Biafra

IPOB: Nnamdi Kanu, legal team, upbeat on Appeal Court victory

Published

1 year ago

September 16, 2022

The legal team of detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Mazi Nnamdi Kanu said they are optimistic that the terrorism charges against him would be quashed by the Court of Appeal.

This optimism comes as his legal team was granted access to him while in the custody of the Department of State Services DSS yesterday in Abuja.

The legal team on a routine visit granted by the Federal High Court was led to Kanu by Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, and Ifeanyi Ejiofor who were accompanied by some of Kanu’s family members.

The visit was to give the detained Biafra nation agitator, feedback on the Court of Appeal’s proceedings of September 13, where the legal team prayed the Appellate Court to dismiss the remaining 7 charges of terrorism and treasonable felony brought against him by the Federal Government.

A statement just released by Ejiofor after the visit said that Kanu was in high spirit and confident that the Court of Appeal in Abuja would discharge and aquit him from the terrorism charges.

Ejiofor disclosed that Kanu used the visit to send words of appeal to his followers to remain consistent, resolute, unshaken, focused and prayerful with the hope that there must be light at the end of the tunnel.

The statement read in part “The court-ordered routine visit to our client, Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has just been concluded at the DSS Headquarters, Abuja, where he is still being held in solitary confinement for over 14 months.

“Feedback was provided to him on the September 13 Court of Appeal proceedings in his appeal against the Federal High Court ruling upholding 7 charges against him. Kanu was elated on the performance and legal prowess demonstrated by his legal team, led by Chief Mike Ozekome, SAN.

“Kanu was enthused by the accounts of the advocacy and submissions of Chief Ozekhome, SAN, during the proceeding, happy with the panel of Justices and was completely convinced that justice is already in the offing

“He was deeply touched by the sacrifices of UmuChineke, who despite the heavy downpour witnessed in Abuja on that fateful day, still thronged the Court, in a show of uncommon solidarity and support for him.

“Kanu unequivocally reiterated his abiding confidence in his dogged legal team, who have always been up to the daunting task.

“Onyendu remains firm, tenacious and holding very strongly to his conviction that his trial will surely end in victory.”

Kanu had on September 13 prayed the Court of Appeal in Abuja to review the April 8 ruling of the Federal High Court which struck out only eight out of the 15-count charge and upheld 7 charges against him.

In his appeal dated April 29 and marked CA/ABJ/CR/625/2022, Kanu insisted that the treasonable felony charges against him had no basis in law and applied to be discharged and acquitted by the Court of Appeal.

Ozekhome, who argued the appeal on his behalf, urged the appellate court to order his release from DSS solitary confinement.

Kanu’s grouse was that the charge gave unlawful global jurisdiction to the high court and that it also failed to disclose the location or date the alleged offences were committed.

A 3-man panel of the Court of Appeal led by Justice Jummai Hanatu has, however, reserved judgment in the appeal till a date that would be communicated to parties involved.

Biafra

Police arrest IPOB commander

Published

12 months ago

December 16, 2022

Ademola Adebayo

The Police in Ebonyi State have recovered Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs and other dangerous items from a suspected camp of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.

Confirming the incident, the Ebonyi State Police Command’s Spokesperson, SP Chris Anyanwu, said the camp was located at Obegu, a boundary area between Onicha-Isu and Ishielu Local Government Areas of the state.

According to SP Chris Anyanwu, the officers from the tactical teams, stormed the camp after receiving credible information that hoodlums were operating and wreaking havoc within Ishielu axis of the state.

He said the police promptly went after them with a joint effort of detectives attached to Ohaukwu Division and they arrested the commander of IPOB in Ebonyi State, Sunday Ubah a.k.a Bongo.

SP Anyanwu said the clampdown on camp led to the discovery of Improvised Explosive Devices IEDs, which he described as the biggest in the South-East capable of causing immense damage to buildings and human lives.

The Ebonyi State Police spokesperson said two of the hoodlums were neutralized, while some police operatives sustained minor bullet injuries.

Biafra

Buhari govt amends terrorism charges against Nnamdi Kanu

Published

1 year ago

November 11, 2022

Ademola Adebayo

The Nigerian Government has amended the seven-count terrorism charges against Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.

The Government filed the amended seven-count terrorism charge against Kanu.

The amended charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015, which was entered before the Federal High Court in Abuja, contained all allegations against Kanu that were earlier sustained by the court.

In a broadcast, the Federal Government said Kanu had issued a deadly threat that anyone who flouted IPOB’s sit-at-home order in the South-East should write his or her will.

The Government claimed that in 2018, Kanu severally made broadcasts that incited his members to kill security operatives and families.

It noted that the offence was punishable under Section 1 (2) (h) of the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act, 2013.

Biafra

Nnamdi Kanu: South-East governors seek political solution

Published

1 year ago

October 31, 2022

Ademola Adebayo

The South East Governors Forum has called on the Federal Government to adopt a political solution in the case of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

The governors made the call on Sunday after an emergency meeting held in Enugu.

The demand formed part of a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting and read by the forum’s chairman and Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief David Umahi said, “South East Governors are watching with keen interest, the developments with respect to the case of Nnamdi Kanu vis-a-vis the court rulings.

“However, we believe that a political solution is still possible in this circumstance.”

The governors decried the state of insecurity in the region and expressed worry over economic activities which have come to a halt while kidnapping and wanton killings have become the order of the day.

They also resolved to set up a 24-hour joint patrol on all major highways in the region.

“South East governors call on the Federal Government to come to our aid in providing security in the zone bearing in mind that elections are around the corner.

“Meanwhile, South East Governors have agreed to set up a 24-hour joint patrol in all major highways within the South East, especially during the Christmas season,” Umahi added.

The governors commended the states and the Federal Government on efforts so far made to alleviate the sufferings of the victims of the recent flood in the country and expressed the hope for a desirable long-term solution.

The governor added, “South East governors have decided to put funds together to further assist victims of flooding in our five states in the South East.

“We also plead with the Federal Government to please initiate action in the dredging of rivers in the South East, to ameliorate the destruction of houses, farmlands and properties. We request the Federal Government to come to the aid of the victims in terms of rehabilitation of the internally displaced persons.”

At the meeting were Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State; and Imo State, Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, who was by his deputy, Prof. Placid Njoku.