The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nnamdi Kanu

  • Court remands Nnamdi Kanu in prison

    Court remands Nnamdi Kanu in prison

    A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Wednesday ordered that the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu, be remanded in Kuje prison pending his trial for treason.

    The presiding judge, Justice John Tsoho, gave the order after listening to applications filed by counsel to the Department of State Services (DSS) and Kanu on the matter.

    Kanu’s counsel, Chuks  Muoma (SAN), had argued that the accused person be remanded in prison custody away from the DSS cell.

    He said his client had been kept incommunicado for the three months he stayed in the DSS custody.

    He asked the court to send the accused person to prison so that his family could have access to him.

    The DSS counsel, Mohammed Diri, however, prayed the court to keep Kanu in the agency custody for security reasons.

    The judge later ruled that the defendant be kept in Kuje prison.

  • IPOB, MASSOB protest turns bloody in Aba

    IPOB, MASSOB protest turns bloody in Aba

    It was a bloody day in Aba, the commercial nerve of Abia State on Monday as members of two pro-Biafra groups; Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) clashed while the groups were protesting the continued detention of their leader and Director of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

    Unconfirmed reports have it that about 30 injured members of the two groups who sustained degrees of gunshots were being treated in different parts of the commercial city; a total number of 7persons were reported dead.

    Report also has it that another person who was said to have been hit by a stray bullet died at a hospital within the city center where the victim was rushed for medical attention, but due to loss of blood and delay in getting medical attention, died in the hospital.

    Our reporter who monitored the protest report that the fracas which ensued between the protesters and the security agencies forced commercial activities to a standstill as many shop owners in various markets and within the city center forcefully closed for business.

    According to our reporter, a 20-year-old apprentice who was identified as Chidozie Okafor, the only son of his parents and a native of Omuohu, in Eziagu local government council of Enugu State died immediately along St. Michael’s road about 1.pm after a stray bullet allegedly fired by a soldier hit him on his way back to his master’s shop at Pound road after having his lunch.

    It was gathered that the pro-biafra groups who had forewarned Aba residents last week of Monday’s protest, after being dispersed by a combined team of security agencies at National High School along Port-Harcourt road; there usual point of takeoff in the morning, later regrouped around Asa and Park road.

    Sources said that while the protesters had regrouped, security agencies that were on their trail attempted to disperse them, but met stiff resistance by the groups.

    According to the sources who claimed to have witnessed the incident said soldiers serving under 144 Battalion having seen that they were being overpowered by the protesters, started shooting sporadically in a bid to scare the crowd.

    They said that the event however took another dimension when the live ammunition from the soldiers’ guns hit some of the protesters.

    They also confirmed that some members of the protesters were arrested in the process.

    Checks within Aba reveal that security was beefed up around various military formations and police barracks in Aba and its environs.

    In a telephone chat with the National Welfare Officer of Uchenna Madu led MASSOB, Mr. Jude Chukwu, he condemned the killings, and alleged that about five members of the group were reported dead, while 30 members of the groups were currently receiving medical attention in undisclosed medical centers in Aba and its environs.

    Chukwu while blaming police and soldiers for the loss of lives claimed that the protest was peaceful until the security agencies started firing live on unarmed citizens.

    He also used the opportunity to debunk the insinuations making rounds that they; IPOB and MASSOB were working for the camp of Dr. Alex Otti the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, stressing that the reason for their protest was part of their push for the release of the detained leader of IPOB and Director of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu who has been in detention since October last year.

    It could be recalled that the State Police Command in a release signed by its Public Relations Officer, ASP Ezekiel Onyeke Udeviotu had warned that the ban on street protest and any form of procession as directed by the state government was still in place and directed its men and officers to resist any attempt by any group in the state to take to the streets.

     

     

     

     

  • MASSOB to resume mass protests Monday

    MASSOB to resume mass protests Monday

    The leadership of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) said it has directed its members to resume massive protests from Monday 18 January.

    The directive came after rising from a one-day meeting of ‎ national executive officers at MASSOB headquarters, Okwe Onuimo Local council of Imo state.

    A statement signed by the secretary of Uchenna Madu led faction, Ibem Ugwuoke Ibem and the director of Information, Samuel Edeson states that;

    ” MASSOB after series of public protest, demonstrations, civil disobedience and stay at home protest against the continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu by Nigerian Government through the DSS and the non-compliance of Buhari led administration to obey three different competent court orders for Nnamdi Kanu’s release, MASSOB demands that Nnamdi Kanu must be release now or more diplomatic, image, and political damages will be fall the already battered Nigeria’s image with massive, self-determined and non-violence worldwide Biafran Demonstration/protest including non co-operation and civil disobedience.

    “That MASSOB directs all our members at home and in Diaspora to prepare for a massive demonstration, protest and a civil disobedience against the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu (IPOB Leader) starting from Monday January 18, 2016.

    “MASSOB also directs former members in Ralph Uwazurike’s BIM to join and participate in the non-violent worldwide demonstration against Nnamdi Kanu’s continued detention as a mark of Love and respect for Biafra.”

    The pan-Biafra group also condemned the statement of Bishop Chukwuma of Enugu diocese of Anglican Church that Ndi Igbo don’t need Biafra and that our demonstrations are not for Biafra.

    “MASSOB and IPOB are not on the streets demonstrating against bad roads or lack of federal presence in eastern region or non-appointment of Igbos in key federal Government positions in Buhari led administration or against Igbo marginalization.

    “We are committed, consistently and uncompromisely agitating for an independent state of Biafra from Nigeria. Biafra is the answer to the numerous subjective slavery Nigeria subjected Ndi Igbo into ranging from political, Economical, Academic, Religious, Cultural and Social slavery. Today in Nigeria, true nationhood has remained stillborn. Peace, justice and equity has remained elusive to Nigeria which still remains in perpetual strife and increasing crisis since her independence. These undeniable realities are the reasons the Nigerian State is afraid of Biafra which represents the truth they cannot legitimately counter. Biafra speaks of the truth Nigeria know they are guilty of, so out of weakness, jittery and fear Nigeria resort to repressions, persecutions and detention of Biafran agitators,” it stressed. ‎

    It also descended on Dr. Chris Eluemunoh who “claimed Chairman of state presidents of Ohaneze Ndi Igbo and his demand from Federal Government to release Nnamdi Kanu is against our ethics and clamor. MASSOB and IPOB don’t know Eluemunoh as an Igbo Leader with Igbo interest, this man is an agent of distraction working for Nigerian Government which has paid him more than Twenty Million Naira to make several negative press statement against us during the early days of our demonstration.

    “He is not speaking the mind of Ohaneze Leadership as there is no office in Ohaneze as Chairman of State President. Ndiigbo should be wary of people like Dr. Chris Eluemunoh who are wolves in sheep clothing. Nnamdi Kanu will be released and true Igbo Leaders, MASSOB and IPOB Leaders will be on the ground to receive him.”

  • Nnamdi Kanu’s wife delivers baby boy

    Nnamdi Kanu’s wife delivers baby boy

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    Uchechi, wife of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, gave birth to a baby boy at an undisclosed hospital on Tuesday.

    The birth of Kanu’s child was announced in a message posted on the Facebook page of Radio Baifra London.

    No further details were given about the whereabouts of the wife, but thousands of Kanu’s followers rejoiced with their leader in absentia.

    The statement reads: “Good morning great Biafrans. With joy in our hearts and celebration of new arrival to IPOB family, our first lady, the wife of our eminent leader, Joshua Nnamdi Kanu, has delivered a healthy baby boy. Mother and child are in good health.”

    Uchechi may have delivered the baby in the United Kingdom, which is Kanu’s last known location before he was arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) operatives last October.

    Kanu, who is founder of Radio Biafra, was arrested at a Lagos hotel after he allegedly sneaked into the country, using fake identity.

  • Nnamdi Kanu and his Biafran quest

    SIR: Year 2015 will soon be history but not without the lingering issue of Biafran secession that resonated this year by those who felt marginalized and alienated in this present government. Headed by Nnamdi Kanu, the founder, Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB) through his seditious and treasonous radio station was broadcasting hate messages against the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    The IPOB leader, now cooling off in detention pending when the rule of law will decide on multiple charges against him bothering on terrorism has emerged as one of the greatest threat to our nation’s territorial integrity.

    …all traitors must die and so too their families. This nonsensical disease of Igbo saboteurs springing up all over the place in the name of having a different opinion on Biafra liberation will no longer be tolerated especially those who claim they are Biafrans but are supporting APC or APC candidates.”

    The above quote from Nnamdi Kanu sums it all about an average Biafran supporters’ belief in the movement. When you share different opinion with crass supporters of Biafra about their unrealistic dream, you automatically become an arch-enemy with a threat that, when the actualization for a Biafran nation is achieved, you will be among those that will be gathered, tied to the stakes and shot by firing squad because according to their leader, “all traitors from the ‘zoo’ won’t have a place in the land of Biafra”.

    The inciting broadcasts from radio Biafra is already making some misguided elements of Igbo extraction display terrifying ignorance; this can be seen through violent protests in some states in the South-east.

    According to their leader, if losing their lives is the only way Biafra could be achieved, they should get ready not only to suffer persecution in the zoo but to lay down their lives until the republic of Biafran is achieved.

    Nnamdi Kanu’s reference to Nigeria as a zoo was exactly the same way a presenter in Rwandan local radio station incited the Hutus to violence with inflammatory messages in 1994.

    And before the world could get their heads around the Rwandan genocide, one of the most brutal acts of mass murder was committed and in less than 100 days, an estimated one million people were slaughtered.

    There’s a proverb that says, “A speech is like an egg, once it drops it can’t be withdrawn”. With the way sympathizers of Biafra are erupting their volcanoes, I am afraid in coming months, if nothing is done to correct the damage radio Biafra has done to the psyche of Igbo youths, Nigeria may wake up to another maiming and killings in the South-east of those who have different opinions on Biafra liberation.

    IPOB has already declared other parts of Nigeria enemies of Biafra, and the Biafran questions I would love IPOB to answer are: if Biafra becomes a republic tomorrow, how will she cope as an island bordered and surrounded by zoos and what will be the fate of the majority of the people of the South-easterners that has pledged to defend Nigerias unity and up hold her honour and glory?

    With the threat of another holocaust in Igbo land, for non-supporters of Biafra, are the Indigenous People of the Republic of Biafra (IPOB) actually agitating for a sovereign state or a vindictive republic?

     

    • Joe Onwukeme

    unjoeratedjoe@gmail.com

  • How DSS arrested Biafra’s Kanu

    How DSS arrested Biafra’s Kanu

    The Department of State Services has given details of how its men apprehended the leader of a group, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and operator of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

    The DSS said, but for the tenacity of its men, Kanu who, it said, lodged in a hotel in Lagos using fictitious name, would have escaped arrest.

    It also explained how arms and ammunition were recovered in the home of one of Kanu’s associates – Benjamin Madubugwu – at Ubulusiuzor town, in Ihiala Local Government Area, Anambra State.

    The information are contained in a bundle of court documents filed along with a fresh six-count charge recently filed against Kanu, Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi.

    A DSS operative, Temisan John, who led a team that arrested Kanu on October 14, 2015 at the Golden Tulip Essential Lagos Airport Hotel in Lagos said Kanu was apprehended in the company of a woman.

    ” On arrival at the hotel, the staff denied having Kanu in the hotel or having any knowledge of him even when shown his photograph. The hotel’s guest manifest for about five days were also printed and the name was not found on any.

    “However, relying on accurate intelligence, the team decided to conduct a physical search on all the hotel rooms, leading to the arrest of Kanu in Room 303, where he was caught hibernating with a young girl named Maryam Ibezimakor, with all his broadcasting and communication gadgets set for use.

    “It was then discovered that Kanu checked in under the name Nwanekaenyi Ezebuiro. He was subsequently arrested and taken to the command headquarters.”

    Another DSS operative, who led the search of Madubugwu’s house, Mohammed Ahmed, said items recovered in the house located at Ubulusiuzor, Ihiala LG, Anambra State included “two pump action guns loaded with ammunition.”

    He described them as ” one Emerald Pump Action gun, serial number: TS870-113-0046″ and “one Delta Magnum Pump Action gun s/no: 501.”

    Kanu,  Madubugwu and Nwawuisi (identified as a Field Maintenance Engineer with MTN Nigeria Limited were to be arraigned on December 23, but Kanu stalled the proceedings when he told Justice Ahmed Mohammed, before who they were to be arraigned, that he doubted the judge’s ability to ensure fair trial in the case, prompting Justice Mohammed to withdraw from the case.

    The judge, who was not averse to Kanu’s position, later directed the return of the case file to the court’s Chief Judge for reassignment to another judge.

  • Judge withdraws from Kanu’s trial

    Judge withdraws from Kanu’s trial

    Leader of the Indigenous people of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, on Wednesday frustrated plans to arraign him and two of his associates before a federal High Court in Abuja.

    He told Justice Ahmed Mohammed, before whom they were to be arraigned, that he doubted the judge’s ability to ensure fair trial in the case, prompting Justice Mohammed to withdraw from the case.

    The judge, who was not averse to Kanu’s position, later directed the return of the case file to the court’s Chief Judge for reassignment to another judge.

    Kanu and his associates, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi (identified as a Field Maintenance Engineer with MTN Nigeria Limited), were brought to court on Wednesday afternoon under heavy security provided by men of the Nigeria Police and the Department of State Services (DSS).

    They were to be arraigned on six-count charge of treasonable felony, managing unlawful organization and illegal possession of firearms, among others, filed last Friday by the Federal Ministry of Justice.

    Shortly after the case was called, Kanu sought the court’s permission to address it, which the judge granted without objection from his lawyer, Vincent Obetta and the Director of Public prosecution of the Federation, Muhammad Diri, who led prosecution team.

    Kanu said he lacked confidence in the court, and that based on information available to him, he knew he will not receive fair trial before the court.

    “I will not sacrifice the due process founded upon the principle of natural justice on the altar of speedy release from detention. In other words, I will rather remain in detention than to subject myself to a trial that I know amount to perversion of justice

    “There have been several rulings delivered by competent courts of jurisdiction, which the DSS never respected.”

    On ending his statement, the judge asked his lawyer if he (the lawyer) agreed with what his client said about the court. Obetta answered in the affirmative and proceeded to justify his client’s position by arguing that his client was at liberty to decide whether or not he has confidence in a court before which he was to stand trial.

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

    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.

  • Court orders DSS to release Kanu

    Court orders DSS to release Kanu

    A Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday ordered the Department of State Service to release a pro-Biafra leader, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu,‎ from its custody.

    Justice Adeniyi Ademola while ruling on a bail application filed by Kanu held that his continued detention without any pending charges against him is contrary to the provisions of section 35(4) of the Constitution.

    He also set aside last month’s order, permitting the DSS to keep Kanu in its custody for 90 days.

    The judge ruled that Kanu’s continued detention for over two months showed that the DSS lacked‎ sufficient material to prosecute the Radio Biafra chief or was still undecided on what to do with him.

     

  • DSS drops charges against Kanu in lower court

    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.