Igbo leaders meet Buhari, demand Kanu’s release, Signs petitions.

Igbo leaders under the aegis of Highly Respected Igbo Greats have appealed to the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), to ensure the release of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra’s leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

The group led by First Republic parliamentarian and former Minister of Aviation, 93-year-old Mbazulike Amaechi, made the appeal during a visit to the State House, Abuja, on Friday.

Other members of the delegation were former Governor of Anambra State, Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Bishop Sunday Onuoha of the Methodist Church, former President of Igbo socio-cultural group, Aka Ikenga, Goddy Uwazurike and Tagbo Amaechi.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said Buhari while responding to the Igbo leaders, stated that though the demand was heavy, he would consider it.

Buhari said unconditional release of the IPOB leader, who is currently standing trial, runs contrary to the doctrine of separation of powers between the executive and judiciary.

The President said, “You’ve made an extremely difficult demand on me as the leader of this country. The implication of your request is very serious. In the last six years, since I became President, nobody would say I have confronted or interfered in the work of the judiciary.

“God has spared you (referring to the ex-minister), and given you a clear head at this age, with a very sharp memory. A lot of people half your age are confused already. But the demand you made is heavy. I will consider it.”

During the meeting, the nonagenarian described the situation in the South-East as “painful and pathetic,” lamenting businesses had collapsed while education was crumbling amid fears.

He promised that if Kanu was released to him as the only First Republic minister still alive, “he (Kanu) would no longer say the things he had been saying.”

Meanwhile IPOB has sought the intervention of the United Kingdom, urging the British Government to embark on an “aggressive diplomatic engagement” to ensure Kanu was released unconditionally. ‘‘in the shortest possible time.’’

It also alleged that over 300 IPOB members were being held across detention camps nationwide.

The lead lawyer to IPOB, Chief Ifeanyi Ejiofor, stated these in a letter to the British High Commissioner in Nigeria dated November 17 

The petition read in part, “The British Government is respectfully urged to do everything to protect the life of its national, our client, who, from every indication, is gripped by the vice-like, vengeful, and unrelenting stranglehold of the present Federal Government of Nigeria. Britain cannot afford to shirk the obligation it owes our client.

Similarly, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has condemned the condition Kanu was allegedly subjected to at the detention facility of the Department of the State Services.

The spokesman for Ohanaeze, Chief Alex Ogbonnia, who spoke to our correspondent in Enugu, noted, “Ohanaeze advises that Nnamdi Kanu should be handled with care and whatever is happening should fit into the global best practices; trial of Nnamdi Kanu, condition he stays should be made open.”

This is just as the Abia State High Court sitting in Umuahia issued an order restraining security agencies from deploying their personnel to the court premises each time Kanu’s case is being heard.

The court, presided over by Justice Benson Anya, also restrained them from arresting anybody who attends the court to witness Kanu’s proceedings.

The order was prompted by over 100 security agents who cordoned off the premises of the Abia State High Court in Umuahia at the resumed hearing of Kanu’s human rights suit against the Federal Government and seven others filed by his special counsel, Aloy Ejimakor.

The suit is aimed at challenging Kanu’s abduction in Kenya and his extraordinary rendition to Nigeria.

The matter was adjourned to December 10, 2021 for adoption of processes and a hearing on the substantive application seeking Kanu’s release from detention and his repatriation to Britain.

Meanwhile, IPOB has alleged a plot by the Federal Government to kill Kanu in detention and declare a state of emergency in ‘Biafraland.’

IPOB dismisses rumours of another Sit-at-home on Friday

The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has dismissed rumours making the rounds that it has ordered another Sit-at-home for Friday September, 17, 2021.

IPOB in a statement by its Media and Publicity, Emma Powerful, urged people to disregard the deceptive rumour, saying that some people are trying to incite the South East people against the group.

IPOB statement read in part, “We have since suspended the Monday weekly sit-at-home, and we wish to make it categorically that we are not planning any sit-at-home as being speculated, there is no other sit-at-home order on Friday.

“We understand that some miscreants living in Europe, claiming what they are not, sponsored by overzealous politicians to destroy Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB, are working with the security agencies to ensure that they succeed in torturing innocent Biafrans in the name of enforcing a non-existent sit-at-home

“We have set up a taskforce to deal with such hooligans. My fellow Biafrans there is no crack in IPOB and there is no sit-at-home order again this week until the day our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu will appear in court.

“Our people must therefore disregard any statement that is not from our Media and Publicity Secretary Emma Powerful..Our intention is different from those agents making statements on IPOB order, but they will soon regret their actions.

“IPOB has not order any sit-at-home on Friday because our people have suffered a lot following the one we suspended, but they were made by hoodlums to continue to observe.

IPOB, ESN members arrested after attack on Police in Imo

Dozens of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) militant wing, Eastern Security Network (ESN) have been arrested in Imo.

They were apprehended after the attack on Omuma and Njaba police facilities.

Emmanuel Nnaji, a native of Awala in Ideato South Local Government Area, who earlier sustained bullet wounds, was first nabbed.

Nnaji mentioned a hotel in Orlu where the ESN gather to plan their assault against government facilities.

The head of a young man was severed and placed on the road close to the premises.

The suspect disclosed that the hotel owner has been accommodating and assisting them financially.

Twenty-six suspects – 19 males and seven females – were arrested after he led security operatives to the location.

One AK-47 rifle with two magazines loaded with 55 rounds of live ammunition, 5 pump action guns, 2 double barrel cut to size guns, 4 double barrel locally-made pistols were recovered.

Others were 3 single barrel locally made pistols, 8 live cartridges, charms, 2 bags of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp, Biafran flag and beret, ESN cap, four pairs of army camouflage uniforms and a camouflage bag.

Imo Police Command spokesman, CSP Michael Abbatam confirmed that investigation was ongoing.

Nnamdi Kanu will soon be free – Lawyer

Ifeanyi Ejiofor, counsel to Nnamdi Kanu, says the Biafra agitator will soon be free.

The lawyer gave the assurance on Monday after the court session.

The federal government failed to produce the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader in court.

The new counsel, Mohammed Abubakar had announced that Kanu could not be produced due to logistics reasons.

Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court adjourned until October 21.

Kanu will remain in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).

In a statement, Ejiofor assured that Kanu will emerge victorious.

The legal practitioner also gave an update on new developments.

“Our Client -Mazi Nnamdi Kanu cannot only be visited by his lawyers but relatives and friends, provided there are only two persons in every of such visits.

“It is now an order of the court. Anybody within the above classification will be profiled by our Head of Chambers.”

He announced the activation of a judicial process to ensure that the court grants a fiat to hear the case during the court’s annual vacation that commenced today.

“Our discreet findings confirmed that Nnamdi Kanu was not taken out of Abuja to an unknown destination. Kindly ignore the rumour mongers.

“We will visit him again within the next 48 hours. Mazi Nnamdi Kanu will regain his freedom sooner than may be expected”, Ejiofor added.

Biafra: Simon Ekpa declares sit-at-home as Nnamdi Kanu faces trial

Simon Ekpa, one of the disciples of the embattled leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has declared a sit-at-home order for all Igbos, particularly the supporters of Biafra agitation.

The order according to Ekpa, is in solidarity for the IPOB leader who is expected to appear before the Federal High Court, Maitama Abuja on Monday (today).

Ekpa, who is a Finnish, made the declaration in a tweet on his official Twitter handle.

He also enjoined all supporters of Biafra freedom to update their social media profile pictures to that of the fugitive.null

“Everyone in Biafraland must observe sit at home today in solidarity with Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and Biafra. Today, Biafra goes to court.

“All Biafrans and lovers of freedom on Social Media are hereby advised to change their profile pictures to that of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu for just this day 26th day of July 2021”.

Meanwhile, the IPOB had disengaged Ekpa from reporting on Radio Biafra a few weeks after he was appointed to announce on the platform pending Kanu’s release.

‘Kanu’s trial not secret’, lawyer asks IPOB, others to attend Monday’s sitting

Aloy Ejimakor, the counsel for the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, has asked IPOB members and other supporters of the separatist to attend the agitator’s trial in Abuja on Monday.

He said this in a press statement titled, ‘Security agents must not molest those coming to show solidarity with Kanu’, on Sunday.

He explained that the statement was necessitated by reports that those coming to Abuja to show solidarity with Kanu will be harassed or even arrested by security agents.

Biafran separatist leader Kanu was arrested and brought back to Nigeria after four years on the run.

Kanu heads the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra, which agitates for a separate Biafran state for ethnic Igbos in South-East Nigeria.

While Nigerian authorities have not explained how he was arrested, his wife said he was snatched during a business trip to Kenya.

Kanu’s trial for “terrorism” has been set for Monday, July 26.

The statement read, “Let me make it clear that while I am not calling on people or Kanu’s supporters to throng Abuja for the hearing on Monday, it’s important to state that anybody who wishes to come is not doing anything illegal, provided such a person comes in peace.

“Kanu’s trial is an open trial, not a secret trial and he’s presumed innocent until proven guilty. Therefore, anybody wishing to be associated with his trial by being present in Abuja is protected by his Constitutional right to freedom of association and movement.

“So, my message to all supporters of Kanu and even to Nigerian government is simple and that is: Everybody should be strictly guided by the rule of law pertinent to why Nnamdi Kanu is facing these tribulations and trials.

“That pertinent rule of law is clearly codified by CAP A9, Laws of Federation of Nigeria, where it is stated at Article 20 that:

“All peoples shall have the right to existence. They shall have the unquestionable and inalienable right 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.

“Above is the fulcrum of every other crime the Nigerian government is alleging against Kanu. Therefore, once government recognizes that the enterprise upon which Kanu is engaged is expressly recognized or protected by laws, it will see that dialogue, not trials and violence, is the only legal pathway to containing it.

“I am saying this because the same Law that legalizes self-determination also requires the government to accommodate it. Article 1 of that Law provides that Nigeria “shall recognise the rights, duties and freedoms enshrined in the Charter and shall undertake to adopt legislative or other measures to give effect to them”.

Further, subjecting Kanu to any trial under the circumstances of his extraordinary rendition will face lots of legal challenges. So, what is expected on Monday is not a trial but what Lawyers call ‘taking a plea’ or a re-arraignment on the amended Charges that might be brought.

“Should that happen, the procedure permits taking an adjournment to study the new Charges for the purpose of advising the defendant on the next steps.

“So, there’s nothing significant that will happen on Monday that warrants anybody, including the government, to be jittery.”

UK to FG: Explain circumstances of Nnamdi Kanu’s arrest

Sequel to the alleged abduction of the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu in Kenya and his alleged rendition to Nigeria and continued detention by the Department of State Service, DSS, the United Kingdom (UK) has asked Nigeria to explain where and how the  separatist leader who holds British citizenship was arrested.

This came as the kinsmen of the re-arrested leader of  IPOB  have claimed that President Muhamnadu Buhari’s lopsided appointments in favour of his Fulani and Northern kinsmen is fuelling the renewed agitation for self determination in parts of the country.

Kanu’s lawyer, Ifeanyi  Ejiofor had alleged that his client was detained and maltreated in Kenya before being sent back to Nigeria, Reuters has reported.

Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, who has been agitating for secession of Biafra was on the run outside Nigeria for four  years following attack on his country home at Afra-Ukwu, in Abia State  by security forces until he was brought to court in Abuja on June 29 and told he would face trial.

“We are seeking clarification from the Nigerian government about the circumstances of the arrest and detention of Nnamdi Kanu,” said Tariq Ahmad, a junior minister at Britain’s Foreign Office.”

The Nigerian authorities have refused to say where Kanu was arrested, while Kenya’s ambassador to Nigeria has denied his country was involved. 

But responding to a question about Kanu’s case from a lawmaker, Ahmad said Britain had requested consular access to Kanu and stood ready to provide consular assistance.

A spokesman for Nigeria’s Department of State Service, the security agency that is holding Kanu, could not immediately be reached for comment yesterday, a public holiday in Nigeria.

Kanu’s lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, alleged he was abducted by Kenya’s special police force and held for eight days before being handed over to Nigerian authorities.

Your nepotism fuelling agitation for self determination

President General of Isiama Afaraukwu Development Union, Umuahia North Council of Abia State, Chief Obioma Ebeogu; and his Vice, Chief  Benjamin Ohaeri, made the claims in an interview with our Correspondent.

Chief Obioma who spoke on the heels of Kanu’s alleged “abduction from Kenya and extraordinary rendition to Nigeria”, insisted that their son commited no crime but was only complaining of the marginalisation of his people.

He argued that if President Buhari had given a sense of belonging to other tribes particularly Ndigbo in his political appointments, many people would not bother to seek independence from Nigeria.

Obioma argued that the glaring disparity in distribution of political offices and other appointments by the Buhari-led administation is the reason the agitation for self autonomy by different sections of the country is on the increase.

The PG urged President Buhari to rather consider the issues raised by Kanu and other self  autonomy proponents instead of clamping them into detention.

Kanu’s kinsmen who raised concern over his health condition appealed to the federal government to grant him access to his personal physicians.

They said that “agitation for self determination is never a crime,” and told the federal government “to stop treating Kanu as a common criminal.”

Likening Kanu to Martin Luther King Jr who vigorously fought for the emancipation of the Blacks in America, the IPOB’s leader’s kinsmen urged Buhari to stop seeing him as a terrorist but a heroic freedom fighter seeking the good of his people.

“Our son is like Martin Luther fighting for the liberation of his people. The federal government should release him and engage him with a view to addressing the the issues he is raising”.

They further demanded that Kanu’s family should be granted unfettered access to him.

The kinsmen also urged the President to prevail on the Department of State Services, DSS, to allow Kanu sign the request for consular services and diplomatic assistance by the United Kingdom. They said preventing the IPOB leader from signing such request as alleged by his lawyer constituted to a huge infringement on his fundamental rights.

We’ve been denied access to Nnamdi Kanu, maybe they want to kill him – IPOB leader’s family

Emmanuel Kanu, the brother of detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has claimed they have been denied access to him.

Since he was repatriated from Kenya to Nigeria, Nnamdi Kanu has been kept in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).

Speaking with The Nation, Emmanuel said their efforts to see him through a lawyer have been futile.

He said: “We have been denied access to him. We have made several efforts through our lawyer to see him, all to no avail. My brother should be given access to his own private doctor. It is our stand and position.

“Maybe they intend to kill him, because I don’t know why they would not allow us access to see him. As we speak, some legal steps are being taken as we don’t believe in the judicial process here, but we will do what we can.”

Aloy Ejimakor, lawyer to Nnamdi Kanu, has insisted there will be no trial for the Biafra agitator.

Ejimakor explained that no trial would be held due to the manner in which Kanu was rearrested and repatriated to Nigeria.

Biafra: Igbos react as Abba Kyari attends Obi Cubana’s mother’s burial

Nigerians, especially Igbos, have taken to social media criticizing the presence of Abba Kyari at Obi Cubana’s mother’s burial .

Abba Kyari, who is a Deputy Commissioner of Police and leader of the Inspector General of Police’s Intelligence Response Team, was seen at the burial beside Cubana in viral pictures.

This did not go down well with Igbos who accused Kyari of being behind the killing of youths in the east.

Some Nigerians also condemned Obi Cubana for inviting someone who allegedly hates his people to his hometown.

Here are some comments gathered

@MichaelZuchi “ Abba Kyari with Obi Cubana and co. We are watching.”

@Jaresizzle “ For the fact that Abba Kyari (arguably Nigeria’s most cerebral, most strategic police officer) visited Obi Cubana at the burial ceremony, I believe the latter’s business interests (whatever they are) are significantly legit.”

@EngrIbinabo “ This is Abba kyari, the man that hunted down ESN in the East. He hates Biafara with passion, but came for Cubana’s mother’s funeral. Igbos are not bothered: they are busy picking money being sprayed by Cubana and his friends.”

@IkemIgbo1 “ This is the Hypocritical Bigotry Detective Killer Abba Kyari, in Oba Anambra State,If Obi Cubana and old Igbo dudes don’t know who he is and what he went there for, then Sorry for them. EFCC will soon,just very soon start inviting some of those boys for questioning.”

@Gabrielpatok “The Cubana or whatever you called him is now a suspect. He may be planning evil with the zoo against our people. Otherwise, what is Abba Kyari doing there? Are you sure the money he was spraying wasn’t from Nigerian terrorist government? #IPOB is watching.”null

@ProudlyAnioma “ We are not Serious in the East. Take it or leave it. I saw Supercop Abba Kyari’s picture of him with Obi Cubana. That’s the same man arresting and killing his people. May God have mercy on us all.”

@EmekaGabriel “ What Do You Observe? He is Abba Kyari the blood sucking demon in police uniform killing innocent Biafran youths yet posing with Obi Cubana. Who did this to our people? I don’t even know if other people are seeing exactly what I’m seeing here?

@Ienyereibe “ Obi Cuban- is among those that are killing Innocent BIAFRANS Youths! Hope you Biafrans can see him together with the Killer Abba Kyari. Maybe they harvest organ of Biafrans Youths for OBI CUBANA

@Biafra_mission “ Abba Kyari was also live at Obi Cubana mother’s burial.He has killed a lot of Biafrans and are presently in oba to monitor more how to kill more, I don’t blame him i blame the Senseless noise makes that invited him.”

@CollinsIkpeba “ The so called Obi Cubana,the fool that makes money, and he show off at the detriment of his own people.Imagine this Obi Cubana as they call him those who worship money, this man invited Abba Kyari the notorious police man that has been killing the Biafrans in thousands shame.”

@Kingsley “Obi Cubana’s mother’s burial and show will bring more death to biafraland, watch out for the part after the burial they will go after them that’s why they send Abba kyari to number them. Una shame they shame me.”

“Free Nnamdi Kanu” – Rapper, Zoro drums support for IPOB leader

Nigerian rapper, Zoro has urged the Federal government to release the arrested leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

Trio news had reported that Kanu was arrested by a combined team of Nigerian and foreign security agents in a coordinated interception.

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, on Tuesday, at an emergency media briefing in his office confirmed the arrest of Kanu.

According to him, Kanu was picked up on Sunday due to “the collaborative efforts of Nigerian intelligence and security services”.

Following the development, Kanu has been detained by the Department of State Services, DSS.

Reacting, the rapper in a post called for his release, noting that he has a lot to say but will like the recipients of his message “to listen to their conscience first.”

“There’s a lot I’d love to say, first is I would love our leaders to listen to their conscience and that’s only if it’s well fed shaa. Free Nnamdi Kanu,” he wrote.