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Tag: MASSOB

  • MASSOB threatens to sue police

    MASSOB threatens to sue police

    •Over Enugu Govt House attack

    •Illegal raid on office

    The Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has threatened to sue the police, if they fail to apologise, following the Enugu State Government House attack.

    It said yesterday that the parading of some people as MASSOB members without investigation was childish and an act of cowardice by the police.

    In a statement by MASSOB’s Enugu East Zonal Administrator, Mrs. Augustina Ugwoke, made available to The Nation in Awka, the group said the police should apologise or face legal action.

    The statement titled: ‘Apologise now or get sued’, reads: “MASSOB for the last time demands an unreserved open apology from the Enugu State Police Command for gross abuse and disrespect to our image.

    “If this does not happen, we will sue them for defamation, false information and public deceit.

    “Their declaration of the invaders of the Enugu State Government House as MASSOB members is done out of hatred for MASSOB. We are a respected organisation in Igbo land.

    “The antics of the police can never deter us from our goals.”

    MASSOB said yesterday that it would sue the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Anambra State Commissioner of Police and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Otuocha Division for illegally raiding its Anambra North zonal office at Umueri.

    The group’s Deputy National Director for Information, Mazi Chris Mocha, who spoke after a meeting at Awkuzu in Oyi Local Government, said: “Our lawyers have been contacted to file the necessary papers.”

    He alleged that three of their members arrested by the police were released after the payment of N10,000, N12,000, N13,500.

    “Okechukwu, who was ordered by the police to climb a tree and untie MASSOB flags and who fell in the process and was taken to an unknown hospital, is yet to return, as his condition is uncertain,” Mocha said.

     

  • Police declare pan-Biafran group’s leader wanted

    The Enugu State Police Command yesterday declared the leader of the Biafra Zionist Federation (BZF), Ben Onwuka, wanted for “treasonable felony”.

    This is happening almost three weeks after maembers of the group invaded the Enugu State Government House to hoist the Biafran flag.

    Although Police Commissioner Mohammed Adamu initially accused members of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) of carrying out the attack, Onwuka and his members later owned up.

    He was detained with over 500 members of his group after re-declaring the Republic of Biafra in Enugu on November 5, 2012. They were granted bail on December 11 of the same year.

     

  • Police ordered to pay MASSOB N2m damages

    Police ordered to pay MASSOB N2m damages

    An Ebonyi State High Court sitting in Abakaliki yesterday ordered the police to pay the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), N2 million for illegally raiding its office.

    A MASSOB member last year sued the commissioner of Police, DPO of the Central Police Station and the District Crime Officer (DCO) for raiding and taking away items at MASSOB’s regional office in Abakaliki.

    The case was filed by its Ebonyi Central Regional Director, Mr. John Nwifuru, who accused the police of infringing on its right to a peaceful assembly and association.

    Justice F.C. Inya-Agha held that threats of arrest, harassment and intimidation of MASSOB members and confiscation of its property were unlawful and a violation of members’ rights as guaranteed by sections 34, 35 (1), 40 and 44 of the constitution.

    The judge ordered the police to release the items taken away from MASSOB’s office on 9, Hatchery Road on October 25.

    They include 2,700 identity cards worth N1,000 each, 10 plastic chairs, five mobile phones, a flagpole, a signboard, N170,000, five MASSOB uniforms, six pairs of boots and belts.

    He directed the DPO to publish an apology in two national newspapers.

    The court also ordered the command to pay N2 million damages for the threats of arrest, harassment, intimidation and illegal seizure suffered by the applicant.

    Counsel to MASSOB Jerry Ezenyi said justice had prevailed, praising the court for delivering judgment in favour of MASSOB.

     

  • Court orders Police to pay MASSOB N2m damages

    An Ebonyi State High Court sitting in Abaklaiki, Monday ordered the police in the state to pay compensation and damages of N2 million to the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), for illegally raiding the movement’s office in the state.

    A member of MASSOB had last year dragged the Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State Command, the DPO of the Central Police Station (CPS) and DCO to the court for raiding and carting away items at the Abakaliki regional office of the group.

    The case was brought before the court by a member of MASSOB and Ebonyi Central Regional Director of the movement, Mr. John Nwifuru who accused the Police of infringing on the fundamental rights to personal liberties and right to peaceful assembly and association of the movement.

    The presiding Judge, Justice F.C Inya-Agha in her judgment said that the police infringed on the rights of the MASSOB.

    Justice Inya-Agha said incessant threats of arrest, harassments, intimidation of MASSOB members and confiscation of the properties of the group was unlawful and a violation of the members fundamental rights as guaranteed by sections 34, 35 (1), 40 and 44 of the constitution.

    The Judge also ordered police to release the items taken away from MASSOB office along No. 9 Hatchery road by the police on October 25, 2013. These include: 2, 700 identity cards worth N1, 000 each, ten plastic chairs, five handsets, flag pole and sign board, N170, 000 cash, five MASSOB uniforms, six pairs of boot and belt.

    He directed the DPO of Central Police Station (CPS), Abakaliki to tender an unreserved public apology to be published in two national dailies.

    The Court also ordered the Police command to pay a damage of N2 million for all the various acts of incessant threats of arrest, harassments, intimidations, illegal seizure as suffered by applicant.

    The counsel to MASSOB, Barr Jerry Ezenyi while reacting to the judgment of the court said that justice has prevailed and commended the court for taking the bull by the horn by delivering the judgment in favour of MASSOB with clear evidence against the police

  • MASSOB attacked Enugu Govt House, say police

    MASSOB attacked Enugu Govt House, say police

    •It’s a lie, says group

    The Enugu State Police Command yesterday alleged that members of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) attacked the Enugu State Government House on Saturday.

    Commissioner of Police Abubakar Adamu Mohammed spoke at a news conference.

    He alleged that the invaders tried to enter the Government House to hoist the Biafran flag.

    But MASSOB secretariat denied the allegation, saying the invaders might be miscreants sponsored by politicians.

    “We can’t try such a thing. We have cordial relationship with the Enugu State Governor Sullivan Chime. MASSOB is for the protection of the Igbo interest, including that of the Enugu governor, as he is delivering democracy dividends to the indigenes,” MASSOB Director of Information Uchenna Madu said.

    The police chief said none of the invaders was shot dead, but three were arrested and one injured.

    He identified them as Ifeanyi Chukwuma, Francis Uwakacha, Sunday Okafor and Shadrack Onukogu, from Anambra State.

    Mohammed said the suspects said: “They were invited by some people. They have given us their names. We will soon arrest them.”

    He said he did not know whether their sponsors were politicians or not, adding: “The motive of the people, who invited them, is what we want to establish.

    “We are after the people, who invited them. Investigation is on. We’ll soon arraign those who have been arrested and look for their sponsors.”

    The police commissioner said items recovered from the invaders included two big banners of MASSOB, assorted Biafran flags, machetes and a bag containing charms.

     

  • Tension in MASSOB over change of administrators

    Tension in MASSOB over change of administrators

    There is tension in the leadership of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), following the replacement of the suspended regional administrators in Onitsha and its environs.

    MASSOB leader Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, who announced the replacement in Onitsha after the face-off between MASSOB and traders, said it was with immediate effect.

    Uwazuruike, through the Zonal Leader, Anambra North and Deputy Director for Information, Mazi Chris Mocha, said Mrs. Virgina Ubaezuonu replaces Emmanuel Omenka in Ogbaru Local Government; Chief Ifeanyi Ezeamadi takes over from Mr. Vincent Iloh in Onitsha North Local Government, Nze Christian Umeaka replaces Chief Stephen Ahaneku in Onitsha South Local Government; Mr. Damian Nzekwe takes the place of Chief Arinze Igbani Ayamelum, while Chief Dennis Nworah takes over from Osondu Okwaraeke in Anambra East.

    The MASSOB leader appealed to market leaders in Onitsha to see MASSOB as their own and work with the new administrators.

    He urged them to assist MASSOB in arresting any person using the group’s name to harass or extort money from the public.

    This, Uwazuruike said, was to ensure sanity in Onitsha and its environs.

     

  • Tension in MASSOB Anambra over Change of Guards

    There is tension over change of Guard in the leadership of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign state of Biafra (MASSOB) following the replacement of suspended Regional Administrators in Onitsha and environs, Anambra State.
     MASSOB Leader, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, who announced the replacement of the suspended regional administrators in Onitsha over the face-off between MASSOB and traders said it is with immediate effect.
    Uwazuruike through Zonal Leader Anambra North and Deputy Director for Information, Mazi Chris Mocha, said Mrs. Virgina Ubaezuonu replaces Emmanuel Omenka, in  Ogbaru. L.G.A.; Chief  Ifeanyi Ezeamadi takes over from Mr. Vincent Iloh, Onitsha North, L.G.A. while Nze Christian Umeaka replaces Chief Stephen Ahaneku of  Onitsha South, L.G.A.; Mr.Damian Nzekwe  replaces Chief Arinze Igbani, Ayamelum just as Chief Dennis Nworah has  taken over from Engr. Osondu  Okwaraeke, Anambra East.
    Uwazuruike appealed to market leaders in Onitsha to always see MASSOB as their own and work with the new administrators who have clean bill of health.
    He also appealed to them to assist the Movement to arrest any person using the name of MASSOB to harass or extort money from them and hand such person over to Law enforcement agents.
    He said is to ensure sanity in Onitsha and its environs, disclosing that Mocha will perform  all the functions of  Chief Ralph Uwazuruike within the Anambra North Senatorial district.
  • I’ll take Biafra battle to national conference, says Uwazuruike

    I’ll take Biafra battle to national conference, says Uwazuruike

    Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) leader Chief Ralph Uwazuruike said at the weekend that he will take the quest for a Biafra Republic to the National Conference.

    This is contrary to the guidelines given by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Chief Anyim Pius Anyim, among which is that the unity of the country is a no-go area at the conference, due to begin later this month.

    Uwazuruike spoke at the palace of Igwe Obidiegwu Onyesoh, the traditional ruler of Nri Ancient Kingdom in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State during his 1015th Igu Aro Ndigbo 2014 AD Annual Cultural Festival.

    He said: “I’m in support of Biafra. Until Igbo land becomes a nation called Biafra, I will not sleep. That is what I will support. But that will be discussed at the conference.

    “Perhaps this conference may be the platform for us to discuss the emergence not only the Republic of Biafra but also Niger Delta, Oduduwa Republic and others and even Boko Haram. I’m against a no-go area. I don’t support that, everything must be discussed.

    “And I must tell you that the unity of Nigeria died on the last day the amalgamation ended. As at today, there is no entity legally called Nigeria. I believe that six Republics, representing the six geo-political zones will emerge from Nigeria after this national conference. I can attend the conference on the basis that I want a Republic of Biafra and nothing more,” Uwazurike said.

    He also advised the Igbo to give their maximum support to President Goodluck Jonathan’s second term bid so that he would in turn support the Igbo to realise their own presidential ambition.

    “We have decided after consultations that Ndigbo should continue to support President Jonathan just for our own interest because we believe that at the proper time, the Southsouth and Jonathan will assist Ndigbo to produce the next president.

    “We do not actually want an Igbo man to contest against him now or to confront him. We will continue to support him until he completes his second tenure.”

    Giving the reasons why the Igbo would be backing President Jonathan for a second term, Uwazurike said the President gave the late Igbo leader, Dim Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, a befitting burial in addition to his expected support for the Igbo at the appropriate time, to produce the President.

    Besides, he said Jonathan had given the Southeast an International “functional” airport in Enugu.

    The Igbo, Uwazurike said would “reciprocate this gesture”, this time around when Jonathan needs them most. He would definitely reciprocate the gesture by giving them maximum support during the time of reckoning, he said.

     

  • MASSOB suspends seven administrators over crisis

    The Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has suspended seven regional administrators, following the Onitsha market crisis.

    The decision was taken yesterday at Okwe in Okigwe, during its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, led by its leader, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike.

    Speaking after the meeting, MASSOB’s Director of Information Uchenna Madu said Uwazuruike condemned the alleged action of its members at Onitsha market.

    He said the suspended administrators are Emmanuel Omenka (Ogbaru), Stephen Ahaneku (Onitsha South), Vincent Ilo (Onitsha North) and Innocent Kalu (Oyi).

    Others are Osondu Okwaraeke (Anambra East), Donatus Nweke (Anambra West) and Arinze Igbani (Ayamelum).

    A delegation, led by Madu, has been mandated to visit the traders to settle the rift.

    The director of information said: “We will visit the markets in Onitsha to find out the cause of the problem.

    “After this, we are expected to report to the MASSOB leader for action. We need the traders’ cooperation.”

    Madu said Uwazuruike did not support criminality, adding that the group was the only pressure group in Igbo land.

  • MASSOB: Tension in Onitsha over reprisal

    MASSOB: Tension in Onitsha over reprisal

    There was tension in Onitsha and its environs yesterday, following the alleged reprisal today by the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, (MASSOB).

    There was a report of alleged stabbing and extortion of N400,000 from a trader at the Ugwuagba Obosi Old Motor Spare Parts Market allegedly by MASSOB, which caused the crisis.

    There was an emergency closed door meeting by the chairmen and secretaries of the markets in Onitsha, to forestall further encroachment by MASSOB.

    Ugwuagba market chairman, Ifeanyi Okafor, presided over the Awada meeting, with the branch chairmen in attendance.

    Sources said there was a mild drama at the meeting, as chairmen, who were not indigenes, were prevented from participating.

    A stakeholder, who preferred to be referred to as the Human Rights Liberation Group leader, Chief Nnamelugo Nwokolo, said the exclusion of the non-indigene chairmen was unfortunate and an act of discrimination.

    He urged the Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Abubakar and President Goodluck Jonathan to intervene, saying his main concern is based on the complaints received that some chairmen were excluded from the union when they were supposed to be part of the meeting.