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Tag: Biafra

BREAKING: Biafra: Judge backs out of Kanu’s case

The Judge at the Federal High Court in Abuja has exempted himself from hearing the case against the embattled leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mr. Nnamdi Kanu.

The Judge, Justice Ahmed Mohammed announced the decision on Wednesday in Abuja, following the fresh six-count charges filled by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Justice Mohammed, who decided to step down on the case Kanu’s objection to the case, said that it was needless, as the federal government had repeatedly disobeyed previous court rulings.

It would be recalled that Kanu was charged before the Federal High Court, Abuja alongside two others, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi in a fresh six-count charge of treason and managing the affairs of ‘an unlawful society.’

The IPOB leader, who was arraigned before Justice Mohammed, told the court on Wednesday before commencement of the prosecution’s plea that he preferred being held in detention, than subjecting himself to a trial, which outcome will not be respected.

He said his previous trials had various outcomes that were abused or neglected by the office of the State Security Service (SSS).

The counsel to the prosecution, who is also the Federal Director of Prosecution, office of the Attorney General, Mohamed Diri, told the court that based on section 396 (2) of the constitution, the defendant had no right to object to being tried by the court until after the plea is heard.

Meanwhile, Justice Mohammed who said he was opting out of the case also countered the prosecution counsels, saying that Mr. Kanu had the right to reject the trial, “after all justice is rooted on confidence,” he said.

“If any of the parties has no confidence in the court, he has the right to say so”, Mr. Mohammed ruled, noting that the prosecution would have done the same thing if they were in Kanu’s shoes.

“Assuming it was the prosecution, if they had no confidence in the court of jurisdiction; would they not have done so?

“I hereby remit the case file to the honourable chief judge of this court to reassign it,” the judge summed.

December 23, 2015
Biafra: The gulf between Igbo leaders and masses
The wide gulf between the Igbo masses and the political class is about to be widened dangerously.

The mindless strategy of using the blood, tears and sorrows of frustrated Igbo youths who have lost faith in Nigeria, to curry jobs and favour from President Muhammadu Buhari could create a huge chasm between the leaders and the led in Igbo land.

The meeting of a section of Igbo leaders in Lagos, Friday, who claimed that the pro-Biafra agitators were angry at the obvious exclusion of Ndigbo by General Buhari’s government, is purely designed to use the blood and pains of these youths to merely achieve access to Buhari (which has been denied them) and also curry attention, patronages and relevance.

They know they were lying. They are dangerously threading on a path that could turn the youth against them.

The truth is that the humiliation Ndigbo are made to endure for 45 years, the unjust political structure, the number of states, local governments and political representatives, coupled with the refusal to implement the 2005 political reform conference decision that approved additional state for the South East are at the root of the agitation by millions of Igbo youths for a separate nation.

The political structure that makes it impossible for Igbo land to grow economically, the structure that makes it difficult for marooned and frustrated youths to be accommodated fairly in their father’s land, the structure that encourages external forces to impose leaders on Ndigbo, leaders who in turn owe allegiance to those forces than to their own people – Carpet-Beggary that has been lifted up to the level of a religion.

All these are at the root of the frustrations of Ndigbo and these leaders know that.

Appointment into Buhari’s government is not the reason for the agitation for Biafra. Those trying to use these unfortunate bloodletting to get themselves accommodated into Buhari’s dinner table while remaining silent on the real issues of structural imbalance are only giving the public the impression that they entered a deal with the federal government to try and stop the protests for personal rewards to their cabal.

The world knows that while they were drinking champagne with Jonathan, these boys stormed Enugu Radio Station to declare Biafra Republic in June 2014. While these Igbo leaders were having a good time with the last administration, these same boys stormed Enugu Government House and hung the Biafra flag. Buhari was not President then.

The hopelessness of a future in this political prison, as represented by this unitary structure, frightens them so much that they can only see a bleak future before them. These leaders, who are asking Buhari to decorate the prison, replace the mat in the prison with a mattress and allow them tomatoes stew on Sundays in the prison, should know that these boys want the prison wall to come down flat through restructuring and not making the prison more comfortable.

Elders should not engage in acts that would seal the fate of their progeny just for pecuniary gains that would only be postponing the day of reckoning.

Everybody knows that for 16 years they have been growing in their number, crying for restructuring and level playing field in Nigeria.

Their agitation has nothing to do with appointment of more Ndigbo into Buhari’s government. Granting Ndigbo 20 ministerial slots will not stop the agitation; the youths want a level playing field for all Nigerians. Those packaging this falsehood of appointing more Ndigbo into Buhari’s government will only incur the wrath of the youths. The truth is that the structure of Nigeria is clearly unacceptable to them.
- Uko is the founder of Igbo Youth Movement (IYM) and leader of South East Democratic Coalition
December 20, 2015
Port Harcourt Catholic Knights caution Biafra agitators

Catholic Knights of Saint Mulumba (KSM) of Port Harcourt diocese have called on pro-Biafra protesters to desist from acts capable of bringing back the ugly experiences encountered during the war.

The knights spoke at a news conference held at Dr. Obi Wali International Conference Centre Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

The head of Supreme Knight of Saint Mulumba, Bro. Anthony Onuh, said those advocating for Biafra were young people who did not even witness the war.

Onuh explained that the challenges ravaging the country which ranges from Boko Haram insurgency, nonpayment of salaries are some of the issues which need to be addressed.

He noted that even as they have disagreed with pro-Biafra protesters, it is necessary that government at all level must be proactive to address so many challenges affecting Nigerian youths especially the welfare of Nigeria Citizen.

Onuh said: “I went to the war, I was a lieutenant on the Biafra side and had a bullet wound. And when the war ended I said thanks be to God. So I won’t want anybody to drag us to that experience again. No matter what the problem may be.

“We are facing insurgency in Nigeria, which everybody is praying should be over soon. We have challenges in every phase of our lives. So we are praying that things will be better for all of us. It touches us and we pray that this issue of Boko Haram should be a thing of the past.

“Most of the retired people are collapsing and dying just because they want to get salary from the government. While oversees, they will seat in their houses and receive their salaries through their banks, because they have worked when they were strong.”

December 18, 2015
DSS drops charges against Kanu in lower court

The Magistrate of Chief Magistrate Court, Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, Shuaibu Usman, on Wednesday discharged the director of Radio Biafra and leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on all counts of criminal conspiracy and ownership of an unlawful society filed against him by the Federal Government.

The judge, who held that government has dropped the charges against Kanu, said, “The accused person is hereby discharged and the case struck out.”

The federal government through its agent, the Department of State Services (DSS), opted to withdraw the case at the lower court and moved to higher court, which has jurisdiction to handle terrorism related cases.

Usman was scheduled to deliver judgment on the DSS application on December 1, but put it off until Wednesday.

December 16, 2015
Onu to Buhari: factor Biafra agitators’ grievances into govt policy

•President declines to speak on agitation
at minister’s book presentation

Minister of Science and Technology Dr Ogbonnaya Onu yesterday advised President Muhammadu Buhari to factor in the grievances of Biafra agitators into government policies.

The President, who spoke at the public presentation of a book, entitled “From Opposition to Governing Party: Nigeria’s APC Merger Story”, written by Onu, failed to respond to the minister’s remarks.

Rather, Buhari asked politicians to guide against acts capable of destabilising the polity.

The President traced his relationship with Dr. Onu to his days in protective custody, adding that Onu was among the few Nigerians who stood by him during his trying days.

“My relationship with the author is cordial. When I was placed in protective custody, he was sending people to greet me regularly. That was how the relationship developed. We realised in 2015 that unless we come together, the PDP will succeed in killing Nigeria. We had to make sacrifices,” he said.

Onu said: “In the Southeastern part of the country, there is a growing protest. It is important that all regions are represented in an orderly manner that represents all interests. Buhari understands the plurality of Nigeria and will do everything to accommodate all.

“The Igbos need Nigeria just Nigeria needs the Igbos. We must assure the youths of the South-east that the administration of President Buhari means well for them.”

Onu explained how the three legacy political parties gave up their identities to form the largest political party in Africa, saying “What happened has never been witnessed in Nigeria or Africa when political parties merged to defeat a ruling party. Three political parties gave up their identities to form the largest political party in the history of this country.

“Before this historic event, several efforts were made to bring the opposition parties together. None of that worked. In the past, we had tried to work together. At first, it appeared possible until the whole process collapsed. But in 2013, APC was born. This book is to document the events that led to the formation of the APC. It is about how we moved from being an opposition party to become the ruling party.

“This book will help APC to learn from the mistakes of the PDP and avoid what led to their downfall. In this journey of merger, the hand of God was clearly with us. Most people thought it was insurmountable.

“It is important for me to stress that in writing this book, I do not have any other interest, but to contribute to history. APC will help transform Nigeria into a great nation. The hands of God has remained with this nation. We must all work together to build a Nigeria that is united, strong and prosperous.”

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who was Chairman of the book presentation, said Onu was a man who has a healthy combination of competence, sharp intellect and humility and a gentleman in every good sense of the word.

Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal described Onu as a man of many parts, pointing out that he had the privilege of being the Speaker of the House of Representatives when all that is captured in the book happened.

Tambuwal said: “Then, I was maintaining a very delicate balance. My emergence as Speaker in 2011 was as a result of the efforts of all parties. Back then, the formation of APC was already in the wing.”

Those present at the book presentation also include Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir David Lawal, former Sokoto State Governor Magatakarda Wamako, former Minister of Labour Emeka Wogu, former Minister of Education, Ibrahim Shekarau and others.

December 8, 2015
Pro-Biafra protest turns bloody

The peaceful protest embarked upon by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) turned bloody on Wednesday in Anambra, when the protesters were attacked by the Joint Task Force (JTF) that claimed the lives of about nine persons.

Also eight trucks belonging to Dangote group and a mosque at Sokoto road in Onitsha were burnt.

December 2, 2015
Biafra: Magistrate’s absence stalls ruling in case against Kanu

The planned ruling on the whether or not the Federal Government could withdraw the charge it filed against Biafra agitator and manager of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu was stalled Tuesday by the absence of Magistrate Shuabu Usman.

The magistrate was said to have stayed away from court because he lost his father. The prosecution also did not produce Kanu in court Tuesday to the disappointment of his supporters who had besieged the court.

On the last hearing date of November 22, prosecution lawyer, Moses Idakwo applied to withdraw the charge before the Magistrate’s Court.

But, Kanu’s lawyer, Vincent Egechukwu Obeta objected to the prosectution’s application, insisting that an earlier order of the court, granting bail to the accused must first be obeyed.

Obeta contended that the bail earlier granted his client must be first complied with before any application for transfer of the case to another court could be heard.

Chief Magistrate Shuaib Usman adjourned December 1, 2015 for ruling.

When parties arrived the Magistrate’s Court in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja Tuesday, they were told the court would not sit because the magistrate had been bereaved.

The Department of State Services (DSS) in whose custody Kanu was being detained did not produce him in court.

Despite his absence in court, his supporters turned out in large number, with some bearing Biafra flag, which they held up in front of the court premises where they were restricted by policemen who also turned out in large number.

The Kanu supporters also held placards bearing inscriptions of solidarity for the detained Biafra agitator.

December 1, 2015
Pro-Biafra protest paralyzes activities in Onitsha

No fewer than 20,000 members and sympathizers of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Tuesday blocked all the major roads in the commercial city of Onitsha and its environs, protesting continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu.

Shops were closed with other offices which paralyzed activities in the city of Obosi and Nkpor respectively.

Vehicular movements were as usual grounded by the intimidating number of the IPOB members and their sympathizers who marched from the Niger Bridge Head to the former Ogbunike Toll Gate to register their anger against Kanu’s detention.

The attempts by the military to disperse them failed because of their intimidating number and their resort to non violence.

However, the Military showed professionalism that had never been witnessed in Onitsha, under similar situation as they, carefully implored them to free the road for other users.

Onitsha – Owerri road was not free from the disruption of vehicular movements by the protesting IPOB members who also marched to the area.

The crowd was so intimidating that some street markets and markets located along the road including Bridge Head Market, Onitsha Patent and Proprietary Medicine Dealers Market, Ochanja Market all in Onitsha, New Auto Spare Parts Market and New Tyre Market Nkpor, Building Material Market Ogidi and bakery Market also in Ogidi were all locked.

When The Nation sort to know why they closed their shops, some said they did it in solidarity while others said they were afraid of being invaded by the protesters.

One of their leaders and spokesman of IPOB Comrade Emma Powerful told reporters that they decided to avoid coming close to markets, especially Onitsha Main Market, because of the false allegation by some leaders of the traders, who according him, had been paid to destroy their image, with allegations of looting and destroying the trader’s goods.

According to him, “We are not protesting against our brothers and sisters who are doing their genuine businesses of trading and other businesses, so there is no reason to attack anybody, or invade their shops.

“Neither are we begging anybody to come and join in the protest, people whose lives and businesses have been destroyed by government policies join us without invitation.”

The National Coordinator of IPOB Mr. Chidiebere Onwudiwe who was flanked by Comrade Powerful and other leaders said that the protest was a result of the detention of Mr. Kanu and continued marginalization of South East, adding that the protest would continue Wednesday.

December 1, 2015
Biafra: Ohanaeze demands Kanu’s release

Ohanaeze Ndigbo has said the release of leader of the Independent People of Biafra and Director of Radio Biafra Nnamdi Kanu will end the pro-Biafra protests.

A communiqué after the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Imeobi peace meeting in Enugu noted that the agitations have intensified with Kanu’s detention and demanded his release.

It feared that the development might threaten the security and peaceful co-existence of Nigerians.

Signed by the President-General, Chief Gary Enwo-Igariwey and Secretary-General Dr Joe Nworgu, the statement said: “The Imeobi Ohanaeze condemns any attempt to drag into partisan politics, the public expression of Ndigbo on their exclusion from the Nigeria. We warn those who may be so inclined that they shall bear the full consequences of their actions.

“The Imeobi Ohanaeze Ndigbo notes that Ndigbo are nation-builders found in all parts of Nigeria and cautions that activities threatening the security and co-existence of Nigerians is dangerous and must be discouraged.

“In particular, the Imeobi believes that the protests, howbeit peaceful, is disruptive of the market economy of the Southeast and recommends that they be discontinued in favour of dialogue and constructive engagement in the resolution of the underlying issues.

“The Imeobi Ohanaeze Ndigbo, anxious that dialogue shall replace public protests, further recommends the creation of an ad hoc national platform to address immediate causes that triggered the present public protests, and revisit and redress latent and long-standing issues that continued to threaten the evolution of Nigeria into a modern and united nation where all constituent parts have an equal sense of belonging.”

Ohanaeze called on governors of the Southeast and Southsouth to create employment for youths to ameliorate the restive situation with a view to solving the socio-economic problems bedeviling the country.

It renewed its stand on the 2014 Conference Report for any discourse, even as it appreciated those calling for caution in handling the Biafra agitation.

But a faction of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) yesterday boycotted the meeting.

A statement by MASSOB’s Director of Publicity, Uchenna Madu, said the decision was taken following Ohanaeze’s silence on Kanu’s detention and the demonstrations.

The statement reads: “Another major reason for boycotting the meeting is that some prominent Ohanaeze chieftains like Emejuru Okpalukwu openly disowned the agitators while claiming that Ndigbo is their children. Are we not Igbo?

The statement added: “To restore our confidence, and faith in Ohanaeze Ndigbo, we demand that the Igariwey/Nwogu leadership officially disown and counter those negative and damaging statements.

It said the Ohanaeze leadership should openly admit that we are their children, even the detained Kanu.

“As the apex Igbo organisation and fathers of Ndigbo, we demand they effect Kanu’s release since it is a political matter.”

November 30, 2015
Biafra: South-East governors to discuss complaints with Buhari – Umahi

Ebonyi State Governor, David Nweze Umahi, has restated his resolve to retain his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) even as he confirmed decision of South-East governors to discuss the complaints of Biafran agitators with President Muhammadu Buhari.

Umahi was reacting to speculations in a section of the media that he was set to move to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) when the leadership of the Abakpa Main Market Traders Association, visited him at the Government House in Abakaliki on Thursday.

He said, “When I said publicly that Ebonyi people will support Mr. President, they said, we have moved to the APC. PDP remains our party and will remain our party.

“But we need help and the way to get it is not to start castigating the President and no governor should castigate the President. But opposition belongs to the political parties. For me and you, we are still bonafide members of the PDP.”

On the increasing wave of the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Umahi stated that the South-East governors had listened to the complaints of the IPOB agitators and had decided to discuss them with the President.

“We have listened to the complaints of the boys. There is no way anybody could say that what they are saying is completely outside the truth, but just like husband and wife, you must have a way of getting along through dialogue.

“The governors of the South-East have taken up their matter to discuss with Mr. President and I believe that we don’t need another war in this country. I want to plead with you to encourage whoever is involved that we have taken up the matter and we will do everything possible to make sure that their feelings are addressed.

“We should not support secession. We should not support demonstrations; we should not support the castigation of our leaders”.

Umahi maintained that his government was poised to redefining Abakaliki by looking inwards on how to take advantage of its location as a transit point to “realise our potential.”

Urging the traders to key into the vision of his administration, he stated that the first batch of traders would be relocated to the International Market in April 2016.

According to him, the second batch will be relocated in June while the third and final batches will be in September.

He further announced that the government would be constructing additional vehicular parks and warehouses beside the Centenary City, opposite the International Market as a measure to minimize the inconveniences that traders might face when they move into the International Market.

Earlier in an address, the Chairman of AMMTA, Comrade Emeka Nwome, commended the governor on his life touching achievements within six months in office.

In a related development, traders under the auspices of South-East Amalgamated Market Traders Association (SEAMATA) yesterday expressed support for pro- Biafran movement but condemned the invasion of the market by the pro-Biafra agitators.

SEAMATA, in a statement signed by its President General, Chief Okwudili Ezenwankwo and the Secretary, Mr. Temple Udeh said in as much as the traders support the movement for Biafran state it condemned the attitude of the pro-Biafra agitators/ protesters that was infiltrated by miscreants.

November 29, 2015