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Tag: Kanu

  • Supreme Court to rule on Fed Govt’s appeal against Kanu’s release December 15

    Supreme Court to rule on Fed Govt’s appeal against Kanu’s release December 15

    The Supreme Court has fixed December 15 for judgment in the appeals filed by the Federal Government and detained leader of proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

    A five-member panel of the apex court, led by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, chose the date yesterday after lawyer to the Federal Government, Tijani Gazali (SAN), and counsel to Kanu, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), made their final submissions.

    The Federal Government prayed the court to set aside an earlier judgment by the Court of Appeal, which quashed the treasonable felony charge against Kanu and ordered his release on the grounds that he was unlawfully brought back to the country after he jumped bail.

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    Kanu urged the Supreme Court to allow the judgment of the Court of Appeal and uphold his discharge and acquittal.

    In his final submission, Gazali urge the apex court “to allow the appeal, set aside the judgment of the court below and affirm the judgment of the trial court (Federal High Court) to the effect that the respondent should stand trial in respect of the charge, which the court below quashed”.

    The government lawyer urged the court to dismiss Kanu’s cross appeal.

    Ozekhome urged the court to dismiss the appeal filed by the Federal Government with punitive cost and uphold the cross appeal in order to do substantial justice to this matter.

    He urged the court to allow the cross appeal filed by his client.

    Ozekhome told the court that Kanu had been in custody since June 29, 2021 “even when the lower court had ordered his release”.

    The lawyer prayed the court “to use this case to demonstrate that no government should trample on the rights of citizens, as was done in the case of Ojukwu v. Lagos State”.

  • JUST IN: Supreme Court fixes judgment for December 15 in Kanu’s trial

    JUST IN: Supreme Court fixes judgment for December 15 in Kanu’s trial

    The Supreme Court has fixed December 15 for judgment in the appeals filed by the Federal Government and detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

    The court chose the date on Thursday after lawyer to the Fed Govt, Tijani Gazali (SAN) and counsel to Kanu, Mike Ozekhome (SAN) made final submissions.

    Read Also: Kanu’s lawyer: no ‘secret meeting’ with President

    The Federal Government wants the court to set aside an earlier judgment by the Court of Appeal, which quashed the treasonable felony charge against Kanu and ordered his release on the grounds that he was unlawfully brought back to the country after he jumped bail.

    Kanu, on his part, wants the court to allow the judgment of the Court of and set aside the later order by the stayed the execution of the judgment.

    Details Shortly…

  • Kanu’s lawyer: no ‘secret meeting’ with President

    Kanu’s lawyer: no ‘secret meeting’ with President

    Lead counsel to the detained leader of oulawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, Mr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has refuted an alleged “secret meeting” between Kanu and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at Aso Rock Villa in Abuja.

    A social media post had claimed that Kanu, who has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Abuja since June 2021, was slated to meet with the President yesterday at 11 a.m.

    The post claimed that “documents” would be presented to Kanu for his review at the meeting.

    “Discussion would be held at exactly 11 a.m Nigerian time today at the Aso Rock Section, after discussions, documents would be presented to him for review, we have no idea yet what this document contains, but we’ve got an eye on that and would bring you updates on that too (sic).

    “His release process would kick off as soon as possible after the meeting today. The Supreme Court would now step in and all would be done. Remember their exposition last week? Due process would be followed. But the end point remains the same, Kanu would go home soon (sic),” the post said.

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    But Ejiofor told The Nation that he had no knowledge of such a meeting.

    The lawyer dismissed the post as false and baseless, describing it as fake news being peddled by some unidentified individuals.

    He said the same information had been posted on a Facebook page by an anonymous source.

    Ejiofor said: “I was with Nnamdi Kanu on Monday and he did not mention anything like that. There is no such a meeting. It is useless information being published on the social media by an anonymous person.

    “Someone had sent the post from Facebook to me earlier this morning, but I said I wouldn’t speak on such an issue because it makes no sense. I wonder how possible it is that Kanu would be having such a meeting without any of his lawyers knowing. “

    “I was with Nnamdi on Monday and what we discussed was about his case coming up at the Supreme Court on Thursday. That is what he asked me to inform Chief Mike Ozekhome about. He did not say anything about any meeting and he did not ask me to tell Ozekhome anything else.

    “All I can say is that I don’t have any knowledge of any meeting and Nnamdi Kanu did not inform his lawyers about any such meeting. It is fake information being circulated by non-credible bloggers who claim to be anonymous.”

  • Work for Kanu’s release, Ekeh urges Southeast governors

    Work for Kanu’s release, Ekeh urges Southeast governors

    Chairman, Zinox Group, Leo Stan Ekeh has urged the five governors of the Southeast to take up the release of Nnamdi Kanu, detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as a one-point agenda to President Bola Tinubu, noting that a positive outcome will quell the restiveness in the region and usher in sustainable prosperity.

    Ekeh made the call at the 2023 Southeast Summit on Economy and Security in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

    In what was the highlight of the day’s session, Ekeh, a Forbes Best of Africa Leading Tech Icon and major investor in the Southeast and other regions across Nigeria, disclosed that no concrete investment or development can take place in an atmosphere of tension and insecurity.

    Consequently, he urged the governors to put aside party affiliations and forge a common front to press for the release of the pro-Biafra agitator, Kanu. Ekeh, whose speech drew a standing ovation and a rapturous reaction from the audience, submitted that the Southeast is a huge economy waiting to happen, added that the region is blessed with an abundance of human capital, a new breed of outstanding leaders and willing investors ready to turn its fortunes around for good.

    ”The average Igbo youth is smart, energetic, and imbued with a dose of spirituality. Equipped with the necessary tools in an enabling environment, these qualities can transform our youths into world-beaters and global champions. We also have quality leaders as governors in the five Southeast states with the confidence to transform the region, an example of which I witnessed yesterday with the unprecedented gesture of the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma to youths in the state. Working together, I believe we can site a centralized digital hub in the region that will produce certified billionaires in the next few years.

    ”However, we must first take steps to secure the release of Nnamdi Kanu as this will instantly bring about a measure of calm and sanity in the region. Kanu is a critical factor in the security issues of the Southeast. President Bola Tinubu is not a stubborn or inconsiderate leader. I am sure he will listen. When he was the governor of Lagos State, he took the advice of some of us to include deserving Igbos in his cabinet and this was how Ben Akabueze emerged,” he counselled.

    The well-attended summit had in attendance notable Igbo sons and daughters from various spheres of endeavour, including the five South East Governors, serving Ministers and members of the House of Representatives, captains of industries, top-ranking officers from the military and other security services, academic dons and corporate eggheads, representatives of women and youth leaders, among others.

    In his welcome address, Imo State Governor Uzodimma, who doubles as Chairman, Southeast Governor’s Forum, harped on the need for unity and oneness among people from the zone to rescue it from implosion. Uzodinma cited the spate of insecurity and the antics of non-state actors in the region. Nevertheless, he promised that the Governors of South-East are working together to ensure that Igboland returns to its previous glorious era.

    ”Participants must rise from the summit with a clear road map that our people will follow to regain the lost freedom and businesses without molestation and harassment. We must stop the senseless sit-at-home,” he stated.

    Uzodinma suggested the floating of the Southeast Development Fund to fund development research. He also hailed the planned dredging of Oguta Lake to the Atlantic Ocean as a step in the right direction, while also commending the Nnewi, Aba, and Onitsha businessmen and women for exhibiting and sustaining the business spirit of Ndigbo.

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    On his part, Anambra State Governor, Chukuma Soludo called for a 100-year development plan for the region. Soludo said the region must make all efforts to thrive despite the ongoing insecurity, adding that the South-East zone is not the most insecure place in the world.

    ”It is very good to lament but I would rather like to see a glass as half full than half empty. The Southeast is ready for business. We must all believe in our ability to turn things around and get the South-East going again. We need not just ourselves, we need Nigeria. Ndigbo needs Nigeria and Nigeria needs Ndigbo. Ndigbo needs Africa and the world and the world and Africa need Ndigbo. As itinerant people, we cannot be intolerant people. We need the partnership of everybody, the partnership of the rest of the country, the partnership of the diaspora, and partnership with the international community.”

    For Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, dialogue represents the way forward in addressing the insecurity in the zone. He called for an understanding of the anger in the land, adding that leaders in the region must pursue justice, stamp out all forms of violence, and stop the extortion of the poor by the rich.

    Also speaking at the summit, Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah talked up the need for a connecting road to all South-East states and a unified market to aid the region in enjoying comparative advantage for specific products. He also encouraged the need for regular meetings between all stakeholders in the states.

    The Ebonyi State Governor, Rt. Hon. Francis Nwifuru, who was represented by his Deputy, Princess Patricia Onyemechi also buttressed some of the points raised by the other speakers, while also recommending closer monitoring of children to nip nefarious associations in the bud and the need for the people of the Southeast to believe in themselves.

    Equally important, the keynote speaker and Director-General, World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala lamented the regressing fortunes of the South-East and the negative impacts of the insecurity in the zone on potential investment.

    Nevertheless, Okonjo-Iweala, who spoke via Zoom, referenced the rich human capital of the region. Among her recommendations to the Governors is the convening of an investment forum, the creation of an apprenticeship scheme from which talented youths can secure gainful employment, set-up of a digital infrastructural centre in the region, leveraging the connections and competencies of professionals of South-East technocrats in the Diaspora to come back home and help in developing the region, the establishment of a financial bond by the governors and optimization of the opportunities in Agriculture, Oil and Gas and other sectors.

    Earlier, Anyim Pius Anyim, a former Senate President and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, also lent his voice to the call for a review of the Biafra agitation. He also emphasized the need for better strategies to rid the region of the prevailing insecurity which he described as brutal.

    The summit also witnessed goodwill messages from the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, with its President Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu calling for more investment by the Federal Government in the South-East. There were also goodwill messages from other key stakeholders including traditional rulers and other establishments, while the Summit Planning Committee, led by its Chairman Sen. Chris Anyanwu also received praises from virtually all the speakers for the professional organization of the event.

  • Kanu: why I won’t beg Fed Govt for my release

    Kanu: why I won’t beg Fed Govt for my release

    Detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu will not beg the Federal Government for his release, his lawyer, Mike Ozekhome, has said.

    Ozekhome, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), said his client had been cleared by a Federal High Court in Abuja, Justice Binta Nyako.

    The senior advocate’s explanation on why the IPOB leader will not beg to regain his freedom is contained in a letter dated August 25.

    The letter is signed by Ozekhome, who is Kanu’s lead counsel.

    Ozekhome expressed concern over the deplorable condition of Kanu’s detention facility in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).

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    According to him, an application has been made to the Chief Judge of the High Court of the FCT to appoint a magistrate to inspect the detention centre.

    He said:  “According to Kanu, begging for his freedom at this point will be an insult to the memory of the late Pa Mbazulike Amechi, who despite his age and ill health, repeatedly travelled from the Southeast to Abuja, pleading with the Federal Government to honour his dying wish, which was treated with the greatest disdain and was also not honoured.”

    These were the high points of the discussion during the meeting between the IPOB leader, his lawyers and family, according to a

    According to Kanu, begging for his freedom at this point will be an insult to the memory of the late Pa Mbazulike Amechi, who despite his age and ill health, repeatedly travelled from the South-East to Abuja, pleading with the Federal Government to honour his dying wish, which was treated with the greatest disdain and was also not honoured.

    Kanu stated his resolve not to plead during a meeting he held with his lawyers and members of his family.

    The letter further reads: “Nnamdi Kanu used the opportunity offered by the visit to extend his heartfelt gratitude to all people of good conscience and groups calling for his release.

    “He however, observed that many people may not have understood the peculiarity of his case, but proceeded to urge us to clarify that he has been effectively and validly discharged by the judgment of the Court of Appeal, delivered October 13, 2022, which the said judgment also prohibited his further trial and detention.

    “Therefore, there is no charge pending against Nnamdi Kanu before any court as of today the peculiarity of his case, but proceeded to urge us to clarify that he has been effectively and validly discharged by the judgment of the Court of Appeal, delivered October 13, 2022, which said judgment also prohibited his further trial and detention. Therefore, there is no charge pending against Nnamdi Kanu before any court as of today.

    “Furthermore, Nnamdi Kanu unequivocally stated that begging the Federal Government to release him at this point is an insult to the memory of late Pa Mbazulike Amaechi, who despite his age and ill health, repeatedly travelled from the Southeast to Abuja, begging the Federal Government of Nigeria, to honour his dying wish, which request was treated with greatest disdain by the Federal Government, and was also not honoured.

    “Thus, Nnamdi Kanu is of the firm view that he does not need to beg the FGN to release him. The Court of Appeal has already made a pronouncement in that regard and that pronouncement has remained sacrosanct till date.”

  • I will not beg FG for release, Kanu insists

    I will not beg FG for release, Kanu insists

    Detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu has said he will not beg the Federal Government for his release.

    This was contained in a August 25, 2023 letter signed by Kanu’s lead counsel, Mike Ozekhome, SAN and released on August 28, 2023.

    Ozekhome expressed concerns over the deplorable condition of Kanu’s detention facility in the custody of the Department of State Services.

    He said an application has been made to the Chief Judge of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory to appoint a Magistrate to inspect the detention centre.

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    He said: “According to Kanu, begging for his freedom at this point will be an insult to the memory of the late Pa Mbazulike Amechi, who despite his age and ill health, repeatedly travelled from the Southeast to Abuja, pleading with the Federal Government to honour his dying wish, which was treated with the greatest disdain and was also not honoured.

    “Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu used the opportunity offered by the visit to extend his heartfelt gratitude to all people of good conscience and groups calling for his release. He however, observed that many people may not have understood the peculiarity of his case, but proceeded to urge us to clarify that he has been effectively and validly discharged by the judgment of the Court of Appeal, delivered October 13 2022, which said judgment also prohibited his further trial and detention.

    ” Therefore, there is no charge pending against Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu before any court as of today the peculiarity of his case, but proceeded to urge us to clarify that he has been effectively and validly discharged by the judgment of the Court of Appeal, delivered October 13 2022, which said judgment also prohibited his further trial and detention. Therefore, there is no charge pending against Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu before any court as of today.

    “Furthermore, Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu unequivocally stated that begging the Federal Government to release him at this point is an insult to the memory of late Pa Mbazulike Amaechi, who despite his age and ill health, repeatedly travelled from the Southeast to Abuja, begging the Federal Government of Nigeria, to honour his dying wish, which request was treated with greatest disdain by the Federal Government, and was also not honoured.

    “Thus, Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is of the firm view that he does not need to beg the FGN to release him. The Court of Appeal has already made a pronouncement in that regard and that pronouncement has remained sacrosanct till date.

    “Therefore, the call every person of goodwill should make in the circumstance of his continued illegal detention, is for the Supreme Court to set down a date for the expeditious hearing of the appeal filed by the Federal Government, as provided for in the Criminal Appeals Practice Directions of the Supreme Court.

    “We visited our indefatigable Client – Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, today, the 28th day of August 2023, to brief him on the various intervening actions taken by the legal team ably led by Prof. Mike Ozekhome, SAN, to address pertinent concerns affecting his welfare and failure of the SSS to avail him of his medical records.

    “To this end, an application has been made to the Honourable Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory by our erudite Lead Counsel – Prof. Mike Ozekhome SAN, to appoint a Magistrate that will visit and inspect the SSS facility/cell where Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has been held in solitary confinement since June 2021 till date, in pursuance to the relevant provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.

    “Following the SSS refusal to avail Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu with his medical records, as directed by Hon. Justice Binta Nyako, in the judgment delivered on July 20 2023, our erudite lead counsel, Prof. Mike Ozekhome, SAN, was compelled by this brazen disregard to an order of Court by the SSS, to initiate a contempt proceeding against the State Security Service and her Director General, for this gross violation of positive Orders of Court.”

  • IPOB: Kanu calls off election boycott

    Leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has called off the proposed boycott of elections by his ground in the entire South-East region.

    Kanu said the decision was reached following wide consultations with “stakeholders.”

    Kanu had severally warned that elections would only hold in any part of the zone on the condition of a referendum to determine the sovereignty of Biafra.

    But in a statement on Friday by the group’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, IPOB said the boycott order was lifted after all terms and conditions were met by “those wishing us to lift the ban on voting.”

    The statement partly reads: “It’s important we notify the world at large and the indefatigable global IPOB family in particular that our supreme leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has called-off the election boycott in Biafraland.

    “After a brief emergency session of the Directorate of State late last night presided over by our leader, it was determined that all our terms and conditions had been met by those wishing us to lift the ban on voting, it was unanimously agreed that the boycott should be lifted.

    “The signed document agreeing to IPOB terms and conditions are in our possession and will be made public in due course.

    “We can, therefore, state with utmost sense of responsibility and pride that IPOB has accomplished what no other people or group has been able to do in the history of our people.

    “Without prejudice, this will go down as the defining moment when the irreversibility of the restoration of Biafra was firmly entrenched in the subconscious of all and sundry.

    “As a result of which we can state categorically that Biafra is a lot closer than we think as a result of this.“

  • Minister denies issuing ultimatum to Israel over Kanu

    MINISTER of Information Lai Mohammed yesterday denied the report that he gave Israel ultimatum over the return of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu to Nigeria.

    Kanu, who resurfaced in Israel at the weekend, threatened to unleash hell on Nigerians.

    Briefing State House correspondents, Mohammed said: “I was in London when I heard the story about Nnamdi Kanu surfacing in Israel. I was not in a position to make any statement.

    “But before I knew it, within a few hours, I saw my picture with a story saying that I had actually given Israel ultimatum to return Nnamdi Kanu otherwise, we will send them missiles.

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    “I just laughed. It speaks to what we are talking about fake news because it is probably the biggest threat in the run-up to the elections.

    “Having said that, I have nothing more to add to the issue of Nnamdi Kanu.”

    He said the appropriate authorities in the country would speak on the issue at the appropriate time.

    He said: “At the appropriate time, the various authorities will make a statement about the issue of Kanu.

    “But this has proven that all along when Kanu disappeared and the mob was asking the Nigerian Army to account for the whereabouts of Kanu; I kept saying that Kanu knows where he is.

    “He was not in the custody of the Federal Government. We have been vindicated today. Any other statement will be made in due course.”

  • Presidency: nothing to fear over Kanu

    The Presidency has assured Nigerians that there is no reason to worry about the outburst by Nnamdi Kanu, the disputed leader of IPOB on returning to the country “with hell’’.

    Malam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity gave the assurance in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday.

    The presidential aide restated that Nigeria under President Muhammadu Buhari was strong enough to defend its territory against any threat.

    He said: “Instead, we see the re-enactment of his bizarre, episodic threat as a mere distraction which will not be allowed to detract from the existing cordial relationships between Nigeria and other countries.’’

    According to him, the Buhari administration is in constant touch with other friendly nations and has the best assurances that they would continue to reciprocate the respect Nigeria has for the sovereignty of their nations.

    “Nigerians have nothing to fear from this,’’ he added.

    Kanu had threatened in one of his recent appearances that he would return to the country with hell.

  • Kanu: Stunt after stunt

    His disappearance looked like a stunt. His reappearance looked like another stunt. An October 19 online video showing the controversial leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, praying in Israel, extended an attention-grabbing drama that began with his disappearance on September 14, 2017. His reappearance 13 months after was as mysterious as his disappearance.

    The group’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, said in a statement that corroborated the video:  ”Fellow Biafrans, friends of Biafra, enemies of Biafra, men and women of goodwill and of good conscience across the world, we wish to reliably inform you that the Supreme Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, prayed today at the Wailing Wall in the Holy City of David in Jerusalem Live today, October 19, 2018.’’

    Kanu’s lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, reinforced the corroboration in a statement:  ”I received a direct confirmation from my client, hearing once from him after 13 months in captivity. I am very delighted therefore, to use this singular opportunity to announce to the world that my client is the very person seen in the pictures /video. That I can confirm authoritatively.”  Has Kanu been in captivity?

    Since Kanu disappeared while on bail, his sureties had been asked to account for his whereabouts, but they seemed not to know. Kanu was granted bail by a Federal High Court on April 25, 2017, after many sympathetic voices had called for his release from prolonged detention for separatist activities.  Kanu was facing trial for “alleged offences of conspiracy to commit acts of treasonable felony and other related offences.”

    Following Kanu’s disappearance, his lawyers had argued that the Nigerian army authorities should be made to produce him because he allegedly disappeared during an operation by soldiers. The operation was described as “a murderous raid, where live and mortar bullets were fired on unarmed and defenceless people, leaving 28 persons dead.”  They had said in their motion: “The invading soldiers who had direct contact with the applicant on this fateful day (September 14, 2017) should be in a position to produce the applicant before the court. It is either the respondent’s rampaging soldiers abducted the applicant during this raid or killed him in the process.” Kanu’s reappearance means that this was an opportunistic claim. A military exercise in the Southeast, “Operation Python Dance,” was ongoing at the time soldiers allegedly invaded Kanu’s house in Afara-Ukwu Ibeku, Umuahia, Abia State.

    After Kanu disappeared, a former governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu, had supplied information about his whereabouts: ”Kanu was not taken away by the military. Kanu went to Malaysia from where he travelled to the United Kingdom… He was not arrested by anybody. He left the country on his own. One of his relations has spoken to me and explained everything because I wanted to see him and talk to him wherever he was and see how I could meet some Federal Government officials on his issue. I also wanted to see ways of talking to the President about him, and find common ground but his family told me that he has left the country, unless they are lying to me.” Kanu’s group and his lawyers rubbished this information.

    An announcement followed: “Mazi Nnamdi Nwanekaenyi Kanu, the former Director of Radio Biafra is hereby dismissed and removed as Director of Radio Biafra following extensive and intensive consultations.” The announcer named one “Mazi Ezenwachukwu Sampson Okwudili as Kanu’s replacement.” Kanu was accused of: “Personalisation of the Biafran struggle and derailing from the core objectives of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as a grassroots movement.”

    There were other accusations against Kanu: “Kanu’s actions and his decisions to incite members of IPOB towards violence leading to the death of many innocent young people in Onitsha, Aba and Umuahia are totally unacceptable and grossly irresponsible. Kanu privately collected £14 million and another $22 million to purchase landed properties abroad in his name and that of his father, Igwe Israel Kanu, in a clear case of ‘monkey dey work baboon dey chop.’ He was also accused of failing to “drum up support for the release of his colleagues and co-detainees such as Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi.”

    IPOB rubbished the reported announcement in a statement:  ”For anyone to believe that faceless hitherto unheard of individuals can wake up one evening and announce the replacement of a man that commands 50 million people with presence in over 100 countries of the world, making him only second to Pope Francis as the personality with the largest cult following on earth, is plain stupid.” This characterisation of Kanu was striking for its hyperbolism.  Who was expected to believe this picture of Kanu’s alleged global stature?

    About three weeks before he disappeared, Kanu was characteristically rebellious when he addressed a crowd on August 27, 2017, at the Boys Technical College (BTC) on Faulks Road in Aba North Local Government Area of Abia State. According to a report, “He used the forum to reiterate that there would not be election in Anambra in November or any part of “Biafra Land” even in 2019, unless the group’s clamour for referendum got the blessings of government.”  He was quoted as saying: “I’m a Biafran and we are going to crumble the zoo. Some idiots who are not educated said that they’ll arrest me, and I ask them to come. I’m in Biafra land. If any of them leaves Biafra land alive, know that this is not IPOB.”

    Without Kanu, days to the governorship election in Anambra State on November 18, 2017, IPOB was still flexing its muscles. Members of the separatist group marched around with a death threat in Onitsha, Anambra State, on November 3, 2017.  They were quoted as saying: “If you vote you will die. Don’t go out, stay in your house. If you vote on November 18, you will die…There will be no election. We will not participate, we will not vote.” The Anambra State governorship election was lost and won, and Kanu was still nowhere to be found.

    What will happen now that Kanu has reappeared?  According to Kanu’s lawyer, “the shocking tale of how he made it alive once again will be made public in his scheduled world press broadcast to be beamed live” on October 21. It would be interesting to hear what Kanu has to say about what happened, where he has been and why he reappeared at this time.