The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine

Tag: biafra

  • Sit at Home enforcers wreck havoc in S/East

     

     

    The enforcement of the sit-at-home order declared by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, took a bloody twist yesterday in Nsukka as gunmen enforcing the order killed two persons at Nkpologwu, Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State.

     

    Three persons were also injured in the attack.

    The sit-at-home, which grounded the entire South East zone, was in solidarity with the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who was brought to court in Abuja yesterday.

     

    The attack at Nkpologu occurred as early morning worshipers at St Theresa of Calcutta Catholic Church, Awada Onitsha, had a raw deal in the hands of gunmen who claimed to be enforcers of the sit-at-home stormed the church and ordered the worshipers to disperse.

     

    This is even as the enforcers created tension in Aba, Abia State, as suspected members of IPOB, enforcing the sit-at-home order chased motorists and residents away.

    Meantime, the detained leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, yesterday, accused the Federal Government of deliberately denying him the necessary facilities to defend the treasonable felony charge it preferred against him.

     

    Gunmen kill 2 in Enugu, injure 3 others

    A senior security personnel in the local government who confirmed this incident to Vanguard on condition of anonymity said the incident happened close to Adada Dam in Nkpologwu.

    The source explained that one of the victims, identified as ‘Deri Nwa Mama,’ from Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State, was a member of the Neighbourhood Watch group in Opanda Community, also in the council area.

     

    The source explained that the body of ‘Deri Nwa Mama,’ was burnt after he was killed by the gunmen.

    Vanguard gathered that three other victims were tied to trees within the scene of the incident and given severe machete cuts.

    “Unknown gunmen have just shot two persons dead at Nkpologwu. We are on our way to recover their remains as I speak with you. Three others were tied on trees within the area and given severe machete cuts. It happened close to Adada Dam,” the source said.

    When contacted, the spokesperson of Enugu State Police Command, Daniel Ndukwe, said he was in a meeting and could not respond to enquires.

     

    Enforcers storm Catholic Church, disperse worshipers

    The boys, wielding sticks said they were members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, adding that the worshipers had no reason to step out of their houses on a day the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu was appearing in court.

     

    A female worshiper who said her house is three buildings from the church said the invasion of the church by the boys caused pandemonium as many people ran helter-skelter, adding that it was the wisdom of the parish priest and the celebrant at the Mass that saved the situation.

    She said: “This morning (yesterday) I went for the 5:30 am morning Mass in my church, St Theresa of Calcutta Parish in Awada, it is close to Ukaegbu junction.

    “We were halfway into the Mass when some group of boys suspected to be members of IPOB entered the church. They were carrying sticks and cans and went straight to the alter.

     

    “They approached our parish priest, Rev Fr Joseph, and asked him why he was celebrating Mass on a day their master was going to court. They were quite a number of them and were visibly angry.

     

    “Everybody in the church took to their heels. There would have been a stampede because there were a lot of people in the morning Mass today. I ran to a building close to the church.

    “Father Joseph told them we were holding Mass today to pray for the release of Nnamdi Kanu. He used diplomacy to talk to them, and even asked them if they were really for Ndi Igbo or against Ndi Igbo? They now said okay and if that was so, the people in the church were for them.

    “They called back everyone to continue the Mass since they were convinced that the church people were Biafrans.

    “Some of us were so afraid that we could not return, so we went home from there. They apologized to the priest and left.

    “The same group went out and saw a tricycle rider. Nobody knew why the man was outside because on sit-at-home days, one hardly saw tricycles outside. They beat up the man and set his tricycle ablaze”.

    It was gathered that as the information of what happened at the church went round, many people who tried to travel very early to beat the sit at home, had to turn back.

     

    Suspected IPOB members attack motorists, traders in Abia

    Eyewitnesses told Vanguard that the suspected IPOB members dressed in black attire with face masks had attacked motorists and roadside traders at the Okigwe road and Ama Ogbonna areas.

    There was a stampede at the ever-busy Ama Ogbonna junction as some Keke operators who had gone out early morning were chased away.

    The news of the attack spread through the city forcing motorists and roadside traders who had already started a business to scamper to safety.

    All the markets in the city like the Ariaria International, Ngwa road, Cemetery, Ekeoha, and Aba Waterside were all deserted as traders stayed away. The waterside slaughter was alleged to have received a letter from unknown persons warning butchers not to open the slaughter or risk attack. Motor parks, schools, filling stations and banks and government offices were also shut.

     

    Kanu kicks against fresh charge, accuses FG of engaging in trial by ambush

    Kanu, through his team of lawyers led by led by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Mike Ozekhome, decried that over one month after his case was fixed for trial, FG, chose to amend the charge against him, barely 24 hours to the scheduled court hearing.

    Ozekhome, SAN, who appeared to take over Kanu’s defence team on Tuesday, told the court that FG served the 15-count amended charge on them, late in the evening on Monday.

    “My lord, the proposed amended charge was served on us yesterday evening. As I speak to you my lord, the Defendant who was just brought in has not even seen the charge which he is being told to enter his plea.

    “With due respect, that is not Justice. It is ambushing. I know that the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA, allows them to amend, but this is the 6th amendment they are making, and each time they do it, they serve us a day to the hearing, just to frustrate the trial”, Ozekhome lamented.

    Besides, he noted that the proof of evidence, as well as extra-judicial statements of witnesses, were not attached to the amended charge.

    He argued that his client must be furnished with such “evidential materials”, before he could be called upon to enter his defence to the charge, stressing that going ahead with the proceeding, would amount to a breach of Kanu’s right to fair hearing guaranteed under section 36 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

    Ozekhome further complained that contrary to an earlier order of the court, the Department of State Services, DSS, repeatedly denied the IPOB leader, access to his visitors and lawyers.

    “My lord, on December 21 when I visited him, I was totally stripped of everything, including my wristwatch and socks. I had to joke with them that they should also remove my pant.

    “They have also taken his blood samples over 21 times and yet, till now, they have not told him what is wrong.

    “The Defendant has seizures occasionally. We don’t want him to die, we want him to be alive to stand his trial”, Ozekhome added.

    On his part, the Prosecution team, led by Mr. Shuaibu Labaran from the Federal Ministry of Justice, said he was not opposed to the court granting a short adjournment to enable the defence lawyers to study the charge.

    He however told the court that the charge was served on the Defendant around 9:45 am on Monday.

    “Because we are not persecutors but prosecution, we are not opposed to his request for time”, Labaran added.

    Meanwhile, following Ozekhome’s complaint, trial Justice Binta Nyako, before adjourning the case till Wednesday, ordered the DSS to allow Kanu to have a change of cloth.

    “I don’t want to see him in this cloth again. This one is almost off-white. Also, make sure that you allow him to exercise and give him a good mattress”, Justice Nyako ordered.”

    Ozekhome had in a brief chat with Vanguard, said his decision to take over Kanu’s defence, was based on the fact that he is facing an incompetent charge.

    “Right to self-determination is inalienable. It is guaranteed under both the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the African Charter on Peoples’ Rights. I am here today because I believe that the charge against Defendant is baseless”, he added.

     

    FG’s amended charges against Kanu can’t stand—Ejimakor

    Mr. Aloy Ejimakor, Special Counsel to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, yesterday dismissed the latest move by the federal government to increase the count charge against Kanu from seven to 17 as a dilatory tactic to buy time.

    Ejimakor who took to his Twitter handle lampooned the federal government and said that the move which came so late could not stand.

    He argued that the extraordinary rendition of the IPOB Leader “is a perpetual barrier to his prosecution.

    “The latest amendment coming so late on the eve of the trial smacks of dilatory tactics.

    “Ultimately, these changes won’t stick because the extraordinary rendition of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is a perpetual barrier to his prosecution. You can’t put something on nothing. That’s the law”, Ejimakor tweeted.

     

    S-East completely grounded

    The entire southeast was yesterday, completely grounded, following the sit-at-home order.

    Reports from across the states showed that all markets, rural and urban in major cities were shut down, while inter and intracity vehicular movement completely ceased.

     

    Reports reaching Vanguard showed everywhere was grounded.

    From Enugu to Ebonyi; to Anambra, Imo and Abia, the story is the same.

    In Imo, a native of the community and former Chairman of Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, Ferdinand Ibecheodo, said: “I was at the village market Ekeukwu a few minutes ago (yesterday), to buy bread when somèbody came and asked everybody to leave. He said it was a bit of advice and that in one hour’s time, a group would come and it would not be a tea party.

    “Similarly, the popular Orie Mbaise, at the border of Lorji and Ife, a weekly market, where the people buy and sell, is like a graveyard. The lockdown is total in our area.”

    In Owerri municipality, markets, filling stations, schools, as well as most government offices and establishments, remained under lock and key.

     

    Dry roads as residents lockdown Umuahia

    In Umuahia, the capital city of Abia State was a ghost town as residents remained indoors.

    From the morning hours till the time of filing this report, economic and commercial activities were paralyzed as markets are street shops in the capital city remained shut down.

    The roads were also dry except for occasional vehicular and human movements.

    Schools did not open as teachers and parents stayed back home with their children while banks also remained shut down.

    The exercise was, however, peaceful as there was no incidence of a security breach in any part of the state.

     

    Residents stay indoors in Ebonyi

    In Ebonyi, the usual human and vehicular movements were not recorded as people were hardly seen outside their homes carrying out one activity or the other.

    Most schools, both private and public did not open for academic activities. Banks, filling stations, shopping malls, shops along major streets, motor parks, POS centres, mechanic workshops, among others did not open as at the time of this report.

     

    Total compliance in Onitsha, Nnewi

    Onitsha the commercial city and Nnewi the industrial town of Anambra State, yesterday totally complied with the sit-at-home directed by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, to protest the extrajudicial rendition and trial of its leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, in Nigeria.

    Federal and State government institutions, in the state, were under lock and key including hospitals that rendered skeletal services particularly patents under admission in them.

    Street markets and roadside shops in the two business towns were all closed as petty traders and hawkers of edibles were nowhere to be seen.

    Enugu, Imo streets deserted

    Enugu metropolis and other parts of Enugu State witnessed total lockdown on Tuesday as residents observed another sit-at-home order.

    Vanguard also monitored Owerri metropolis and saw that both human and vehicular movements were not in operation.

    Also, banks, shops, markets, and schools obeyed the sit-at-home order of the IPOB.

    Troops dislodge IPOB/ESN stronghold in Anambra

    Meantime, the Nigerian Army said its troops in joint operations conducted with other security agencies have dislodged a stronghold of IPOB and its armed affiliate, Eastern Security Network (ESN) at Lilu Forest in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State.

    A statement by Brig Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations said “The operations, which was conducted in the early hours of Monday 17 January 2022, led to the neutralization of some gunmen in a firefight that ensued.”

     

     

     

     

    Source: www.vanguardngr.com

  • Treat Sit-at-home enforcers as criminals, IPOB tells Government

    Treat Sit-at-home enforcers as criminals, IPOB tells Government

     

    THE Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, yesterday, told South-East governors and members of the public to as a matter of urgency, deal decisively with criminals still enforcing Monday weekly sit-at-home.

    IPOB also lamented what it called the senseless shooting in Enugu State on Monday which it alleged was done by hoodlums and cultists recruited and sponsored by some evil politicians in the state who derive joy in spilling the blood of their fellow citizens.

    This came as the chairman of South-East Governors’ Forum and Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi said he backs a political solution to Nnamdi Kanu’s incarceration.

    This is even as the Ebonyi State Police Command, yesterday, confirmed the killing of a member of the southeast security outfit code-named EbubeAgu in the state. The victim, Ifeanyi Orogbo, 32, was murdered and partially burnt by his assailants.

    Meantime, residents of the Okigwe local government area yesterday said they now live in fear as a result of the activities of bandits and kidnappers.

    ‘Treat anybody enforcing sit-at-home as criminal’

    A statement by IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, entitled, South-East Governors, members of the public should deal decisively with criminals enforcing Monday sit-at-home” said that IPOB has severally explained that it has not authorized anybody to enforce Monday sit-at-home which has been suspended since August 19, 2021.

    The pro-Biafra group also told the South-East Governors and the general public to treat as a criminal, anybody unleashing terror on innocent citizens under the guise of enforcing sit-at-home order because they do not deserve pity.

    IPOB’s statement read: “The attention of the global movement and family of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has been drawn to the senseless shooting in Enugu State on Monday by hoodlums and cultists recruited and sponsored by some evil politicians in the state who derive joy in spilling the blood of their fellow citizens.

    “We have severally explained that IPOB has not authorized anybody to enforce Monday sit-at-home, which has been suspended since August 19, 2021. Anybody unleashing terror on innocent citizens under the guise of enforcing sit-at-home order is a criminal and does not deserve pity.

    “Despite the suspension of Monday Sit-At-Home since 19th of August 2021, some unscrupulous elements and criminals conniving with security agencies and our enemies, have continued to inflict pain on our people. Their aim is to blackmail IPOB, but they will continue to fail.

    “Now, we want to inform our people to stand firm in the fight for their liberty. IPOB did not ask anybody to enforce sit-at-home of any kind. Henceforth, ESN operatives will come from the bushes and forests and go after these criminals unleashing mayhem on innocent people and visitors to Biafra land in the name of enforcing non-existent Monday sit-at-home order.

    “We, therefore, urge Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, to deal decisively with any hoodlum using Monday sit-at-home to torture innocent citizens/residents of the state.

    “No genuine member of IPOB or ESN operative is involved in any enforcement of Monday sit-at-home order. Anybody doing so is working against Biafra restoration and for a criminal group.

    “We equally call on our people and members of the public to skin alive, any idiot caught inflicting sorrow on the people in the name of enforcing non-existent Monday sit-at-home order. Such an evil soul and messenger of death doesn’t deserve to live.

    “Those shooting sporadically in the market are criminals and bandits using the name of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu and ESN to humiliate our people and demonize the movement. Their aim is to give the federal government excuse to hold our leader perpetually in detention.

    “ESN operatives are ready and poised to confront criminals creating these problems in the name of ESN and IPOB in the region. We have suspended Monday Sit-At-Home a long time ago, and we have not rescinded that decision. Biafrans must be strong to withstand our enemies and their collaborators every Monday.

    “IPOB was not formed to terrorise people. We remain peaceful and focused on the pursuit of Biafra freedom and independence. Governor Ugwuanyi and other Governors in the region must provide security for our people on Mondays because ESN is now ready to confront these criminals.

    “Nobody should link IPOB or ESN with these bunch of criminals acting in our region and those enforcing non-existent Monday sit-at-home order. How can we stop sit-at-home and turning around to compel people to observe it?

    “We are not hypocrites and we must come out victorious. The media should stop linking IPOB and ESN with the criminals behind this sad development. They are not our members and we can never accommodate this kind of criminals in our movement and family of IPOB.”

    Political Solution for Nnamdi Kanu–Umahi

    Similarly, the chairman of the South-East Governors’ Forum, Engineer Dave Umahi has made case for a political solution to Kanu’s incarceration.

    Speaking with Journalists in Abuja after declaring for the 2023 Presidency, Umahi said: “Let me also add that as the chairman of Southeast Governors Forum, that I support a political solution to our insecurity problems in the southeast. And of course, I mentioned it to Mr President

    “You see, the political solution does not terminate the judicial process. And if you know Mr President very well, he has always said and has always demonstrated that he wouldn’t interfere with any judicial process. Everybody knows him for that. But you remember very well, that if an agreement is reached between parties, you don’t expect Mr President to be the negotiator. There are a lot of federal government officials.

    “So, I believe strongly that if the southeast is proposing for a political solution, they should be able to engage the federal government. After all, there’s always what is called out-of-court settlement but it is for our people and our brother Kanu to be willing for us to truly engage so that we can find true peace in our region because the activities there have destroyed a lot of the economy of the people. A lot of lives have been lost and we were shooting it that it wasn’t going to benefit (anyone) because agitation shouldn’t have gone the way it did.

    IPOB fighting criminals

    Umahi said further: “Today, the matter has gone beyond them. You know, every criminal, kidnapper, armed robber tend to claim IPOB and IPOB, in turn, is fighting them. But I think, it is late. So, we desire peace, we desire to save the lives of our people. And so, we are willing to engage, to see that we have an amicable settlement. And you know, rebuild the economy of South East.”

    Reminded that this should be the starting point of his engagement, he said: “You see, the leaders of the southeast, of course, not all of them, they must be selected leaders, Ohanaeze and Chief Mbazurluike Amechi are already in the forefront and we can find true peace in our region.

    “They have always been briefing me and so, I’ve joined them. That could be the starting point, and we will be able to know what we want. We want peace. And so, there are things we must give up in order to acquire that peace.

    “If we are not being fairly treated, and some people feel we are not being fairly treated, we should be able to, constructively show to the federal government, the areas we think that we are not being fairly treated, not through hate speeches, not through violence. I don’t believe in these things because even in homes, in families, the wife or husband or children, we still have one thing or the other against the family but they should be able to discuss.”

    Asked if he shared his thoughts with the President on the IPOB leader and what his response was, he said: “If you listen to me very well, Mr President has never been in disagreement for peace or anything that will bring peace.

    “But you must allow him, you know, for what he believes in and for his pedigree and integrity, not to interfere with the judiciary, but it is up to us because the by-product of our discussion and negotiation is such that we can now go to court and seek for out of court settlement and whatever is the agreement becomes the settlement of the court.

    “So, I believe strongly that a political solution would be far better than the process which may last for a very long time.”

    Speaking on why he was at the State House, he said: “Recall that in September, I came to see Mr President to invite him to Ebonyi State to commission some of our completed projects, and lay foundations stones for some of our ongoing projects, especially the Ebonyi State International Airport.

    “But while we were in Paris together, I asked him to defer the visit to the first quarter of 2022, which he graciously approved for me. So today, I came to re-invite him to come and commission our numerous projects in Ebonyi State on March 15, 2022. So we are working on that.

    “I also briefed the President on the ongoing international airport of Ebonyi State of which I requested for his assistance. It’s taking due process. And I believe that Mr President, if he finds merit in it will definitely assist us to purchase airport equipment to enable us to commission the airport about the end of May 2022.”

     

     

     

     

    source: www.vanguardngr.com

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Biafra: IPOB are thieves not freedom fighters, says Buhari

    Biafra: IPOB are thieves not freedom fighters, says Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari has slammed the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) for unleashing terror on the South-East and parts of the South-South, describing them as thieves and terrorists.

    The President said this in a statement by his media aide Garba Shehu on Sunday.

    Mr Buhari, however, maintained that to achieve success, communities must unite against these horrific attacks, saying retributive violence was not the answer.

    He challenged religious, traditional, and community leaders on the need to preach peace and preventing violence.

    ”Attempts to simplify the reasons into a basic narrative may help raise donor-dollars for international NGOs, fill pages of overseas newspapers and burnish foreign politicians’ faith credentials,” argued Mr Buhari. “But this does not increase understanding, nor offer solutions. If anything, simplistic theorising and finger-pointing make the situation worse.”

    He pointed out that “it is important both for Nigerians and the international community to appreciate that there are” a multitude of factors responsible for the worsening insecurity in Nigeria.

    Mr Buhari further explained that “there are no religious connotations at all when the primary purpose of these acts is to extract money.”

    The president insisted that the “herder-farmer” violent conflict was a matter of “water and land,” not religion.

    “Then the herder-farmer clashes. While international voices and some Nigerian politicians who seek personal gains from division declare this a matter of religion, for those involved, it is almost entirely a matter of access to water and land,” he stated. “Herders have moved their cattle into contact with farmers for millennia. But increasingly, due to population pressure, escalating aridity of northern states, and climate change, they are forced to travel further south to find grazing lands.”

    On the activities of IPOB, Mr Buhari noted that “further afield in the South-East, IPOB are not struggling for freedom when they attack police stations and property, but rather committing acts of terrorism” to steal money.

    “IPOB is not defending Christians, as their highly paid foreign lobbyists claim,” Mr Buhari pointed out, “when almost every citizen of those states they terrorize is uniformly Christian.”

    A few months ago, Mr Buhari’s regime repatriated IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu from Kenya, and now facing various criminal charges in court. He is in detention. Mr Kanu and IPOB are seeking the secession of the South-East from Nigeria.

    However, Mr Buhari has urged Nigerians to be united against “those who seek to divide us for their own nefarious financial and political gain.”

    (NAN)

  • Kanu’s trial: IPOB suspends sit-at-home order

    Kanu’s trial: IPOB suspends sit-at-home order

    The planned sit-at-home ordered by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) scheduled to have commenced tomorrow (Monday) has been suspended due to the just began National Examination Council (NECO) Exam for junior secondary schools.

    A new date for the commencement of the sit-at-home order, IPOB said would be announced later.

    The pro Biafra group had penultimate week, in what appeared to be in solidarity with it’s detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu, ordered for sit-at-home that would be observed every Monday throughout Igbo land, starting from August 9, until when his trial would end.

    However, in a statement the IPOB leader’s younger brother, Kanunta Kanu said the group arrived at the decision, after listening to pleas from well meaning individuals and groups within and outside Biafra land that the order be suspended to allow students from Igbo land to participate in the NECO Exam.

    “IPOB has listened to pleas from well-meaning individuals and groups within and outside Biafra land that we consider the fate of our children who will be involved in the NECO Exam and based on that, we decided to shift grounds over the sit-at-home order”.

    The statement added that IPOB on its part, having realized the academic deprivation the already marginalized Biafra students who entered for this year’s NECO would suffer, decided to suspend the sit-at-home order to a later date, to allow the students take their exams.

    Kanu equally made it clear that allowing the sit-at-home to go ahead as earlier announced, in the face of the NECO Exam would amount to assisting enemies of Biafra to inflict more injuries on her children.

    “As a group fighting for the liberation of her people from oppression from her enemies, we realized that it would amount to assisting the said enemies to inflict more harm on our children if we do not suspend the sit-at-home order to allow Biafra students take their exams”.

    While making it clear the sit-at-home order has not been cancelled, but only suspended for the sake of Biafra students taking this year’s NECO Exam, the statement called on all IPOB global family members and Biafrans at large to await further directives in this regard. (Sunnewsonline)

  • Just In- Nnamdi Kanu and Sunday Igboho’s Trial; All There is to Know

    Just In- Nnamdi Kanu and Sunday Igboho’s Trial; All There is to Know.

    Alao Abiodun

    On Monday July 26, Nigerians will keenly follow the court proceedings and arraignment of two prominent separatist leaders – Nnamdi Kanu and Sunday Igboho.

    Kanu is the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and founder of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), which agitates for a separate Biafran state for ethnic Igbos in southeast Nigeria.

    Igboho is a Yoruba co-promoter of the idea of an Oduduwa Nation and a self-acclaimed defender of Yoruba territory against killer herdsmen in South West.

    Igboho had led rallies across the South West, including Ibadan, Osogbo, Akure, Abeokuta, Ado Ekiti to sensitise and mobilise the people for his ‘Yoruba Nation’ agenda.

    Kanu had been detained by the Federal Government after he was extradited a few weeks ago. Igboho was also arrested at Cardinal Bernardin International Airport, Cotonou Republic of Benin and detained at Brigade criminelle in Cotonou.

    Here is a quick background on their arrest and other updates to catch-up with:

    Sunday Igboho’s trial updates:
    The Cour De’appal De Cotonou, Benin Republic, last week adjourned the hearing of the case of embattled Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo aka Sunday Igboho, till Monday.

    The Beninise court ruled Igboho’s wife, Ropo, should be released unconditionally as there were no charges against her.

    The court, however, ruled that Igboho be remanded in police custody till Monday.

    The two were arrested at the Cadjèhoun Airport in Cotonou last Monday while they tried to catch a flight to Germany.

    Igboho was earlier declared wanted by the Department of State Services for allegedly stockpiling arms, an allegation he denied.

    The lawyers handling the case reported after the proceedings that lgboho cannot be extradited to Nigeria for two reasons. According to him, they include: Contrary to insinuations, Nigeria and Benin have no Extradition Agreement.

    Nnamdi Kanu’s trial updates:

    Nnamdi Kanu will on Monday appear before Justice Binta Nyako-led Abuja Federal High Court for the continuation of his trial.

    The case of treason involving Kanu was before the judge when the agitator fled the country in 2017.

    Justice Nyako had granted Kanu bail after which he fled Nigeria to Europe. He was, however repatriated few weeks ago.

    Kanu’s lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, however, argued his client never jumped bail, stressing that the Nigerian government made him flee the country. His lead counsel, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, had disclosed that Kanu’s trial will continue as scheduled on Monday despite Federal High Court judges going on recess

    Kanu was ordered to be remanded in the custody of the Department of State Security (DSS) while the case was adjourned till July 26.

    He faces an 11-count charge of treason, treasonable felony, terrorism and illegal possession of firearms but there are indications that fresh charges may be filed against him when the trial resumes.

    Supporters of the embattled leader are planning to flood the Court premises as a sign of solidarity during the trial.

  • Facilitate Nnamdi Kanu’s release- IPOB, Ohanaeze

     

    Igbo leaders in the United Kingdom have demanded immediate and unconditional release of leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, currently in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Abuja.

     

    The group which also flayed the rendition of Kanu, a British citizen to Nigeria for trial, also demanded that he should be paid full compensation for kidnap, torture, rendition and illegal detention.

     

     

    They further called on the international community to impose economic and other diplomatic sanctions on the Nigerian government including its principal officers for their blatant human rights breaches, violations, corruption and acts of genocide against Nigerians, if adequate and acceptable correctional measures were not implemented within a reasonable timeframe.

     

    Text of a press conference in UK by President, Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo, UK Dr Nnanna Igwe, Coordinator, Congress of Igbo Leaders (CIL) UK, Obi Okoli, Leader, Council of Igbo Community (CIC) UK, Alex Coker Ezemakam and Chairman, Ogbako Ndi Igbo, UK, Dr Jude Eze, also read: “We are united in our condemnation and rejection of the security status quo in Igboland and Nigeria.

     

    “We demand of the Federal Government an immediate withdrawal of its deadly troops from the South East region of Nigeria.

     

     

     

    “We ask that they put a stop to the senseless killings of Nigerian Christians including Igbo youths. There is no justification whatsoever for this mindless madness. Consequently, we view continued slaughtering of Igbo youths as a disguised attempt at ethnic cleansing; the youths are the future. And ours cannot be wasted.

     

    “We request the Federal Government to take urgent remedial steps to institute a comprehensive national dialogue, aimed primarily at resolving the apparent imbalances and injustices within the polity. It’s our considered thought that the lopsided federal systems and structure if unresolved and quickly too, could feed more civil unrest and erode confidence in politicians.

     

    “We fully and wholeheartedly support the clarion calls for a truthful restructuring of the country to a functional fiscal federalism with meaningful political and economic powers devolved to the regions,” the group stated.

     

    The coalition said it was mobilising for the ‘London mega 2 peaceful rally’ slated for Saturday, July 24, at London UK Trafalgar Square, to call for Kanu’s release and push for a stop to genocide in the South East of Nigeria.

     

    President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK and Ireland, stated that there would be visits to the British Parliament, No 10 Downing Street; the United States Embassy, Nigerian High Commission and the Commonwealth  headquarters, London.

     

     

     

     

     

    Source: www.sunnewsonline.com

  • British Law Firm seeks Nnamdi Kanu’s consent to take up his case

     

    The British High Commission and a law firm in London, Bindmans, have sought the consent of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, to take up his case.

     

    The PUNCH gathered on Thursday that Kanu’s Nigerian lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, delivered two forms to the IPOB leader on Wednesday during a visit to the office of the Department of State Services, where he is being detained.

    Ejimakor told our correspondent that the development would open up a new chapter in the trial of Kanu, adding that the Nigerian government would be served with summons to bring him to the United Kingdom, where another case would be heard over the manner of his rendition to Nigeria.

     

    He said, “I went to visit him on Wednesday and went with two forms. One was the consular consent form that the British High Commission required that he signs to consent to consular assistance. There was also a form from his counsel in the UK. The firm is known as Bindmans, one of the largest law firms in the UK.

     

    “The forms will open a whole new chapter of legality, including the filing of a Writ of Mandamus, against the Nigerian government in a UK court to compel it to produce Kanu, because his detention is illegal under the British law. It was an extraordinary rendition, which is an international crime by which a state kidnaps a suspect or a fugitive without the due process of law.

     

    “They will be filing all these processes in the UK and there is a prospect of a UK court assuming universal jurisdiction or extra-territorial jurisdiction and reaching into Kenya so that they can arrest every Kenyan official, either authorised or not, and every Nigerian official involved in this case.”

     

    The lawyer noted that the DSS collected the forms, saying they must first go through the vetting of its legal unit.

     

     

     

    He said despite being told that he would collect them on Thursday, he had yet to be contacted by the government agency.

     

    Ejimakor said during his three-hour meeting, the IPOB leader gave a vivid account of how the Nigerian government hired agents, who abducted and flew him into the country.

     

    While quoting Kanu, he said the IPOB leader was blindfolded and flown on a private jet without any extradition hearing or immigration process.

     

    He stated, “Kanu said he was flown to Abuja in a private jet on Sunday, June 27, 2021, from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi, and that he was the lone passenger.

     

    “He was blindfolded and driven to the tarmac very close to the plane without passing through the airport immigration.

     

    “The plane departed Nairobi around 12pm and arrived in Abuja in the evening.

     

    “Kanu was tortured and subjected to untold cruel and inhuman treatment in Kenya. He said his abductors disclosed to him that they abducted him at the behest of the Nigerian government.

     

     

    “The people that abducted him said they were told by their sponsors that Kanu was a Nigerian terrorist linked to Islamic terrorists in Kenya, presumably Al-Shabab. But after several days when they discovered his true identity, they tended to treat him less badly.

     

    “Despite that, they told him they felt committed to hand him over to those that hired them.

     

    “According to Kanu, no warrant of arrest was shown to him or even mentioned to him. And for the eight days, he was held incommunicado, nothing of presenting him before a court or transferring him to an official detention facility was ever mentioned. He was held in a nondescript private facility and chained to a bare floor.

     

    “Kanu was interviewed for the first time in my presence by three DSS officers. The interview was revealing as it contained certain new allegations that were never heard of before. But all the questions relate directly or indirectly to his status as the leader of IPOB.”

     

    The counsel said despite  his client’s ordeal, he was in high spirit.

     

     

     

     

    Source: www.punchng.com

  • Nnamdi Kanu’s Apprehension: If only the authorities could pay attention to and curb Insecurities in the South and other parts of the Country like this

     

    THE arrest of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra by the Federal Government has attracted mixed reactions from various groups, including the Arewa Consultative Forum, who urged the Federal Government to be cautious in handle the IPOB leader’s issue.

     

    The reactions came just as the British government said Kanu was not arrested in the United Kingdom or extradited from England.

     

    Also, the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Tuesday ordered that the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, be remanded in the detention of the Department of State Service.

     

    Justice Binta Nyako gave the order while granting the application by the prosecution.

     

    The counsel for the prosecution, S. M. Labaran, applied to the court to remand Kanu in custody.

     

    Labaran also applied that the trial of Kanu that was earlier slated for October 20 be brought forward.

     

    Kanu, who appeared without legal representation told the court that his house was earlier invaded. So, he had to go underground.

     

     

     

    The court ordered that Kanu be remanded in DSS facility and adjourned his matter till July 26 and 27.

     

    The court also ordered for accelerated hearing and asked the prosecution to inform Kanu’s lawyer of the proceeding in court.

     

    Kanu’s lawyer, Maxwell Opara, told our correspondent that he did not see his client until he left the court premises.

     

    Also present at the court premises was Omoyele Sowore, who told our correspondent that he had just come to the court when he heard that Kanu was appearing in court.

     

    According to him, he stood in solidarity with Kanu as he had been in similar situation.

     

    Earlier at a press conference, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, had confirmed Kanu’s arrest.

     

    Kanu not arrested in UK – British Govt

     

     

    Responding to questions from one of our correspondents in Abuja on Tuesday, the spokesman, British High Commission in Nigeria, Dean Hurlock, said, ‘We are aware of reports that Nnamdi Kanu has been detained in Nigeria by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

     

    “We can confirm that Nnamdi Kanu was not arrested in the UK for extradition purposes.”

     

    How Interpol arrested Nnamdi Kanu while seeking countries’ support for Biafra

     

    Meanwhile, Kanu was apprehended by the International Criminal Police while seeking foreign support for the actualisation of the Republic of Biafra.

     

    The PUNCH gathered that Kanu, who holds Nigerian and British passports, was arrested by security operatives outside his London base on Sunday.

     

    He had been declared wanted by the Federal Government since 2017 after he jumped bail following the invasion of his country home in Abia State by soldiers.

     

    A source disclosed that Kanu was arrested while leaving Israel for an unknown country but this could not be independently verified on Tuesday.

     

     

     

    The source stated, “The request for the arrest of Kanu was made to the INTERPOL headquarters in Lyon, France, about two months ago. Kanu could not be arrested at his London base because he is a British citizen and repatriating him to Nigeria may be challenging and the process cumbersome.

     

    “So, the security agencies waited patiently for him to leave the British soil before moving against him; he was arrested while on transit. There was evidence of his meetings with foreign governments to solicit support for Biafra.”

     

    The source also referenced the suspension of Twitter by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), who justified his action by stating that Kanu used his Twitter account with 300,000 followers “to instruct his loyalists to kill Nigerian soldiers and police officers”.

     

    Another source corroborated that Kanu was nabbed while on transit but said he could not confirm the exact location.

     

    “The Nigerian government used conventional diplomatic means to facilitate the arrest of Kanu through the INTERPOL. There are also suggestions that our intelligence agencies played a role in the arrest and extradition process. It was confirmed that Kanu was picked up while on transit but the location cannot be immediately confirmed,” the source volunteered.

     

    As part of strategies to arrest the separatist group leader, the President was said to have met with the French President, Emmanuel Macron, in May during a summit on the financing of African post-COVID economies convened by the French government, where he sought Macron and INTERPOL’s support for the arrest of Kanu.

     

    Handle Kanu’s case with caution, ACF counsels FG

     

     

    In a related development, the pan-northern socio-political organisation, Arewa Consultative Forum, has cautioned the Federal Government to handle the arrest of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, with care.

     

    According to the ACF, the best way out was for the government to keep strictly to the rule of law in handling the matter.

     

    This, the ACF said, was because the IPOB leader had the support of international arm dealers with the capacity to destroy the country.

     

    This was just as the Coalition of Northern Groups said it received the news of the arrest and repatriation of the fugitive rebel, Nnamdi Kanu, with mixed feelings of apprehension and appreciation.

     

    The CNG hailed the Federal Government and security agencies that made the arrest possible, “particularly the International Police and authorities of the United Kingdom for honouring their obligations with Nigeria.”

     

    Both the National Publicity Secretary of the ACF, Emmanuel Yawe, and the spokesperson of the CNG, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, made the positions of the two northern bodies known in a statement released in Kaduna on Tuesday.

     

    “The best way out is to keep strictly to the rule of law. Kanu and his collaborators must be made to understand that Nigeria is not a failed state and the rule of law still exists here,” the forum said.

     

     

     

    The statement added, “For now, we do not have details of the immediate circumstances leading to his arrest. We do not even know where he was arrested whether in Nigeria or outside.

     

    “We, however, know that the man has no respect for the country called Nigeria and has vowed to destroy the country. Sadly, he enjoys collaboration of some Nigerians who for some reasons want the country destroyed.

     

    “He also enjoys the support of international arm dealers who know that he has the capacity to cause a war to break out in Africa’s most populous country and biggest economy.”

     

    On their part, the CNG said it remained apprehensive until the the full course of justice took effect on Kanu.

     

    The CNG added, “In addition, he must now face additional charges of incitement to violence and killings of people of other ethnicities, particularly northerners, security personnel as a result of his open incitement.

     

    “More importantly, we don’t see Kanu’s arrest affecting the issue of Biafra. While he faces trial hopefully, the CNG is insisting that this is the right time to tackle the Biafran issue once for all.

     

    “We stand our ground that a referendum must be held to determine this and all other agitations for self-determination from any part of the country.”

     

     

    Archbishop alleges Kanu trapped with woman

     

    Reacting to his arrest, Archbishop of Enugu Provence, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev Emmanuel Chukwuma, welcomed his arrest and described it as good development.

     

    The fiery cleric accused IPOB leader of jumping bail, adding that he didn’t appreciate Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe and others who secured his bail.

     

    He said, “Rather, when he was abroad, he was instigating people to cause confusion. We warned him several times to stop that. It’s not only that; we felt that if you are a leader and you are part of the problem of Nigeria, you should come down here, so we can discuss with others on how to solve the problem.

     

    Chukwuma, while describing Kanu as a weak leader, alleged that IPOB leader, “played into the hands of Nigerian Intelligence Agency, who set him up with a woman from London to Brazil, where he was arrested and then tranquilised to the point of bringing him to Nigeria.

     

    “That shows irresponsibility. How can a woman and tranquiliser be a way of catching you if you are really a very strong leader? I feel disappointed in him because they lured him out of London to Brazil with a woman. It’s a shame.”

     

    Adebanjo faults foreign country over Kanu’s arrest

     

     

     

    But the acting leader of the apex socio-political group, Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, has faulted the arrest of the leader of the Independent People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

     

    Adebanjo said the foreign country was not supposed to have handed over Kanu to the Nigerian government while he was enjoying a political asylum.

     

    He said this on Tuesday while speaking with newsmen shortly after the meeting held at his Sanya-Ogbo,  Ijebu-Ode residence.

     

    When asked to react to the arrest and prosecution of Kanu, Adebanjo said. “Anybody fighting for revolution must be ready for that; I was also a victim of treasonable felony. They tried some of us; what the British did, they did for Action Group when they repatriated Chief (Anthony) Enahoro.

     

    “They didn’t do it while we were in Ghana, the government there protected us. He (Kanu) had been giving asylum, they then sent him back. It is wrong and improper, having granted him asylum, to hand him over to his enemy, I condemn it…”

     

    IPOB counsel urges FG to guarantee his safety

     

    In another development, the Indigenous People of Biafra has confirmed the arrest of its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

     

     

    This was contained in a statement by IPOB/Nnamdi Kanu lead counsel, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, on Tuesday.

     

    Ejiofor, in the statement, demanded that Kanu’s fundamental rights must be respected while in custody.

     

    “We have just confirmed through correspondence from the Federal High Court, Abuja, the arrest and the extradition of my client, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, by the Nigerian State.

     

    “It is to be noted, therefore, that no matter the gravity of the offences or charge preferred against him, Section 36(5) of the Constitution still presumes him innocent of the allegation. The legal team ably led by my humble self will meet them in court on this date.

     

    “We insist that he must be given a fair hearing/trial, which is his constitutionally protected right. His safety as also guaranteed under our law throughout the trial and afterwards should be enforced.

     

    “Our fortified legal team will be meeting to agree on strategies within the context of the charge and disposition of the court. Await further updates from us as we progress,” part of the statement read.

     

    Nnamdi Kanu’s arrest may trigger nationwide protest – Igbo group

     

     

     

    Meanwhile, the Igbo National Council has described the arrest of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra as a “rude shock”.

     

    The group in a statement issued in Owerri, the Imo State capital, on Tuesday by its National President, Chilos Godsent, said that the arrest of Kanu might trigger protest in most parts of the country if the Federal Government failed to handle the issue with caution.

     

    The statement, which was tagged ‘Re: Arrest of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu: A mistake of the biggest order by the Nigerian Government, asks government to seek peaceful means in handing the issue’.

     

    Uneasy calm in Abia over Kanu’s arrest

     

    However, it was an atmosphere of uneasy calm in Abia as the news of the arrest and extradition of IPOB’s leader by the Federal Government filtered into the state.

     

    A resident of Umuahia who chose to speak on condition of anonymity said, “Ndigbo are finished”, adding that the news came to him as “a rude shock”.

     

    Another resident asked, “Is it what will be done and there will be peace?”

     

     

    It was also gathered that residents of Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State, were unusually quiet over the issue, “especially as most of them have yet to hear the news”.

     

    However, the Coalition of South-East Youth Leaders said, in a statement by its President General of the group, Goodluck Ibem, and the Secretary General, Kanice Igwe, said, “The Fulani herdsmen kill, rape and maim indigenes of southern Nigerian on daily basis and none of them has been arrested or prosecuted by the Nigerian security agencies.

     

    “Nnamdi Kanu’s arrest is a direct question to Ndigbo that “how dare you speak when we kill, maim and rape your women.”

     

    In Anambra, most people, who spoke with one of our correspondent on condition of anonymity hailed his arrest.

     

    A source said, “It serves him right. He has always lacked tact. This happens to those who don’t listen to advice. The manner of his arrest must have humbled him after all his boasts. Pride always goes before a fall. I think what I just couldn’t stand about him was his arrogance.”

     

    Another respondent said, “Now that the supreme leader has been captured, what happens to the numerous supporters? Unknown gunmen on my mind!

     

     

     

     

    Source: www.punchng.com

  • The President that describes a particular tribe as a dot in the circle

    De facto Customary Government of Biafra, led by Asari Dokubo, has flayed President Muhammadu Buhari for describing Igbo as a dot in a circle.

     

    The group, in a statement by the Head of Information and Communication, Uche Mefor, said the president’s statement clearly demonstrated his intent for a genocidal action against Ndigbo.

     

     

     

    Mefor said: “President Buhari’s statement that the Igbo (whom he referred to as Indigenous People of Biafra are ‘a dot in the circle’ is an unfortunate manifestation of his insatiable desire, genocidal intent and ethnic cleansing of the Igbo Biafrans.”

     

    He said the ongoing militarisation of the entire Igboland and the launch of operation restore peace in both South South and South East is a recipe for his commencement of that genocide and crimes against humanity which he alleged could not complete between 1967 and 1970.

     

    “This is also reminiscent of the description by Leon Mugesera of the Tutsis in Rwanda as ‘cockroaches’ that must be exterminated in the build up to the horrific genocide in that country in 1994.

     

     

     

    “This existential threat which Buhari represents to the entire population is not only for the Igbo in South East but everybody in the South South and should be ignored to the consternation and chagrin of all.

     

    “That is why it is not going to be taken for granted. Hence, self-preservation which is the greatest unconscious and innate human response to danger remains the safest fallback for the population of both the South East and South South.”

     

    Mefor, therefore, called for the collaboration of the South South and South East against the threat by the president.

     

    “The unity of these two regions of Biafra at this particular point in time cannot be overemphasised. All stakeholders and particularly the political class must stand with their people and defend their collective interest.

     

    “They must think beyond 2023 and save themselves from the impending genocide and crimes against humanity. Let us make that sacrifice and make sure South East and South South are protected and insulated from t he invaders,” he said.

  • IPOB in a bid to enforce the anti open grazing law in south east geo political zone

     

     

     

    THE Indigenous People of Biafra on Monday said its security arm, the Eastern Security Network, would soon commence the enforcement of the Anti-Grazing law in the South-East geo-political zone.

     

    This was as the Igbo National Council expressed its support for IPOB’s call on the South-East governors to halt open grazing by Fulani herdsmen in the South-East.

     

    Kanu in the statement specifically said IPOB’s security outfit would commence enforcement of anti-grazing law in two weeks.

     

    The proscribed group noted that it would no longer tolerate any form of killings by Fulani herdsmen in the zone, adding that such will never happen again in the land of, “The Rising Sun.”

     

    The secessionist group stated this in a statement personally signed by its Leader, Nnamdi Kanu, a copy of which was made available to our correspondent by its Director of Media and Publicity, Emma Powerful.

     

    According to the statement, “If you are one of the #Zoo animals suffering from an advanced form of Stockholm syndrome, may it kill you there. We in the East are not, have never been and can never be slaves to any bunch of retards. Ask the British.

     

    “We won’t tolerate any iota of killer Fulani herdsmen menace in the East. You may be comfortable with your wretched Fulanised existence where you are but we won’t live with that rubbish in the land of the Rising Sun. Where were you when our people were being slaughtered, raped and kidnapped in Isiukwuato?

     

    “In less than two weeks, #ESN will commence the full enforcement of Nigeria’s Anti-Grazing Law in the East. Turn into a cow then and see what shall become of you. You are about to understand how determined we are. You have the temerity to talk about monopoly of violence?

     

    “The era of Biafrans crying and lamenting to EU and UN has come and gone. The Dragon Flag has been raised! If you don’t know what it means, go and ask.

     

    “Yap all you like, there is no going back. You #Zoo animals are about to witness the type of madness you never knew existed. Aisha Yusuf.”

    ‌

    Speaking, Emma Powerful, said Aisha Yusuf, an activist from the North, entered into IPOB’s bad book for saying the group has no monopoly of violence.

     

    Igbo group back IPOB

    Meanwhile, a group, Igbo National Council, has said that it was backing the call by IPOB on South-East governors to end open grazing by Fulani herdsmen in the South-East zone.

     

     

    The INC’s National President, Chilos Godsent, urged the South-East governors to emulate their South-West counterparts, who opposed the activities of the Fulani herdsmen said that the herdsmen should not be  allowed any field in the region.

     

     

     

    Source: www.punchng.com