IPOB Archives

Nnamdi Kanu and the trial of Justice Binta Nyako & others

Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who has been in prison for the better part of the last 10 years is the face of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). He was not the founder. He was at the head of the internal rebellion and the subsequent insurgency that ousted the promoters of IPOB and its handmaiden, the once ubiquitous new Radio Biafra. This radio station stirs deep love, and equally deep hatred and loathing from various sections of a deeply divided Nigeria. Among Igbo youngsters, and they constitute the majority of that nation’s population, as in other population segments in Africa, Radio Biafra was a must listen to. It enjoyed a global reach and so a global followership. At the height of its prowling prowess it was not unusual to hear the majority of passengers inside inter-state commercial buses from the East insisting on the vehicle driver tuning into Radio Biafra for the duration of the trip. I am a witness on occasions when I had a need to travel by that means. On the flip side, haters of Radio Biafra were legion and equally filled with unspeakable bile. The contents of its programming were venomous, hate-filled, irreverent, trenchant and pugilistic. Kanu was a propagandist, and he knew it. Whenever he was on duty and behind the console, the world stopped among youngsters of the Igbo nation wherever they may be in the universe. Nigeria’s former president and affliction, Maj-Gen Muhammadu Buhari, and his co-travelers in that ancient regime could have feigned to be unfazed by the name-calling and two-fisted and relentless attacks on them by Kanu and Radio Biafra, but the truth was that they were unsettled and irritated. At one point, Buhari’s attorney general filed a suit in court against Kanu which key charge was insulting the president. Some lawyers contended then that there was no such crime in our books. Just like Buhari before him, the regime of Alhaji Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is using Mazi Nnamdi Kanu as a pawn in their political chessboard. The intention is to use him for quid pro quo ahead of the 2027 election. Tinubu obviously does not understand the make up of a typical Igbo person. Using Kanu as a bargaining chip will not win him any significant support in the Igbo nation when the time comes. He may have a better chance of making inroads in the hearts and minds of the Igbo if he immediately directed his attorney general and minister of justice to file a nolle prosequi as it concerns the torture and trial of Kanu. So in a span of one decade Kanu has managed to be the leader of a separatist group, a serial defendant in court cases, eternal accused person, head of a terrorist organisation, sponsor of a violent militia, a detainee, a prisoner, an escapee from a violent and bloody invasion of his father’s compound near Umuahia in Abia state, a man determined by a superior court of having no case to answer, a fugitive from the law, among other labels. The current status of Nnamdi Kanu is that of a man serving prison term for an indeterminate period or sine die without being formally convicted by a court of law for any known crime. Early this month a federal high court in Abuja had ordered that he should be hauled before the court on Monday, February 10. If there was a reason for the sudden arraignment, it was not in the public domain. If it was stated then yours sincerely missed it. The curious thing was that the judge before whom Kanu would appear was his ‘customer’. In local parlance a customer is someone you see often and conduct business with. The name of this federal high court judge is Binta Fatimat Remawa Nyako. She is the wife of a retired Navy General, Rear Admiral Murtala Nyako. In a sense Justice Nyako, and the accused/defendant Kanu are customers after Kanu had gotten a prior trial judge recused from his lingering and obviously interminable ‘trial’. Properly speaking, Nnamdi Kanu is not facing prosecution; he’s being persecuted. He is a prisoner of conscience. Even his persecutors know this as an unvarnished truth. As it turned out February 10 was for the resumption of the trial of Kanu on terrorism and other related trumped up charges against him by the federal government. But it wasn’t to be. Justice Nyako was supposed to be seated on her throne. In reality she sat on the throne. The government lawyer, Adegboyega Awomolo was supposed to sit in the front row because of his status as a senior advocate of Nigeria. And he was there. Kanu, the accused/defendant, was as expected in the dock. Ideally, the contestations over fine legal points should be between the prosecuting and defence teams. The judge moderates and holds court, pun intended. It was not to be. It turned out to be a circus and a spectacle soon after the so-called trial got underway. For anyone not used to the Nigerian court system it would have been easy to conclude that the judge and the prosecutor were the persons on trial, the persons in the dock. Kanu did not fight shy in taking over his own defence from his lawyers. He vociferously made accusations, insinuations and inferences that were in no way complimentary to the judge and the lead prosecutor. He alluded to bias, ethical misconduct, abuse of law, corruption, and outright monetary inducements in hundreds of millions of Naira. PLEASE SEE: Education: name, policy not Nigeria’s problem There were viral videos on the altercations in court on that fateful, really disgraceful day. A national newspaper later captured what transpired after first reporting that the suit had been adjourned indefinitely: Earlier in January Kanu (had) filed a petition against Justice Nyako before the national judicial council wherein he accused her of judicial misconduct over his trial. And days later, the IPOB leader called for his case to be transferred to the south east if no judge at

Simon Ekpa: Finnish Authorities Release Two Suspects

Two individuals arrested alongside Simon Ekpa in November 2024 for alleged terror-related offences have been released by the Finnish government. Ekpa, a key figure accused of inciting violence and financing terrorism in Nigeria, remains in custody. The suspects were part of a group of five detained by Finnish authorities over claims of promoting extremist activities via social media, The Nation reports. While specific details regarding the release of the two individuals remain unclear, government insiders confirmed the development without providing further explanation. Meanwhile, Nigeria has begun extradition procedures for Ekpa, with the Chief of Defence Staff confirming that required documents have been submitted to Finland.

Tinubu Revises South East Development Commission Board

President Tinubu has presented a revised list of the leadership nominations for the South East Development Commission for Senate approval. The reshuffle, revealed on December 6, replaces several key nominees while retaining some from the initial lineup. Notable changes include Dr. Emeka Nworgu replacing Emeka Atuma as chairman. The board now features Stanley Ohajuruka as Executive Director of Finance, Toby Okechukwu as Executive Director of Projects, and Chief Sylvester Okonkwo as Executive Director of Corporate Services. READ ALSO: Tax Reform Bills: North Restrategises as Regional Crisis Looms Two new executive directors, Chidi Echeazu and Dr. Clifford Ogbede, have also joined the board. While the managing director position remains with Mark C. Okoye, former board member Donatus Eyinnah Nwankpa has been removed. The revised list increases the board’s size from 15 to 16 members, signaling a broader scope for development initiatives. The nominations await Senate confirmation, marking the next phase in establishing the Commission as a platform for regional growth.

IPOB Counsel says Controversial December Declaration a Hoax

IPOB Counsel, Ifeanyi Ejiofor calls for peace and unity in the Southeast, urging the region to ignore or consider controversial December Biafra Republic declaration as a hoax. Ejiofor’s statement comes on the heels of the arrest of Simon Ekpa, a figurehead of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile, who has been vocal about the secessionist agenda. Addressing the growing unrest in the region, Ejiofor asserted that the claims surrounding the December declaration would ultimately prove baseless and ineffective. He emphasized that time would reveal the truth about these so-called plans for Biafra’s independence, predicting that December would pass without any significant incident. Ejiofor, who has long criticized those behind the Biafra movement’s radical claims, pointed to previous instances where exaggerated reports about military support, including fighter jets and warships, were used to rally support for the cause. He warned that such tactics are nothing but attempts at self-promotion by individuals driven by deceit and fraud. ALSO READ: NIGERIA’S ECONOMY SEE ROBUST GROWTH IN Q3, 2024 The IPOB lawyer also reflected on the wider political landscape, acknowledging the marginalization of the Igbo people within Nigeria’s political framework. However, he strongly denounced the use of violence, fraud, and criminal actions as means to secure freedom, emphasizing that true liberation can only be achieved through nonviolent, legitimate efforts. In his statement, Ejiofor urged the people of the Southeast to focus on restoring peace in the region, suggesting that it was time for reflection and reconciliation. He also stressed the importance of preserving Igbo heritage while acknowledging past wrongs and seeking to address them in a way that honors the community’s values. Ejiofor concluded by calling for a collective effort to restore calm and focus on sustainable progress rather than being swayed by individuals pushing divisive and unrealistic ideals.

Appeal Court Postpones IPOB Hearing to October 31

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has moved the hearing for the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) appeal to October 31. This appeal challenges the group’s proscription as a terrorist organization by the Federal Government. The three-judge panel postponed the session to allow both sides time to submit and exchange all necessary documents. IPOB’s leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who is currently detained, has applied to join the appeal as an interested party. The appeal targets the 2017 ruling by the late Justice Abdul Abdu-Kafarati of the Federal High Court, which banned IPOB’s activities across Nigeria. The proscription followed an ex-parte motion filed by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, on behalf of the Federal Government. In its appeal, IPOB argued that the court’s ruling was unjust and based on incorrect information. The group insisted that it operates within the law and that its actions are in line with its constitutional rights to self-determination. It claims that its protests have been peaceful, involving non-violent demonstrations such as marches with placards. IPOB also highlighted the lack of evidence showing it has engaged in any form of violence. The group further criticized the original ruling, alleging that the AGF failed to provide accurate information during the 2017 court session, which led to a biased judgment. IPOB’s appeal called for the appellate court to dismiss the proscription order, arguing that the high court misinterpreted its activities and failed to acknowledge its peaceful nature. The court instructed all parties involved to ensure that all legal processes are filed and exchanged before the scheduled hearing date.

Soludo Warns Traders Over Monday Market Closures

Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has issued a stern warning to traders in Onitsha’s Main Market regarding the continued closure of shops on Mondays due to the sit-at-home directive. Soludo expressed dissatisfaction with the number of locked shops, stating that any business failing to open on Mondays would be penalized. The governor gave the warning during a visit to the market. The sit-at-home practice, originally called by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in 2021, has significantly affected business operations in the South East. Despite the suspension of the order, fear of enforcement has led to continued closures. Soludo emphasized that the ongoing shutdowns were damaging the local economy and warned that shops could be sealed for up to a month if they failed to comply. He also promised adequate security to support traders in resuming full commercial activities.

IPOB Ban Independence Day Celebration Activities In South-East States

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has banned any form of Independence Day celebration activities in the entire South-East region of Nigeria on Tuesday, October 1, 2024. In a statement issued on Monday by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, IPOB asked people of the South-East at home and in the diaspora to avoid any Nigeria’s Independence celebration globally. Powerful said “IPOB calls on Biafrans (Southeasterners) globally to go about their normal business because we are not part of Nigeria and have nothing to do with their British flag independence of 1960. “We are aware that some prominent Igbo men and women played pivotal roles in securing the flag of independence that Nigeria celebrates annually on every October 1st, however, such independence has taken more blood of Ndigbo to maintain than any other ethnic group in Nigeria. “Biafrans have decided to reject the bloody flag of independence of Nigeria and work for the restoration of a true united and prosperous Independent State of Biafra. “Therefore, every Biafran should reject this Nigerian forced unity as we look forward to celebrating the Biafra independence soon. “Ndigbo must adhere to this clarion call to stop every activity concerning Nigeria’s independence tomorrow. There shall be no flying of Nigerian flags in Biafra territory. There shall be no independence activity for students in Biafraland. “Everyone should go about their businesses or use that Day for family quality time and rest at home for those who may choose not to go for their work and business.” He warned, “IPOB is not joking with the restoration of Biafra freedom and sovereignty. Do not make yourself an enemy of the struggle by participating in Nigeria flag independence celebrations tomorrow. “Parents and guardians must not allow their children to go for any Nigerian independence activities tomorrow. We are monitoring everywhere in Biafraland. As an Igbo Parent, do not allow your children to be sacrificed for a country that considers them less of a human.”