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Tag: Biafra

‘Biafra ‘ll work against Igbo Presidency’

Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Chief Lanre Razak, in this interview with MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE, explains why the party has not met some of its campaign promises to Nigerians. He also speaks on the Igbo’s quest for power shift in 2019 and other issues.

The APC has not met the expectations of Nigerians, why?

I want to thank Nigerians for voting the APC, with much expectation at the back of their minds. But, if you have a bad scenario and you are unable to witness a worst situation, you do not appreciate what you have. Nigeria’s economy was at the verge of total collapse when the APC came to power. Revelations have shown that the situation could have been worse than what we have now. The efforts of changing to good from the level of deterioration that we have cannot happen overnight. The party and the government of the APC are working seriously to turn the situation around. We are aware that APC have men with the pedigrees to change things, drawing from the examples of people like Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and other eminent personalities. Asiwaju performed wonders in Lagos. We are aware of the budgetary situation of Lagos, when he became the governor. He turned it around and Lagos has performed wonderfully well till today. Some of the men used in getting Lagos to its high position, are those supporting central government to get its task done. I want to seek the understanding of Nigerians; it is just a question of time for things to get better. Those who have waited patiently for years should be able to wait for months. Within the budget of 2017, when it becomes operational around June and July, Nigerians would be smiling that the confidence they reposed in APC is not in vain. President Muhammadu Buhari meant well for Nigerians, the leadership of APC meant well for the country. We should encourage them and give them the desired support to move the country forward.

It is said some members of the APC with outsiders are working on a third mega party…

Politics or political parties are not grave yards, where you have absolute silence. We are talking about people managing power and you know what power game is all about. The APC have an effective crisis management mechanism in position to handle any supposedly crisis people think exist in its fold. We have able hands, if any crisis arises. We have National Chairman Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, National Leader Tinubu and a host of other leaders, who are well schooled and grounded in party politics and crisis management. These people are working in collective arrangement to ensure the party is united. We cannot afford to work hard to win election and dismantle the structures. No general go to war, win and turn around to maltreating his soldiers, rather the solders are pampered. And definitely, there is no crisis in the APC. The party is capable of managing its affairs and I am very confident that the party is united and it is a big family. The issues whether the third mega party can emerge and replace the APC, it is easier said than done. I don’t foresee any serious group outside the APC than can form the third mega party. The people who are being mentioned as promoters of this mega party, I have not seen them doing any serious political business. Be rest assured that APC is intact and working seriously to put the country on course.

The Igbo is seeking the support of Nigerians for its Presidency in 2013, any hope for them?

The constitution of Nigeria allows that every citizen of this country can vie for any position, no matter the level. They are assured by the constitution to be there. Let get to the rivers, we will see how to cross it. Nobody has approached our leaders in the Southwest and when there is nothing on the ground, what do we discuss. When they come, we will know how to handle it. They are entitled to it, the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe was the President of this country and was an Igbo man. We trusted him and worked for him. If are Igbo, who could sell themselves to Nigerians, that they are capable, and they in turn assure Nigerians that they will do the best for the country, the people will think of giving them support. After all, they are Nigerians; the only thing I don’t like about them is, why are we discussing Biafra? If there people within the Nigerians context cannot talk to their group, to stop the agitation for Biafra, Nigerians may not be too comfortable to trust them with power. That is my appeal to them; they should work for a united Nigeria and get what they want within the Nigerian context, rather than agitating for Biafra. The agitation for Biafra will work against their dream. Nobody should think of tearing the present political structure apart. They need to educate their people; they need to be seen as Nigerians and people who want to build a united Nigerians.

Lagos has passed death sentence for kidnappers…

It is really painful to have taken that decision; government has been driven to that point. The horror of kidnapping is better imagined than being involved. When you are kidnapped, you become bleak. You think in the next few minutes or hours you could be killed. That could affect your organs for life when you are released. You may not be the same person for the rest of your life. What the kidnappers are doing is to kill people and leave them like vegetable. I am aware of some who undergo such torture, they are no longer useful. Nigerian should realize they can make money, without destroying others. Those they kidnapped, lot of them are innocent. They kidnapped school children, teachers, is that the best way to make money? And unless there is a serious punishment that will serve as deterrent, these criminals will not stop doing what they are doing. The first assignment of any good government is the protection of lives and property, whatever action taken by government to protect the people of Lagos is welcome.

What is your assessment of the Lagos under Governor Akinwunmi Ambode?

The governor is doing lots of job and Lagosians themselves can attest to that. I can assure you that the man is performing. Is it on transportation that the governor has not touched? Look at the blue buses plying the roads, the infrastructure development in the state, the traffic management scheme, security, education and other areas public concerns, the governor has ensured that things are working. The traffic situation is completely under control; let us support his genuine and good efforts to make Lagos count among the best cities in the world.

February 13, 2017
Biafra: Courts remand 46 agitators in prison custody in Rivers

Two chief magistrate courts in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, have remanded 46 Biafra agitators arrested during a rally last Friday in prison custody.
The protesters were marchin in honour of American President Donald John Trump.
The rally by the members and supporters of the Nnamdi Kanu-led Indigenous People of Biafra and Ralph Uwazurike-led Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign States of Biafra(MASSOB).
The protesters were charged for conspiracy and treasonable felony. The charges were not read out to them, neither were they allowed to take plea. The presiding chief magistrate of court five, Samuel Andrew-Jaja, did not also allow the team of defence lawyers led by Ifeanyi Ejiofor to make oral application for their bail. He ordered parties to come up with written addresses within seven days to address the court on the issue of bail and jurisdiction which was mentioned by the defence counsel.
Andrew-jaja reminded the parties that the two charges preferred against the suspects does not carry death penalty. He noted that the offence of conspiracy bears seven years punishment, while treason is life imprisonment upon conviction.
The prosecution, Inspector Romeo Queensoap from Force Headquarter Abuja, accused the suspects of plotting to ovethrow the government.
The second magistrate court where eight were arraigned admitted oral bail application but adjourned for ruling.
Queensoap also objected to the bail of the suspects. The courts adjourned till January 30, for adoption of written addresses and ruling on oral bail application.
Speaking to reporters shortly after the proceeding, Ejiofor absolved the suspects of any violence during the Trump “peaceful solidarity match”, but regretted that the police could open fire on unarmed people.
He noted that 15 of the bodies are presently deposited in different morgues he however did not mention or the state the morgues are located.
The Lawyer also accused the Police of possibly having killed and buried in shallow grave(s) the remaining five persons who are still missing since the Friday rally, and urged them(Police), to kindly go and exhume the corpses and hand them over for proper burial.

January 24, 2017
Rivers: Biafra protest update

One person has been confirmed dead and scores wounded on Friday, during what they called ‘Trump, Kanu peaceful solidarity rally, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

A security source, who did not want to be mentioned has denied IPOB’s figure that eleven of their members were killed during the rally.

The source told The Nation that only one person was killed, “I saw the press release circulated by IPOB that eleven of their members were killed. It is not true; the information is misleading and should not be accepted by the members of the public.

Only one person was killed, that the incident happened along Okporo Road, by Artillery junction, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of State.

“The incident occurred when a joint security operatives shot at the advancing demonstrating youths in an attempt to disperse them, the deceased and those injured were, later, carried aware by security men.”

MASSOB Director of Information, Rivers State Command, Mr Anuken Anthony added that three persons may likely die before tomorrow. He said they were shot in the head, “And they are presently in a critical condition, I don’t think they will survive.”

January 20, 2017
Trump inauguration: Army brutalise protesters, journalist

Some soldiers allegedly detailed to stop a peaceful demonstration by Pro-Biafra members, on Friday, brutalised the Acting South-South Editor of The Authority newspaper, Mr Willie Etim while trying to take pictures of protesting youths.

The over one thousand Pro-Biafra youths in Port Harcourt, had staged a peaceful match in solidarity to the inauguration of the American President, Donald Trump and also to express the plight of Biafrans to the world.

Narrating his ordeal in the hands of the personnel of the Nigerian Army who were fully armed in their numbers trying to stop the protest, Mr Willie Etim said, while on his way to the office, he noticed the massive crowd and he decided as a journalist to cover the protest, only to be attacked by some soldiers.

He said that he narrowly escaped being lynched by two of the soldiers, after they had hit him with the butt of their gun, destroyed his phone and other gadgets.

Mr Willie said “At about 10:00am today, I was on my way to the office when I ran into a huge traffic holdup between Waterlines and Garrison bus stop in Port Harcourt. One lane was blocked and I was wondering what would have caused such massive crowd.

“I got closer and discovered that it was Pro-Biafra protest in solidarity for the inauguration of Donald Trump and also to draw the world attention to the Biafra situation in Nigeria.

“Haven gotten a brief from some of the protesters, I went further to take a picture of the protesting youths, unknowingly, one of the soldiers detailed to quell the protest sighted me as I was taking the picture while I was driving pass the crowd. Immediately, three of the soldiers walked up to me, asked me who authorised me to take the picture. It was then I introduced myself to them that I am a journalist.

“One of them flared up and said ‘what stupid journalist’ and seized my phone which I use in snapping the picture and smashed it on the ground.

“When I attempted to plead with them, to allow me to pick my sim card, they refused and threatened to shoot me if I come down from the car, as the two of them pointed their guns at me from the driver and passenger side of the window. When I insisted on picking my Sim card, one of them hit my car with the butt of his gun.

“Afterwards, the soldier also hit me with the butt of his gun. It was then I got scared and narrowly escaped from the scene to my office”, he said.

January 20, 2017
An expedition around ‘Biafra’

Good morning agbero: I got some Biafra lessons or shall I term it Biafra treatment at a jammed bus terminal in Lagos last year. It was in the heat of the season between Christmas and early New Year. One was caught up in the usual bedlam that characterises the feisty period especially at bus parks. The family was going on home ahead, and to get them on a booked bus at the park was one helluva struggle.

Fares had risen by between 100 and 120 percent (from about N5500 to between N8500 and 12000), depending on transport company. But service quality, if there were any, had dropped drastically as most transport firms were obviously overwhelmed by the throng of passengers.

These companies with hundreds of bus fleet do not seem to understand that they need to employ well-trained managers and workers to run the business. Many still depend on or prefer drop outs and touts (agberos) to run what is a cash-churner. Poor scheduling, lax timing and lackadaisical attitude often mar what would have been the best quick turnover service business in Nigeria today.

So in place of efficient and fluid movement of commuters and their luggage, what we have at most bus parks today is endless melee; bickering among frustrated passengers and listless workers. Having missed one’s scheduled departure by over two hours at the park; raw-nerved and testy, one got drawn into one of those ‘Biafra’ arguments that have become rampant everywhere one turned today.

Biafra banters: “If we had our Biafra, there won’t be this kind of ‘mass return’ in the first place as most of us would be at home,” an able young man quipped near me. He could have been a passenger or a denizen of the park. He seemed dead serious and sure about his assertion and I, distraught and now unguarded, dove into the fray right after him.

“You young people will not let us hear word about this your Biafra… were you there during the war; where is the boundary of Biafra; do you think you can survive in Biafra? Do you know the meaning of Biafra?”

I had let out these salvos of questions before it occurred to me that I had goofed. There was a moment of silence as I became the object of attention of the motley crowd waiting to board. The mild morning harmattan wind filled the void.

“Oga, if you say this kind of thing in Onitsha or Aba boys go carry you o!.” the quiet chill in the young man’s voice superseded the morning cold; the message was not lost on me and everyone around. I had already exited the arena mentally as a few other young men rushed in admonishing ‘Oga’ further as respectfully as they could manage. At the bottom of their argument is: we will eventually get Biafra peacefully or otherwise. Those who are bound to perish would perish anyway and the remnant would inherit Biafra. But more noteworthy, ‘traitors’ beware!

Donald Trump is a ‘Biafran’! The Biafra fever is catching on almost all over Igboland albeit among the teeming underclass population. And the most moving, if ribald revelation one picked is that the air is thick with dangerous propaganda and mischief. An uncle who had heard me try to redirect some youths called me aside and asked declaratively: have you heard that Donald Trump has promised to recognise Biafra?

I laughed unrestrainedly, loud and loose. “And you believed that?” I asked still laughing. “Well I don’t know for you people again,” he answered with resignation tinged with pain in his voice. I must have punctured his balloon.

The intensity of the Biafra fervour and Nnamdi Kanu’s near deification today is a pointer to how much difference 20 months can make in the life of any people. Looking back over these months, it could be said that President Muhammadu Buhari has fed the Biafra monster so well he could almost be accused of being a member!

For instance, if Mr. President had determined to reciprocate with only 3% federal largesse for the supposedly 3% votes from Igboland, he needed not have made a global proclamation of that point. No man announces the disownment of a son who still lives under his roof. It is this ill-humour that may have governed the president’s abominably skewed security team and overall personnel.

It is a team that gives him no benefit of a balanced advice; and indeed, would kowtow to his idea to lay siege to a territory considered hostile to his government. Thus military ‘operations’ (e.g. Python Dance) were heedlessly unleashed where mere improved policing was needed.

Fashola magic? Notwithstanding, in recent memory, the road to Biafra land may be said to have been the smoothest this last festival. From Lagos all the way through Shagamu, Ijebu-Ode, Ore, Benin (by-pass) Agbor, Asaba, Onitsha, down to Owerri bear marks of certain responsiveness. FRSC would probably report fewer accidents along this route this time.

Those who knew these roads would remember when we would detour into thick forests only to resurface on the highway a couple of kilometres ahead. The hitherto horrific portions of these roads bear patches of fresh macadam, a testimony that indeed, someone is at work. And reconstruction work (which started in the last administration) is ongoing at Ondo-Ogun axes.

All these, it must be said, bear the imprint of the indefatigable Babatunde Fashola who be-straddles three ministries including Works. Would he deliver the 2nd Niger Bridge before 2019 and that may well be the most strategic political statement this government would have made in ‘Biafra’.

The annual movement of (conservatively) five million people eastwards is a phenomenon requiring a detailed study as a model of development. Though the region still remains rustic and uncharted and power supply its bane today. The place is largely in darkness being under the vice grip of an egregiously lax power firm.

How a power ministry in Abuja can coordinate power supply in Umunze or Umuchoko must be one of the wonders of modern times. And how one distribution company would deign to light up about 10,000 communities across five states is one of the numbing incongruities of modern Nigeria. Until we elect to tweak our various systems and make them smart, we will continue to wallow in needless abjections.

IDPs bombing: bumble, bumble

It’s scary. When you think this GREAT WAR is about over and someone sensible would work out a closure, worse things happen. One is really troubled that this government may lack the capacity to properly defeat the REAL enemy elements in the Northeast of Nigeria.

What manner of a national Air Force would drop bomb on a crowded place whether they be displaced people or a village square? Even if it were a Boko Haram settlement, the NAF jet could not have been under any serious rocket attack so why pulverise the target below? Even if it be a BH enclave, did the bomber isolate the women, children and perhaps the Chibok girls therein? There is surely more to this bombing…

The same way there are hundreds of unanswered questions on the so-called terror ‘war’. Who are we still “seriously negotiating” the release of the Chibok girls with? Who has the N500m voted for the repairs of the Chibok girls’ school? Who are the financiers and masterminds of BH? Who is in charge of the IDPs camps and the rehabilitation of the Northeast? What do Borno Elders know about this crisis they are not telling the rest of us?

One is afraid that this so-called ‘war’ will never end at this rate…

January 20, 2017
Biafra: Court to rule Feb 10 on Kanu’s motion to quash charges

A Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed February 10 for ruling on a motion by Biafra agitator, Nnamdi Kanu, seeking to quash the charge against him.

Justice Binta Nyako chose the date yesterday after listening to arguments for and against the motion by lawyers to Kanu and the prosecution.

Kanu, who is the National Coordinator of a group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and three of his associates – Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi – are being tried before the court on an 11-count charge.

They are charged with managing unlawful organisation, possession of firearms, felony, unlawful importation and terrorism.

Arguing the motion yesterday, Kanu’s lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, asked the court to quash the six counts in the charge which are specifically directed against his client.

He said: “The six counts preferred against the first defendant/applicant (Kanu) as shown in counts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 in the substantive charge, and the proof of evidence attached thereto, have not disclosed any prima facie case against the first defendant/applicant, such as to warrant setting the substantive charge down for trial against the first defendant/applicant.”

Ejiofor said the counts were “smokescreen charges, basically concocted to ensure that the first defendant/applicant is perpetually held in custody.”

Ejiofor argued that by being part of the 1983 coup that ousted then President Shehu Shagari, President Muhammadu Buhary committed treason against the country.

He said: “My lord it was Buhari that committed treasonable felony in 1983 when he spearheaded a coup that overthrew a democratically elected government, not my client.”

Ejiofor argued that the only evidence the prosecution has to support the charge of treason against Kanu were an extra judicial statement he made to the Department of State Service (DSS), prosecution witnesses’ statemnts and highlight of alleged Radio Biafra broadcasts.

January 13, 2017
Biafra: Court grants prosecution’s request to shield witnesses

•Kanu, others unruly in court

A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted the prosecution’s request to shield the identities of its witnesses in the case involving leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu and three others.
Justice Binta Nyako gave the approval in a ruling yesterday on an application by the prosecution led by Shuaibu Labaran.
Justice Nyako said:”I hereby order that the names of the prosecution witnesses, who are security operatives, should appear in combination of alphabets and such witnesses will be given screens which will be provided by the court.
“The defendants and their counsel will be able to see the witnesses who will be given special access to and from the court,” Justice Nyako held.
The judge adjourned to January 10 for the commencement of trial.
On hearing the judge’s pronouncement, Kanu and his co-defendants suddenly became unruly. They began to murmur.
Their noise was loud enough that the judge had to warn them that she was in charge of the court.
Kanu, Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi are being tried on an 11-count charge of conspiracy, treasonable felony, managing unlawful association and terrorism.
Shortly after the judge exited the courtroom, the defendants, who were still in the dock, began shouting that they were opposed to the ruling.
They persisted to the amazement of the court’s audience, with their lawyers taken no steps to restrain them.
Kanu and the others were later led out of the courtroom by prison officials, who took them straight into some waiting prison vans.
They again, became unruly on sighting many of their supporters, who were waiting within the court’s premises.
At a point, one of the defendants forced himself out of the van, raised his hands high, with clenched fists and shouted: “Death to Nigeria; death to Nigeria. All hail Biafra, Up Biafra,” to which their supporters responded in like manner.
Many of their supporters who were kept outside the court’s premises were also heard shouting and hailing Kanu and others.
While the prison officials were later able to restrain the one making noise and drove the prison van away, other armed policemen, who kept guard outside the court’s premises later dispersed the IPOB sympathisers, who came to court in large numbers.

December 14, 2016
Drop the idea of Nigeria’s break-up, Buhari tells Biafra agitators

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday reiterated the essence of the unity of Nigeria, urging those contemplating its break-up to have a rethink.

He made the call while speaking at a meeting with the Council of South-East Traditional Rulers at the State House, Abuja.

Buhari, according to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, warned that the question of having another country out of Nigeria was misplaced.

“The question of having another country out of Nigeria is going to be very difficult. From 1914, we have more than 200 cultures living with one another. God had endowed this country with natural resources and talented people. We should concentrate on these and be very productive,” the President said.

Addressing specific issues raised in the address by the traditional rulers, the President gave the assurance that the South-East will also benefit from the new railway architecture being put in place by his administration.

On their request for more representation for the South-East in his government, the President said that he was “very conscious of the sensitivities of the South East”, on account of which, he gave the region’s four out of five states senior ranking ministers in the Cabinet.

He appealed to the traditional rulers to persuade their people to give his government a chance and to continue to serve as beacons of culture and traditions of their people.

He assured the delegation that kidnapping and cattle rustling, which he described as “unfortunate” will be the government’s next target, now that “we have managed to calm down the North-East.”

In taking note of the profuse commendation for his administration’s war against corruption and insecurity by the traditional rulers, President Buhari expressed frustration at the endless nature of some ongoing trials, citing some of the cases as going far back to the tenure of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

“We are asking the judiciary to clean itself. Nigerians are tired of waiting. They want some actions,” he stated.

The President said he hoped that the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria and Attorney-General of the Federation will come to some form of agreement by which specially designated courts will give accelerated hearing to some corruption cases that are pending, arguing that “we want Nigerians to know we are serious.”

Chairman of the South East Council of Traditional Rulers, His Royal Majesty, Eze (Dr) Eberechi N. Dick (JP), requested for roads and other projects among other issues, and assured the President of their support for his leadership and programmes.

According to a copy of the presentation to the President at a obtained by our correspondent, Dick urged the President to consider some of the demands made by Biafra agitators including the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Stressing that they are not against one united Nigeria, the group said there was need for the government to look at some of the grievances.

He said: “On the issue of the agitation by some of our youths like IPOB and others for a Biafran Republic. We have continued to engage and preach to them that every problem of the nation can be best resolved through peaceful dialogue and respect for the rule of law.

“While, we re-assure Your Excellency of our total belief in one united and indivisible great nation of ours called Nigeria, we also want to call the attention of the federal government to some of their mentioned grievances for serious considerations, which includes:

“Neglect of the South East in the Amnesty Programme, deplorable state of Federal Roads and other infrastructure in the South East.

“Relegation of oil Producing States of the South East in NDDC projects and exclusion of the South East in key federal appointments.

“Anti-nationalistic treatment of Igbo people by other Nigerians. We also want to call the attention of Your Excellency to the criminal activities of kidnappers, some cattle herdsmen which are posing serious security challenges to the people of South East.

“In the recent times, so many lives and properties worth billions of naira have been lost. While the Governors and Traditional Rulers of the zone have been managing the situation, we want to call on the federal government to use all the instruments of power and resources available to you to come to our aid and rescue.

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December 2, 2016
FG worried by BIAFRA, IPOB threats

The Federal Government said on Monday said that it was worried by the threat posed by activities of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign Of Biafra and the Indigenous People of Biafra which has in recent times turned violent.

He however assured that it was determined to tackle all security challenges facing the country.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, David Babachir Lawal who expressed government’s concern at the opening of the 4th Eminent Persons and Experts Group Meeting in Abuja, said the government is making efforts to engage stakeholders in the south east as a way of dousing tension in the region.
Lawal said security agents have engaged members of the National Assembly and traditional rulers from the south east with a view to creating a synergy whose impact would be felt all over the country, while governors from the area have been asked to initiate activities that would positively engage the Biafra agitators.
While also expressing concern over the increasing level of kidnapping in the country, the SGF lamented that what started on a small scale with personnel of oil companies as the main target has now snowball to all parts and segments of the country.
He said the government was determined to tackle the myriad of security challenges facing the country, adding that security agents are already harmonising their efforts to tackle criminal activities and guarantee security of lives and property of the populace.
He said further that security of lives and property of the citizens remain one of the cardinal objectives of the present administration, stressing that security agencies have been tasked to ensure that every part of the country enjoy relative peace and security, bearing in mind that no meaningful development can be achieved in the absence of law and order.
He stressed that the success achieved so far in the fight against terrorism in the north east is a testimony and appealed to the participants to join hands in mobilizing members of the public to support government in its bid to address the various security challenges facing the country.
Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Odien Ajumogobia who was Chairman of the event noted that while government’s responsibility for and commitment to Nigeria’s economic advancement and sustainable development is not in doubt, implementation of development policies by government is severely constrained by insecurity.

November 28, 2016
Biafra: Court to decide Kanu’s, others’ bail, December 1

Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has scheduled ruling for December 1 in the bail applications by leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, and three others:

Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi.

They were re-arraigned on November 8 before Justice Nyako on an 11-count amended charge.

Justice Nyako is the third judge before who they were arraigned, the other two having withdrawn, following allegations by Kanu that they were bias.

The Biafra agitators were charged with treasonable felony, managing an unlawful society, publishing defamatory matter, illegal possession of firearms and improper importation of goods.

Onwudiwe is charged alone, in one of the counts, with terrorism.

The alleged offences of the accused are about their alleged broadcasts on Radio Biafra and agitation for the creation of Biafra Republic from the Southeast and Southsouth as well as other communities in Kogi and Benue states.

Defence lawyers, including Ifeanyi Ejiofor (for Kanu), I. Adoga (for Onwudiwe), E. I. Efeme (for Madubugwu) and Maxwell Okpara (for Nwaiwusi) argued their separate bail applications.

They urged the court to dismiss the counter-affidavit filed in opposition to their clients’ applications.

The defence lawyers argued that the prosecution’s claim, to the effect that the defendants would constitute a threat to national security if released on bail pending trial, was unsustainable.

Efeme said: “The prosecution has the duties to give the particulars of how the defendants would constitute national security. These documents (provided by the prosecution) do not show such.

“It is the duty of the prosecution to show how the third defendant and the others should not enjoy bail; we are saying they have not.”

Adoge averred that Onwudiwe had not been transferred to prison from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), despite the court’s order to that effect.

The lawyer said the charge against his client was a mere “smokescreen”.

He added: “The Supreme Court has said when the charge is found to be a smokescreen, the court is bound to grant bail to the defendant.”

But Okpara said the counter-affidavit filed by the prosecution in opposition to his client’s bail application was “fundamentally defective” and should be struck out.

The lawyer urged the court to grant bail to his client on basis of the alleged defects in the bail application, a situation which he said implied that the application was not opposed.

He also argued that contrary to the contention of the prosecution, the defendants would only constitute national security threat if they continued on remand while “there will be peace if they are released”.

The lead prosecution lawyer, Magaji Labaran, argued his counter-affidavits and urged the court to dismiss the bail applications and order accelerated hearing in the matter.

He cautioned the court against granting bail to the defendants, particularly Onwudiwe, who was charged with terrorism.

Labaran informed the court about an application he filed seeking protection for prosecution’s witnesses.

Lawyers to the defendants confirmed being served with the applicant, but sought time to enable them respond.

Justice Nyako consequently adjourned till December 1 for ruling.

November 18, 2016