directive, according to investigations, include the military, the police and the Department of State Services.

It was gathered that the government felt that it could be dangerous to leave Kanu a free man till the next adjourned date when his case would come up at an Abuja Federal High Court.

His case is said to be coming up later in October.

A top security source said, “We are seriously looking for him. He has a lot of things to explain to the government concerning his statements, actions, and activities.

“We can’t sit by and allow the security situation in the country to be compromised to the extent that an individual will be challenging the Federal Government.

“Government has to do something about an individual that is recruiting young people, giving them uniforms, arming them and referring to them as a secret service.

“We have been seizing arms and ammunition at the ports; we also need to know what they were meant for.

“This is someone who unilaterally said there would be no election in Anambra State and some people want us to allow him to continue with his activities?  No, we need to grow above our ethnic and tribal sentiments.”

South-East govs disloyal — IPOB

IPOB  on Saturday night condemned the South East Governor’s Forum over its proscription of IPOB’s activities. Its media and publicity secretary, Emma Powerful, said the speed with which the governors announced the proscription of IPOB activities showed that the governors were disloyal.

IPOB said, “We want to find out how the governors who do not know the foundations of IPOB, would make such a statement when they know that IPOB had staged 297 peaceful protests and rallies both at home and in Diaspora without a single record of violence or crime.

“With the record on ground, IPOB under Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, is one of the most peaceful organized freedom fighting group in the world today.  It is dangerous that the governors who are the chief security officers of their respective states in the zone would decide to hand over their people to the enemies who were out to kill, maim and destroy because of their selfish reasons.  We are also aware that late Chief Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu and General Philip Effiong protected their people during the first pogrom and ethnic cleansing from 1966’to 1970.

“These governors and their collaborators are in the forefront to eliminate our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and other peaceful members of IPOB. It is on record that IPOB activities are peaceful since the inception and nobody can prove where and how IPOB activities became violent overnight.

“The soldiers brought in to eliminate or murder our leader and IPOB members, including the innocent civilians across Biafra land, are still going from house to house picking anyone suspected to be IPOB or seen with any Biafra insignia. IPOB under Kanu must remain a nonviolent group in the pursuit of Biafra freedom, despite the high-handedness meted against IPOB members and our leader.”

Enforcement of ban will cause bloodshed, says MASSOB

The Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, on Saturday, said the South-East Governors Forum has no powers to proscribe the activities of pro-Biafra groups in the zone.

It warned that any attempt by the governors to enforce the proscription will lead to loss of lives.

MASSOB said the decision taken by the governors cannot stand.

National Director of Information, MASSOB, Samuel Edeson, in an interview with SUNDAY PUNCH in Enugu, described the pro-Biafra groups as independent associations of people whose rights to self-determination are backed by the United Nation’s Charter.

Edeson argued that the governors can only enforce the proscription after amending the laws of South-East states to criminalize self-determination.

According to him, “The governors said they will enforce the proscription, the only way they can do that is by using the shoot-on-sight approach which was started by the Buhari administration. In that case people will die.

“The fact is that MASSOB was never registered under the Nigerian government; neither did we registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission.

“We are an independent organization, we are freedom fighters — there is nowhere in the world where a self-determination group is proscribed.

“It (proscription) cannot stand; nobody can drive us away from our father’s land.”

Ohanaeze Ndigbo also faulted Nigeria army’s declaration of IPOB as a terrorist organization. Ohanaeze said, “IPOB is not a terrorist organization going by extant national and international laws, especially the terrorist prevention Act 2011, as amended in 2015.”

It, however, praised the South-East Governors for stopping the conflict in the region.  In a communique read by the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo, the group condemned the military operation in the zone and urged the army to terminate the exercise henceforth.

No going back on IPOB, others’ proscription – Govs

The Chairman of the South-East Governors Forum who is also the Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, has attributed the proscription of the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra to the agitation for secession by the group.

Umahi spoke in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, on Saturday while briefing journalists on the resolution of his colleagues on the activities of IPOB and the “Operation Python Dance” launched by the military in the South –East.

The governor insisted that the decision would be enforced in the five states.

He said, “The Igbo are not looking for secession at this time, it is not the solution to our problem. If we want Biafra, it is the leaders of the South-East that would be in the forefront of it, not any other person.

“The ideals and beliefs of IPOB have gone beyond the initial thought of IPOB leaders. Anybody can agitate but it must be devoid of insults from any sources.

“President Muhammadu Buhari has shown maturity in the handling of insults, there must be disagreement, but such disagreement must not degenerate to insulting the President of the country.”

Umahi said there was no way the South-East governors would have supported the activities of IPOB.

He said, “We have the people’s mandate, our task is to avoid shedding of blood and ensure a peaceful existence of our people.

“We had invited Nnamdi Kanu on two occasions, and he honored our invitation. We told him that he cannot be insulting President Buhari, it is not the solution to the problem of the South-East geopolitical zone of the country.”

On the allegations of torture allegedly committed by soldiers involved in the “Operation Python Dance” in Umuahia and  Aba, Umahi said the South-East Governors have set up a committee to investigate all the allegations.

He said, “We must reiterate that anybody found culpable will face the full wrath of the law and be prosecuted.”

Obasanjo’s advice on Kanu, personal opinion — Presidency

The Presidency has said that former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s recent comment on the Biafran agitation is his opinion.

Obasanjo was reported on Friday to have advised Buhari to invite  IPOB leaders for negotiations.

When asked on Saturday if Buhari would heed Obasanjo’s advice, the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said Obasanjo’s comment was not a law or a rule.

He said, “It is an opinion that he has proffered and when you proffer an opinion, it is not a law or a rule. It is now left for the person who was given the advice to consider it.”

Junaid, Balarabe berate Obasanjo

Meanwhile, two northern elder statesmen, Dr. Junaid Muhammed and Alhaji Balarabe Musa, have disagreed with Obasanjo over his comments on IPOB agitations, saying that the retired general lacked credibility.

The former president was quoted to have said the deployment of troops in the South- East was not the solution to the Biafran agitation. He also said Buhari should invite  IPOB leaders for negotiations.

Muhammed, a Second Republic lawmaker, said, “The statement credited to Obasanjo, if he, indeed, said so, must be condemned by all right-thinking Nigerians. It is irresponsible and demoralizing to the army and the police who are confronting terrorists wherever they are.

“It confirms that the ex-president is a hypocrite who is playing games with even the sacred ideals of our national existence.

“Obasanjo without recourse to parliament deployed Nigerian armed forces to Zaki Biam in Benue State and Odi in Bayelsa State.

“He did not seek any audience with those victims, and it is mischievous that the former president has now come up with some advice.”

Also, Balarabe Musa, former governor of old Kaduna State, said, “Obasanjo is not credible enough to give such advice. We are talking about a problem, but what did Obasanjo do when he was there?”

Similarly, the Arewa Consultative Forum on Saturday applauded northerners for maintaining peace and understanding in the face of provocation in the aftermath of the clash between the Nigerian Army and IPOB

The northern body through its National Publicity Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim Biu in a statement made available to journalists in Kaduna, also condemned the clash which led to the killing of some northerners in Rivers State.

The group commended the South-East governors on the ban placed on IPOB.

Afenifere seeks dialogue

On its part, the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, endorsed the call by Obasanjo that Buhari should negotiate with IPOB.

Afenifere said the Biafran agitations could only be resolved through dialogue, noting that after the civil war, the country still engaged in dialogue for national integration.

The Afenifere spokesman, Yinka Odumakin, said no step or effort that could douse the tension across the country and bring peace to the polity was too much to take.

He said, “We are for dialogue in Afenifere and support any effort that could lower tension in the country, efforts that would bring harmony and understanding.”

CAN president asks Buhari to dialogue with Kanu

The President of Christian Association of Nigeria Rev. Samson Ayokunle, has advised the Federal Government to invite the agitators for talks with a view to finding a lasting solution to the crisis.

He said, ‘’The best way to win is to have a dialogue table whereby the Federal Government should hold on to the superior argument. That is what can move us forward.”

Ayokunle, who is also the President, Nigeria Baptist Conference, said violent agitations would further compound the problems facing Nigeria.

The cleric spoke at the inauguration of the new gate of the Bowen University, Iwo in Osun State, and the inauguration of a radio station on the campus, 101.9 FM.

Ayokunle, therefore, urged IPOB and other groups to embrace dialogue, saying that was the only way their grievances could be made known legitimately.

IPOB activities within civil order — INC

The National President of Ijaw National Congress, the apex socio-cultural umbrella body for the Ijaw people, Dr. Boma Obuoforibo, on Saturday said the use of force to silence agitating youths in the South Eastern part of the country would not bring about peace.

Obuoforibo said although the Ijaw people don’t support the call for secession, the IPOB members by their activities, had not degenerated to the point of being branded as a terrorist group.

He said, “The constitution only allows police to handle civil matters. The army’s primary responsibility is for external aggression except the situation has degenerated to a stage when the army is advised to come in. Sending the army to a civilian population is not allowed.”

The Ijaw Youth Congress also appealed to Buhari to retract the appellation of terrorists recently given to IPOB members.

The IYC maintained that the right to peaceful agitation or assembly or peaceful quest to self-determination did not amount to an act of terrorism.

Making reference to the Terrorism Prevention Act, 2011 as amended, the spokesman of the group, Mr. Henry Iyalla, said it was wrong of the Nigerian Army to tag IPOB members as terrorists without following the dictates of the Act.

Security beef up in Bauchi,  calm in Ebonyi, Enugu, Owerri

Security has been beefed up in Bauchi State in view of the uprising and the clash between soldiers and IPOB members which has caused tension in many cities across the North.

The development, SUNDAY PUNCH learnt, was to forestall any breakdown of law and order in the State.

Our correspondent observed the movement of combined teams of armed security agencies in Hilux vehicles numbering over 20.

The team comprised personnel of the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Air Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Department of State Services and the Federal Road Safety Corps.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Bauchi State Command, Kamal Abubakar, said the command was battle-ready.

He said, “In view of the ongoing security situation in the country especially the operation in the South-East and security reports coming from neighboring Plateau State on pockets of crises, the Bauchi State Command is ready.”

But residents of Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, have been going about their legitimate and lawful businesses without any fear of molestation.

Abakaliki, Afikpo, Onueke and Ohaozara remained calm and have not witnessed the presence of military personnel since the military show of might started in the Sout-East.

One of our correspondents observed on Saturday that there was still a heavy presence of soldiers and policemen at strategic locations in Umuahia, the Abia State capital.

On Eket Street, where the Umuahia Central Mosque is located, soldiers were seen guarding the building with a military van stationed at one end of the road.

Turkey disowns citizen supporting Biafran agitation

The Embassy of the Republic of Turkey in Nigeria has said it was committed to the territorial integrity and political unity of the country.

It denied supporting the secessionist agitations in the country and further disowned a Turkish citizen, Abdülkadir Erkahraman, who has been drumming support for the Biafran agitation.

He has also posted videos online accusing President Buhari of committing genocide.

But the mission in a statement on Saturday said Erkahraman is not a Turkish diplomat or an official representative of the Turkish government.

Read More »

Breaking News: Many injured as troops attack Kanu’s home

• SCORES of youths were allegedly injured, yesterday, as gunmen suspected to be soldiers, who came in Hilux Pick-up vans, allegedly attacked the Umuahia country home of leader of  Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

The IPOB claimed, last night, that five people were killed and about 30 others were injured in the attack.

However, videos of the clash showing clubs and stone-wielding youths, who clashed with the troop, indicated that scores were injured. One of the youths, who was shot on his right thigh was seen battling for life as his colleagues administered first aid. IPOB Media and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful, told Vanguard that the attackers wore army and police uniforms and drove into the palace of the traditional ruler of Afaraukwu, who is the father of Nnamdi Kanu and started shooting people. 

He said in a statement: “We did not clash with anybody or group. The attackers wore Nigerian soldiers and Nigeria Police uniforms and came to kill our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, in his compound at Afaraukwu, Umuahia and started shooting sporadically and killed five people and up to 30 other people had bullet wounds. 

After attacking our people, they drove off. They came in five Hilux vans.” Meanwhile one of the allegedly wounded IPOB members was taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, where doctors were battling to save his live. A doctor on duty at the emergency unit of the hospital said the IPOB member sustained gunshot injury at “the thigh region.” We neither attacked nor killed anyone — Army However, a statement signed by Major Oyegoke Gbadamosi, Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 14 Brigade Nigerian Army said: “The attention of 14 Brigade Nigerian Army, has been drawn to fictitious news going round especially on the social media that troops have invaded the home of Nnamdi Kanu and killed three persons. 

“This is far from the truth. Rather, it was a group of suspected IPOB militants that blocked the road against troops of 145 Battalion while on show of force along FMC-World Bank Road in Umuahia town, Abia State at about 6.00-6.30pm, today (yesterday). 

“They insisted that the military vehicles would not pass and started pelting the soldiers with stones and broken bottles to the point of injuring an innocent female passerby and a soldier, Corporal Kolawole Mathew. “The troops fired warning shots in the air and the hoodlums dispersed. No life was lost. 

“Therefore, the public are kindly enjoined to disregard the rumours going round and the fictitious photographs of purported victims of attack. “Both the soldier and the innocent female passerby have been evacuated to the unit’s Medical Inspection Room and are receiving treatment.

 “We would like to use this opportunity to warn mischief makers threatening the peace and security of the country through falsehood such as above. Members of the public are please requested to go about their lawful business and report any suspicious activity to the nearest police station or security.” 

Ohanaeze, ECA, MASSOB react Contacted on the issue, President-General of Ohanaeze, Chief John Nnia Nwodo, declined comments until after consulting with the Abia State Chairman of Ohanaeze and other Igbo leaders. Secretary of the Eastern Consultative Assembly, Evangelist Elliot Uko, wondered if the attack was a prelude to the Operation Python Dance 11 that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Tukur Buratai, has planned to carry out in the South-East. 

‘’We (ECA) are warning that if the Army did not fish out the culprits who shot at the residence of Nnamdi Kanu, it will be setting a motion for uncontrollable crisis that will overwhelm the country. ‘’The idea of going to shoot at Nnamdi Kanu’s residence will only deepen the anger and bitterness in the land. This will be idiotic and counter-productive,’’ he said. Reacting to the development, Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, said the attack was another attempt by the Chief of Army Staff to intimidate the people with an army of occupation. 

MASSOB leader, Comrade Uchenna Madu, who frowned at the development, called on President Muhammad Buhari and the Chief of Army Staff to order the withdrawal of soldiers from the South East without further delay or be prepared to face legal action for alleged violation of human rights. MASSOB said: ‘’President Buhari should understand that Nigeria as a signatory and member of United Nations and African Nation on human and people’s right which is enshrined in human and people rights charter, should stop violating peoples right in the name of giving security where there is no threat to security. 

“The operation python dance or Egwu-eke in Biafran land is act of frustration from Nigerian government and the Chief of Army Staff, who has failed to capture the Boko-Haram leader, Shekau on the stipulated date given to him. “General Tukur Buratai has never deemed it fit to launch operation ‘machiji or kunama meaning operation snake bite or scorpion sting respectively against the Hausa/Fulani herdsmen who went about killing people, raping women and young girls, setting people’s houses ablaze; instead, he is coming to Biafra land to launch unnecessary security operation that is needless due to no threat to security. 

“This All Progressives Congress, APC-led government is full of dictators and human right violators. We cannot run away from our fathers’ land, no amount of military and police deployment will deter us from pursuing our legitimate right for self determination which is Biafra actualization. “It is unfortunate that Chief of Army Staff and his troop have failed to restore peace in North East where Boko-Haram has been in control for many years now. 

‘’Nigerian security agents have failed to arrest Alhaji Yerima Shetima of Arewa youths and the sponsors for the quit notice they issued to Ndigbo, yet they are busy hunting for those that are not hunting them or disturbing them in any way.”

 Police confirm clash The Abia police commissioner, Leye Oyebade, who confirmed the incident, said in a text message that: “I have just spoken to the C.O. [Commanding Officer]. He said a repaired Military armoured vehicle was used to patrol the Umuahia metropolis. 

I gathered that they were shooting sporadically, which led to the IPOB group wielding daggers, throwing broken bottles at them. “Unfortunately, a police man on guard duties going to work was macheted by the IPOB group, while a soldier and a civilian were equally injured. 

All are being treated in the Police Clinic for minor injuries sustained. Normalcy has since been restored.” The alleged invasion of Kanu’s home came barely two days after the Army announced a deployment of troops to the region on a special operation it called Operation Python Dance II. Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, who disclosed this, last Friday, at a press conference, hinted also that the exercise, code-named Python Dance II, would be in five South Eastern states of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo. According to the Army boss, who was represented on the occasion by the Chief of Training and Operations, Maj. Gen D.D Ahmadu, the exercise will be conducted in 82 Division area of responsibility of those five states and the exercise is scheduled to take place from September 15 to October 14, 2017. Buratai said the objective of the exercise was to effectively contain the reported cases of kidnapping and other vices prevalent in the South East every Yuletide season. 

“The need for troops to be exercised, refreshed and imbibe the requisite skills to cope with these emerging security challenges within the 82 Division area of responsibility in aid of civil authority necessitates this exercise, “he added. According to him, emphasis will be placed on raids, cordon and search operations, anti-kidnapping drills, road blocks, check points, patrols, humanitarian relief activities such as medical outreach and show of force to curb the rising threat to national security in the South Eastern part of the country.”

 “Exercise EGWU EKE II has become more expedient due to the mindless assassinations (even in religious places), attacks on security personnel and theft of weapons, kidnappings, armed banditry and violent agitations by secessionist groups, amongst other crimes that have recently bedevilled the region.

 “It is pertinent to mention that the security, safety and well-being of innocent and law-abiding citizens of the states mentioned above have been adequately factored into the planning of the exercise. Thus, the rights of individuals as enshrined in the constitution would be respected and safeguarded. 

“Additionally, EGWU EKE II is also conceptualized to transit into real time operations, thereby fulfilling both training and operational objectives of sharpening operational skills of personnel as well as providing an avenue to conduct operations against violent criminals and agitators when called upon. “As precursor to a peaceful ‘ember’ period and yuletide, provision has already been made for the smooth conduct of the exercise.

EGWU EKE II will be unique with the establishment of Brigade Headquarters in each of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States. “It is noteworthy to mention that EGWU EKE II is set to be another epoch making activity that would make the nation proud of the Nigerian Army’s determination at sustaining its constitutional role of defending the territorial integrity of the nation as well as its commitment to aid the civil authority to bring about peace and security in the south eastern part of our dear country in particular, and the entire nation in general,” he said. 

He, therefore, advised members of the public, especially residents of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states not to panic as their safety and well-being was guaranteed at all times. A similar exercise was conducted  between November 27 and December 27, 2016.

Read More »

BREAKING NEWS: Buhari orders Service Chiefs to tackle IPOB’s secret army, Boko Haram, others

• Chief of Defence Staff, Abayomi Olonisakin, has revealed that the issues of the alleged Secret Service of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Boko Haram menace and the various security threats plaguing the country were among what was discussed at the closed-door meeting between President Muhammadu Buhari and the Service Chiefs.

He said President Buhari has given some directives including tackling the threats, which, he said, would be carried out by the military and the security agencies soon. Recall that a video recently in circulation captured Nnamdi Kanu inspecting a uniformed group said to be Biafra’s Secret Service (BSS).

Nnamdi Kanu and Biafra Service

The meeting between President Buhari and the national security council lasted three hours at the President’s residence in Abuja. Olonisakin said that Buhari was briefed on issues such as Biafra agitation, Boko Haram, kidnappings and quit notice.

“We have been meeting with Mr. President for the last three hours. We updated him on all security issues around the country, within the country and outside the country, where our troops are.” “Of course, we have just updated him because he is aware of what’s been happening.

He has been receiving regular briefings from the acting president and he has also been going through the print media and electronic media to follow the happenings in the country. “After the meeting, he has directed on some areas we should look at so as to enhance our operations in the country.”

“The issues of security, every security threat, all security threats were treated one after the other ranging from terrorism to kidnapping, herdsmen/farmers clash, to IPOB issue.” “In his address to the nation, he talked about the unity of the nation which is non-negotiable.

We have all been fully instructed to ensure that that directive is carried out to the letter,” he said. “We are going to enhance our operations in all the areas we need to do that. Like I said, he has given the necessary directives which will be carried out by the military and the security agencies.”

Those who attendedthe meeting were all the service chiefs, National Security Adviser, retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno and Director-General, Department of State Security, Alhaji Lawal Daura. The Service Chiefs at the meeting were the Chief of Defence, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin; Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar; and Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Ibot-Ete Ibas.

Read More »

NEWS: Kanu tackles Osinbajo, says his view on Biafra agitation faulty, misconceived

• Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, on Wednesday, tackled the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, for declaring the Biafran agitation as unconstitutional. Kanu, in a world press conference he held through his team of lawyers in Abuja, maintained that Osinbajo’s view about Biafra was “patently misconceived and inherently faulty”, despite his rank as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

In a statement signed by his lawyer, Mr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor, Kanu, insisted that “extra judicial remarks” Osinbajo made before the Igbo Council of Traditional Rulers, in reference to Biafran agitation, was offensive to section 2 of the 1999 constitution, as amended. 

The statement read in part: “We are presently drifting into the narrative that had hitherto kept our client in unlawful incarceration for 18 months, in clear breach of positive orders of court that directed for his unconditional release. 

Unhealthy interference by the Executive Arm in the matter before the Court, vide pronouncements capable of putting fears in the court is a case in point. “This is evident in the recent extra judicial remarks by the Acting President, clearly contained in his presentation before the Igbo Council of Traditional Rulers, that the agitation for Biafra is unconstitutional as it offends section 2 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, 2011, and consequent threat of arrest and imprisonment of those that exercise their unquestionable and inalienable rights to self determination. 

“This declaration is respectfully considered as not only provocative, and unacceptable, but a clear case of undue interference with judicial process, which have the capacity of distorting the mindset of the Judicial Officer seized of our client’s case.

 “It is important to remind the Acting President that our client’s present political trial originated from his legitimate exercise of his constitutionally guaranteed rights to self determination as clearly provided for under extant laws, and international instruments/covenants.

 “It is therefore reasonably expected that any of such extra judicial remarks, should not emanate from the revered office of the Acting President. 

“With due reverence to the Acting President, and his rank as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, we deem it obligatory to state the correct position of the law as it relates to his faulty position. “We observed most respectfully that the learned silk made this remark in direct response to Quit Notice threats and ultimatum handed down to Igbos living in the Northern part of the counter, by a faceless and uninformed group, going by the name of Arewa Youths Consultative Forum. 

“But it most be noted very humbly that it is a mistake to equate the lawful and legitimate aspirations and agitations for Biafra with the lawful, illegal and illegitimate Quit Notice, and threat given to the Igbo People to leave the North by this group.

 “We submit most humbly that the right to self determination, recognizable under various instruments which Nigeria is a State Party is clearly provided for under Article 20(1) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) ( Act Cap 10) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990. “This law provides thus: Article 20 (1) ‘All Peoples shall have right to existence. They shall have the unquestionable and inalienable rights to self determination.

 They shall freely determine their political status and shall pursue their economic and social development according to the policy they have freely chosen’. “The above law has been in force in our jurisdiction since 1990 having been ratified vide Ratification and Enforcement Act, Laws of Federation. It is our respectful view that the declaration by the Acting President that Biafran agitation is unconstitutional, is with due respect patently misconceived and inherently faulty.

 “It is on this note that we most respectfully call on the Acting President to be more circumspect in his further remarks as it relates to a substantive charge before the court. 

There is need for total restraint, from comments, pronouncements and declarations that have the effect of distorting the pendulum, one way or the other, particularly on this phantom criminal charge”. Besides, Ejiofor who briefed newsmen alongside counsel to Kanu’s co-defendants, Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu, David Nwawuisi and Bright Chimezie, accused the federal government of deliberately stalling frustrating full-blown hearing on the treasonable felony charge against the defendants. 

According to him, rather than to open its case on June 22, FG, served an amended five-count charge on the defendants, “in clear breach and violation of an order the court made on April 25, 2017, wherein his Lordship warned, that the court will not entertain further interlocutory application or process capable of delaying the trial”.

 He alleged that FG joined the 5th defendant, Chimezie, in the case after a Federal High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State had on May 24, not only ordered the Department of State Service to release him forthwith, but equally directed that he should be paid N5million as damages for his illegal detention. Consequently, Kanu and his co-defendants, demanded an immediate withdrawal of the amended five-count charge against them, saying they have not committed any offence that is known to law.

Read More »

BREAKING NEWS: Order Kanu’s arrest for threatening Nigeria’s existence, Arewa youths tell Osinbajo

• As the tension generated by the quit notice handed Igbo in the north is yet to settle, Arewa youths on Thursday stirred another controversy by asking the Presidency to order the immediate arrest and detention of the self-acclaimed Biafran leader, Nnamdi Kanu, over what they called threats to Nigeria’s corporate existence.

Addressing a news conference in Abuja, the Speaker of the Arewa Youth Assembly, AYA, Mohammed Salihu and the Clerk, Desmond Minakaro, accused the federal government of aiding and abetting the IPOB leader to breach the bail conditions handed him by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja and inciting Nigerians against the government at major rallies in the South South and South East states.
The Northern youth leaders wondered why the government has allowed Kanu to grow wings and threaten national peace and security with inciting statements capable of destroying the country without calling him to order.
The Arewa youths said it was disappointing that despite the clear bail conditions reeled out by Justice Nyako, Kanu had brazenly violated all including the ban on organising rallies and press conference and being with any crowd of more than ten persons at any time.
 The youth leaders said, “The Leadership of Arewa Youth Assembly has observed with keen interest the high level of lawlessness exhibited by Nnamdi Kanu since he was granted bail in June this year and the conspiracy of silence displayed by the federal government and its security agencies in the face of such affront by the IPOB leader. No doubt, this lawlessness is capable of disintegrating this country.
 “The level of insecurity and youth agitations calls for concern by all well meaning Nigerians. These threats have turned our country in a place of uncertainty and now a laughing stock within the international communities.
 Nigerians now live in a state of fear and trauma for the fear of the unknown. “Any nation or institution which cannot abide by its own laws, rules and regulations is bound to fail and not worthy of being a nation or institution. It is on record that a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja presided by Honourable Justice Binta Nyako on the 28th April, 2017, granted bail to one Mr. Nnamdi Kanu on health grounds with about 12 conditions attached to his Bail.
 “Gentlemen of press, you will all agree with us that the said Nnamdi Kanu has openly violated his bail conditions, chief among which are that he should not address a press conference; a rally and should not be in a gathering of not more than ten persons.
 “The most surprising and amazing of this is that the Federal Government is watching while Nnamdi Kanu is creating a state within a State, threatening to stop Anambra State gubernatorial election by holding rallies in South South and South East states and using provocative and inciting words, granting interviews to the press, which pose a threat to national unity and security.
“This level of lawlessness has left us with no option than to doubt the ability of our Acting President to successfully preside over the affairs of our country. Our Acting President seems to be under the control of some cabals when it comes to decision-making.
 “We therefore, wish to advise the Acting President to sit up and be in firm control of the government of Nigeria and begin to address the myriads of issues threatening the unity of this great nation,” the Arewa youths said.
The youths said they were planning a national peace summit in Abuja early next month as a means of bringing together youths from all parts of the country to brainstorm on the way forward for Nigeria instead of seeking to divide the nation for selfish interest.

Read More »

BIAFRA: Uwazurike tackles Kanu

• I assured Ojukwu MASSOB will never resort to violence and that there would be no war again in Nigeria 

• MASSOB has gone beyond marching on the streets to  diplomatic moves

Chief Ralph Uwazurike, the founder of the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB is unhappy and that may not be unconnected with the fact that he, of recent, is being relegated to the background on the issue of Biafra agitation. 

The man of the moment, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who Uwazurike said he employed and handed over the Radio Biafra he set up as part of the agitation process, has been getting all the attention of late. Uwazurike is also worried that many people, including the media, had not appreciated his sacrifices towards the actualization of Biafra.

 But he insists that only his style of approach can lead to the actualization of Biafra, describing as an act of wickedness, the insinuation that he was a sell-out on the issue of the struggle. Since the launching in Aba, Abia State in 1999, MASSOB under Uwazurike continually alleged mass arrests and killings of its members by government forces. 

He had also consistently embarked on programmes aimed at actualizing Biafra and was indeed the arrow head of the agitation. For the first 10 years of the formation of MASSOB by Uwazurike, the body and its members/supporters were very active but non-violent. For instance, in May 2008, MASSOB released a list of 2,020 members alleged to have been killed by security agents since 1999. 

Uwazuruike was arrested on several occasions and charged with treason. In 2011, he and 280 MASSOB members were arrested in Enugu while attending a function in honour of late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu. Few days later, however, former President Goodluck Jonathan ordered Uwazuruike’s release, as well as all other MASSOB members in detention. MASSOB thereafter launched the Biafran passport in 2009 as part of the program to celebrate its 10th anniversary and Uwazuruike, said the introduction of the Biafran passport was in response to persistent demands from Biafrans in Diaspora In 2005, MASSOB re-introduced the old Biafran currency into circulation. 

This sparked a lot of excitement at the time especially as one Biafran pound was said to exchange for two hundred and seventy naira at the border communities of Togo and the Republic of Benin. In February 2013, MASSOB claimed that several corpses found floating in the Ezu River on the boundary of Enugu and Anambra States were those of its members previously arrested by the police. 

The group claimed that the police routinely executed MASSOB members without proper trial. On September 13, 2015 police in Anambra state arrested about 25 MASSOB members who were marking their 16th anniversary and one of them was shot. At St Charles Lwanga Catholic Church Okpoko,18 members were arrested and one shot and at Iba Pope Catholic Church, while at Awada, 11 members of MASSOB were arrested. At Awka, two MASSOB members were arrested by the police. 

On May 31, 2013, Uwazurike’s MASSOB was branded as one of three extremist groups threatening the security of Nigeria. In fact former President Goodluck Jonathan declared that the Nigerian state faced three fundamental security challenges posed by extremist groups which he listed as Boko Haram in the North; the MASSOB in the South-East; and the Oodua People’s Congress OPC, in the South-West..

 But following his disagreement with a section of MASSOB members, the bubble burst and the man, who was almost invincible in the Biafra agitation, started receiving knocks from people who hitherto, were adoring him. One of the allegations was that he abandoned some MASSOB members who were incarcerated in various Nigerian prisons. 

He however defended himself, saying such a thing never happened. He told Saturday Vanguard: “The impression being created was that someone paid me to stop the struggle. This is unfair. Or do people expect me to start fighting Nnamdi Kanu? Or do people think you are fighting for Biafra when you kneel down in public places to make show?   How can anybody hold the view that I am a sell-out? “I set up Radio Biafra in 1999 and handed it over to Nnamdi Kanu for the good of the struggle, but what did I get in return? Someone I employed used the radio station I set up to blackmail me. 

Where did I go wrong? And if you were to be Uwazurike, what will you do under such a situation? If I didn’t set up MASSOB, how could Nnamdi Kanu have had a platform to start what he is doing?” Stressing that his approach to the struggle is what would ultimately lead to the actualization of Biafra, Uwazurike added: “On May 22nd, we organized a ceremony in which over one million people participated in Onitsha and other cities and this was reported by the media. It was the same in Aba, Enugu, Owerri and other cities, yet people are saying that I am backsliding or that I am a sell-out. 

“Do you also know that I built 20 houses at Okwe, Imo State, for the wounded Biafra soldiers who were begging for alms at Oji River and I pay them salary every month? Today, there are no more Biafra soldiers begging for alms at that spot. 

“Only last month, I risked my life to travel to the North for the sake of Biafra and I was at Arewa House in Kaduna where I met people, yet the media and Igbo people do not appreciate my sacrifices. How would you feel if you were to be in my position?” Uwazurike, who led a delegation of Igbo leaders from the South East, told some youth groups at the Arewa House in Kaduna that MASSOB had pursued the path of peace since its creation in 1999 and would continue to do so.

 He continued: “Self-determination without violence is a fundamental right, we must strive against sowing the seed of discord  but do all that will promote peace and justice in Nigeria. 

There is a gap in communication from our leaders which needs to be bridged, hence we are meeting with notable leaders in the north to persuade them that there is no cause for alarm, “We have overgrown the era of marching the streets with Biafran flags.

 MASSOB is now consolidating on building structures and diplomatic negotiations with other countries, recalling that there was a re-declaration of Biafra on May 22nd, 2000, submission of Biafra Bill of rights to United Nations and his attendance of OAU Summit in Lome, Togo in 2000, among other achievements..

 “MASSOB existed for 18 years without violence and in 2009, I went to London and opened Radio Biafra and handed it over to Nnamdi Kanu as the director. Soon afterwards, politicians hijacked him, and he started working for them. 

“The radio that was meant to educate our people and advise our people was turned into a source of hate messages, blackmail, intimidation and others.

 The resultant effect was that the northern youths came up to challenge us, to say that they are not happy with the hate messages and the insults they receive from the same radio.

 “The main purpose of floating the organization called MASSOB was not to cause crisis in Nigeria. I assured the late Odumegu Ojukwu when he was alive that there would be no other civil war in Nigeria. 

Because he, Ojukwu, was so concerned and wanted some measure of assurance from me that MASSOB would not cause problems in Nigeria, I gave him that assurance.”

Read More »

BIAFRA: Pro-Biafra groups disagree with Kanu, insist on holding Anambra gov election on Nov 18

• Despite the decision by the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, that his group would boycott the November 18 governorship election in Anambra state, unless a referendum was held for Biafra restoration before then, various stakeholders and various pro-Biafra groups have taken a contrary decision to that effect.

Kanu looking at his supporters from his balcony at his palace

Political Matters and the governor’s Liaison Officer to the Biafra War Veterans, Comrade Arinzechukwu Awogu in Awka, weekend, the pro-Biafra groups contended that the South-East governors must not take the quit notice given to Ndigbo with a kid’s glove, hence the need to start putting enablers in place in case of any eventuality.

Current travails of Ndigbo The groups comprising a faction of IPOB; Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB; Biafra Liberation Council, BLC; Eastern Peoples Congress, EPC; Biafra Solidarity Movement, BSM; Biafra Revolutionary Organization, BRO; Joint Revolutionary Organization, JRO; World Union of Biafran Scientists, WUBS; Biafra Liberation Crusaders, BLC, Biafra Students Union, BSU; Salvation of Peoples of Biafra, SPB; Costumary Government of Biafra, CGB; Council of Elders Indegenous People of Biafra, CEIPB; Bilie Human Rights Initiative, BHRI; Biafan Government in Exile, BGIE; Ohaneze Ndigbo, OTU Suwakwa Igbo among numerous others.

President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Anambra State chapter, Chief Damian Okeke Ogene who spoke at the meeting, advised Ndigbo to face the current travails of Ndigbo with caution, adding that Ndigbo need to use their brains and intellect now more than ever as Nigeria of today has not treated Ndigbo fairly.

Pro - Biafra group meeting

They said their decision to hold a contrary view was predicated on the need for Ndigbo to have unity of purpose, be their brothers’ keepers and ensure urgent development of the region to carter for the needs of her citizens. Rising from their crucial meeting convened by the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Willie Obiano on

Okeke-Ogene cautioned against call for election boycott and said that Ohanaeze Ndigbo is leaving no stone unturned in the quest for Ndigbo to start implementing the think-home philosophy as espoused by Governor Willie Obiano, even as he regretted that the social media has been used to over heat the polity in recent times, especially the issue of no election in Anambra state

 Also speaking, the founder of OTU Suwakwa Igbo, Professor Pita Ejiofor noted that boycotting of an election is an evil wind that blows no one any good, pointing out that Ndigbo are still suffering from partial boycott of the 2006 national census which some people refused to be counted. Ejiofor, therefore, advised the pro-Biafra groups to drop calls for election boycott so as not to give the enemy reasons to decimate our people again. He made reference to Dr. Michael Okpara’s boycott of 1964 election and the unpleasant consequences that followed it.

 The Biafra War Veterans, speaking through its image maker, Major Ikechukwu Nwalunor (retd) said that they were happy to be part of discussions and decisions on the way forward as they have a lot to contribute as people who fought the war and are still alive today, adding that Biafra is a must-achieve but election boycott is anathema and called for a rethink. Comrade Uchenna Madu, the MASSOB leader, in his address to the meeting said that while other groupings in Nigeria were alluding to separation that the Southeast leaders met at Enugu and said that they stand for united Nigeria and stressed that it is comments like that that create gulf between the so called leaders of the region and pro-Biafra groups. Pragmatic solution He, however, said that Anambra election is no issue compared to the October 1 quit notice, adding that there is still enough time to mend issues about election boycott. He assured that all the pro-Biafra groups will speak on the issue when the time is ripe.

 Earlier in his remarks, the convener, Awogu noted that the meeting was called to take a critical look at the current state of Ndigbo in the entity called Nigeria, the recent quit notice given to Ndigbo in the northern part of the country and the forthcoming Anambra state governorship election which has been generating heat, with a view to proffering a pragmatic solution that will be acceptable and beneficial to Ndigbo. Comrade Awogu also noted that the meeting agreed in principle that Anambra State governorship polls will hold as scheduled.

“But that we should not forget that October 1 date (quit notice) will come first before November 18 event (Anambra election), so we should be wary of October 1 deadline affecting the November 18 election and not the call for election boycott by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.”

He said, “supposing the threat (quit notice) is carried out on October 1, its impact and corresponding multipliers could likely snowball, God forbid, into what may in itself have grave consequences on the November election. Many have not thought along that direction but are rather preoccupied with the imaginary call for the Anambra State election boycott. Let us wriggle out of the threat posed by October 1, then see whether election will not hold in Anambra state the succeeding month.”

Read More »

BIAFRA: Court shifts resumption of Kanu, others trial to Oct 17

• The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Tuesday, fixed October 17 to begin full-blown hearing into the treasonable felony charge the Federal Government entered against the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu. FG is prosecuting Kanu alongside three other pro-Biafra agitators- Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi.

Their trial which was originally billed to commence this week, was shifted till October considering that the high court has embarked on its annual vacation. 

The prosecution had in the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015, alleged that Kanu, being the leader of IPOB, conspired with his co-defendants and others now at large, on diverse dates in 2014 and 2915, in Nigeria and London, to broadcast on Radio Biafra monitored in Enugu and other areas, preparations for states in the South-East and South-South zones and other communities in Kogi and Benue states, to secede from the Federal Republic of Nigeria, with a view to constituting same into a Republic of Biafra. 

The defendants were said to have committed an offence punishable under section 41(c) of the Criminal Code Act, CAP. C38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. Though trial Justice Binta Nyako had in a ruling on April 25 released Kanu on bail after he had spent a year and seven months in detention, the court however okayed his co-defendants to remain in prison custody. 

Justice Nyako said her decision to release Kanu who is the 1st defendant, on bail, was on health ground. She cited an affidavit that was attached to a bail application Kanu filed through his lawyer, Mr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor. However, the IPOB leader was compelled to produce three sureties, including “a jewish leader” and a “highly placed person of Igbo extraction”, who all deposited N100million each before he was granted temporary freedom by the court.

 He was formally released to Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, a Jewish High Chief Priest, Immanuu-El Shalom and a Chartered Accountant residing in Abuja, Mr. Tochukwu Uchendu, on April 28. As part of his conditions for bail, Kanu was expressly barred by the court from attending any rally or granting any form of interview.

 “I must stress it here that the defendant must not attend any rally. He must not be in a crowd exceeding 10 persons”, the Judge warned. Justice Nyako held that Kanu who was arrested by security operatives upon his arrival to Nigeria from the United Kingdom on October 14, 2015, must sign an undertaken to make himself available for trial at all times. He was further ordered to surrender his Nigerian and British international passports, even as the court compelled FG to return to him, his wedding ring and reading glasses. Nevertheless, Kanu’s co-defendants were denied bail by the court which described charges against them as “very serious”. 

Justice Nyako said the fact that she earlier struck out terrorism charges FG slammed against the defendants did not water-down seriousness of the charge of treasonable felony against them. The court had in a ruling on March 1, struck out six out of eleven count charges FG initially entered against Kanu and the others.

 Six of the charges were struck out on the premise that they were not supported by the proof of evidence FG adduced before the court. 

The court also rejected FG’s claim that the defendants were members of an illegal organisation. Justice Nyako said the fact that IPOB was not an organisation registered in Nigeria did not make it an illegal society. Kanu who was hitherto the Director of Radio Biafra and Television, had through his lawyers, insisted that IPOB was duly registered in over 30 countries including the United Kingdom. He had on December 12, 2016, threatened in the open court that he would in the course of the trial, expose secrets he said would sink Nigeria. 

The defendants who are answering to a five-count charge equally alleged plot by FG to import foreigners to testify against them. Kanu is facing four out of the five count charges. The trial judge had earlier granted FG the nod to shield identities of all the witnesses billed to testify in the matter. The court directed that the witnesses who are mostly security operatives would testify behind a screen or wear mask when the need arises, a decision the defendants protested against, insisting that it was wrong for the court to allow “masquerades” to give evidence against them. 

While dismissing some of the previous charges against the defendants, Justice Nyako held that FG could not establish any ingredient of crime in its allegation that Kanu had between March and April 2015, imported into Nigeria a radio Transmitter known as TRAM 50L and kept it in a container that was left in custody of the 3rd defendant, Madubugwu, at Ubuluisiuzor in Ihiala LGA of Anambra State. The court however held that Kanu has a case to answer pertaining to allegation in count-four that he lied that the Radio Transmitter was concealed in a container of used household items which the defendant declared as unused household items.

 Whereas the court struck out counts 3, 6, 7, 9, 10 and 11 of the charges, it however sustained counts 1, 2, 4, 5 and 8. 

The sustained charges, to which all the defendants entered a plea of not guilty to, borders on conspiracy, treasonable felony, publication of defamatory matter and Kanu’s alleged importation of goods contrary and punishable under section 47(2) (a) of the Customs and Excise Management Act, Cap C45, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. 

In count three of the pending charges, FG alleged that Kanu had in a broadcast he made in London on April 28, 2015, through Radio Biafra, referred to President Muhammadu Buhari as “a paedophile, a terrorist, an idiot and an embodiment of evil”. Madubugwu was specifically accused of having in his possession at his house, one Emerald Magnum Pump Action Gun with serial number TS 870- 113- 0046, one Delta Magnum Pump Action Gun with serial number 501, and 41 Cartridges/ Ammunition, without lawful authority or licence.

Nnamdi Kanu, Overall Leader Biafra

Read More »

I would never give up on Biafra – Nnamdi Kanu

• The Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOP, Nnamdi Kanu, Monday vowed to challenge his stringent bail conditions, saying they were unconstitutional.

Nnamdi Kanu

He also said that he would never give up his agitation for the restoration of Biafran Republic, pointing out that he wanted the reward for his agitation in this world and not when dies and goes to heaven. Kanu spoke in Enugu when paid a “Thank You” visit to the leadership of the Eastern Consultative Assembly, ECA. The ECA appointed Kanu its leader in absentia when he was being detained at Kuje Prisons with Chief (Mrs) Maria Okwo as his deputy among others. The IPOB leader was received by top members of the ECA, including Mrs. Okwor and Evang. Elliot Ugochukwu-Ukoh, among others.

Read More »

Human Righ Crusader Ozhekome flays Kanu’s bail condition, urges lawyers to file variation appeal

• ABUJA-HUMAN rights crusader and constitutional lawyer, Chief Mike Ozhekome, yesterday, carpeted Justice Binta Nyako,over her Tuesday’s bail condition on leader of the Indigenous people of Biafra, IPOD, Nnamdi Kanu. 

• This was even as he hailed the judge for her action, saying it was a demonstration of rare courage by the judiciary against the executive overbearing influence. 

• Ozhekome ,who said bail conditions were simply to ensure attendance of a person in court,noted that any bail condition that becomes excessive or punitive, loses its purpose, function and goal.

Ozhekome

To this end, he urged lawyers to the IPOD leader to immediately file application before the same trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako, for variation of the bail terms to more favourable ones. In a statement he released last night, Ozhekome noted that such application ”ll make Kanu a human being once more.”

”Bail conditions are simply to ensure the attendance of a person in court, and nothing more. Once excessive or punitive, bail loses its purpose, function and goal.

 ”I urge Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyers to immediately file an application before the same Justice Binta, for variation of the bail terms to more favourable ones, that will make Kanu a human being once more,”he insisted.

 ”I urge the Nigerian judiciary to stand up “gidigba”, to defend the rights of all Nigerians against executive lawlessness, judicial timidity and legislative rascality. God bless Nigeria and Nigerians,”he further said.

 The full text of the statement which he captioned ”Nnamdi Kanu’s travail:A bare bail devoid of liberty”,read thu: ” I congratulate Justice Binta Nyako for being courageous enough to even grant bail at all to IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, on health grounds.

 ”This is predicated on the truism that the Judiciary has been so humiliated, browbeaten, terrorized and emasculated by the Executive, that it takes extraordinary courage and daring bravado, for a Judge to even grant bail to a much vilified Nnamdi Kanu, whose only “crime” is that he seeks self determination for his repressed, oppressed, suppressed and marginalized indigenous people of Biafra, a right recognized even by the UNO and AU in all self – determination instruments.

 ”The catch here however, is that in granting the bail, the Judge, apparently trying to tread softly, took back with the right hand what she gave with the left hand. ” Bail is a constitutional right. It is guaranteed by section 35(5) of the 1999 Constitution, with or without conditions attached.

 But any conditions so attached to bail must be such that the grant of bail is itself not rendered meaningless and impotent as in the Nnamdi case. Kanu’s bail conditions are outrightly stringent, punitive, discriminatory, profiling and stereotyping. Hear them:

1.  ”He must produce 3 sureties, who must deposit the sum of 100m each (a ready recipe for corruption). ”One of the sureties must be a highly respected Jewish leader since Kanu practices Judaism as his religion (discrimination on the basis of religion).
2.   Produce a highly placed person of Igbo extraction (discrimination on the basis of place of origin and ethnic group).
3.  ”Produce a respected person who resides and owns landed property in Abuja (a call for the elitist money bags). 
4. Must not attend any rally or grant an interview (breach of freedom of movement and speech). ”Must not be in a crowd exceeding 10 persons (denial of freedom of Association). Must surrender his Nigerian and British passports (denial of freedom of movement).
5. Must sign an undertaking to be available for trial at all times (normal. This is the main purpose of bail). ”His wedding ring and reading glasses to be given back to him (thank God for tokenism). 
6. Must provide monthly update on Kanu’s health (yes, to ensure his health is improving). ”Some of the bail conditions are not only troubling, unsetting and punitive, but are simply unconstitutional, as briefly highlighted above.

 ”Section 42(1) of the 1999 Constitution provides that “a citizen of Nigeria of a particular community, ethnic group, place of origin, sex, religion or political opinion shall not, by reason only that he is such a person:-

 ”(a) be subjected either expressly by, or in the practical application of, any executive or administrative action of the government, to disabilities or restrictions to which citizens of Nigeria of other communities, ethnic groups, places of origin, sex, religions or political opinions are not made subject to; or

”(b) be accorded either expressly by, or in the practical application of, any law in force in Nigeria or any such executive or administrative action, any privilege or advantage that is not accorded to citizens of Nigeria of other communities, ethnic groups, places of origin, sex, religions or political opinions.

 ”(2) No citizen of Nigeria shall be subjected to any disability or deprivation merely by reason of the circumstances of his birth. ”It is crystal clear from these constitutional provisions that the stringent bail conditions granted to Nnamdi have clearly discriminated against him and subjected him to “certain disabilities or restriction” on the basis of his religion, place of birth, political opinion and ethnic group.

”What the bail conditions are simply saying is that it will be illegal, forbidden and contrary to the bail conditions were Kanu to do the following:

 ”(a) Kanu cannot be received by a multitude of his village people, kindred and kinsmen, who have missed his presence since his mindless incarceration over one and half years ago, contrary to the right to freedom of Association granted by section 40 of the 1999 Constitution.

 ”(b) That Kanu cannot express his right to freedom of expression clearly guaranteed by section 39 of the Constitution.

 ”(c) That Kanu cannot exercise his freedom of movement guaranteed by section 41 of the Constitution.

 ”(d) That Kanu cannot receive sympathizers, well wishers and political Associates, once they are more than 10.

 ”(e) That Kanu cannot freely exercise, without being monitored, his freedom of religion and conscience contrary to section 38 of the Nigerian Constitution.

 ”(f) That Kanu cannot, at any given time, even in his household or larger family setting, host more than 10 people (ludicrous; unnatural!).

 ”(g) That Kanu cannot even visit any hospital to take care of his health, because the hospital staff of Doctors, nurses, para-medical staff and other patients, must surely exceed 10 (contrary to section 17(3)(c) of the Constitution.

 ”(h) That Kanu cannot attend church service or the synagogue worship to glorify God in thanksgiving for his release, since such place of worship will harbour hundreds if not thousands, of people (contrary to section 10 and 38 of the Constitution).

 ”(i) That Kanu cannot even go to a busy motor park, airport, seaport, Parks and Gardens, Cinema hall, theatre, to transport himself, watch films or relax, or even go to Shoprite to shop. ”(j) That Kanu cannot deliver lectures to students, or groups, or participate in seminars, workshops, summits, conferences, etc., as these involve many people.

 ”(k) That by way of summary, Kanu should remain a hermit, marooned like Robinson Crusoe in the 1719 novel of the same name, by Daniel Defoe, who spent over 28 years as a castaway, after he was washed up on the shores of a deserted island, near the mouth of Oronoco River in South America. ”Day by day, we subject the Nigerian society to bottomless ridicule and derision in the comity of Nations.”

Read More »