IPOB Leader, Nnamdi Kanu, May Move For Negotiation With FG

Leader of the indigenous people of Biafra Nnamdi Kanu has through his lawyer told Justice Binta Nyako of the federal high court that he will under section 17 of the Federal High Court Act seek negotiations with the federal government. Lead counsel to Mr Kanu, Alloy Ejimakor made this known in open court after he moved two applications brought before the court. The first application is to move form 49 and an application objecting to the jurisdiction of the court. Mr Ejimakor says if the applications are denied they will move for the implementation of section 17 of the Federal High Court Act. Responding to this counsel to the federal government Adegboyega Awomolo told the court that he had earlier informed the defendant that he does not have the powers to negotiate on behalf of the federal government, the fiat given to him does not empower him to negotiate. The defendant should approach the Attorney General of the federation. The form 49 application is a contempt charge against the DSS for failing to obey the orders of the court, granting Mr Kanu unfettered access to his lawyers which the DSS has failed to comply with. The second application is challenging the remaining 7 count charge retained by the court after it had struck 8 count out of the 15. Justice Nyako held that she could not overrule herself, the defendant should go on appeal.

IPOB: “You are a terrorist” Kanu berates FG lawyer Awomolo

Detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB) Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, Monday, blasted counsel to the Federal Government, Asiwaju Awomolo SAN, for perpetrating an act of illegality in a bid to prosecute him. The visibly angry Kanu, told the court that he cannot be tried in Nigeria because the Supreme Court had declared his forceful rendition from Kenya, an act of illegality. “My Lord, I don’t understand why my trial is being conducted contrary to the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Kanu said. He insisted that the Supreme Court had made a pronouncement on his issue, stressing that “Anything you do on the contrary is an act of terrorism. “This man is a terrorist for conducting a trial in violation of an international treaty that Nigeria entered into. Once a treaty is entered into and signed, it becomes a law. “You are a dishonest man. You are a terrorist. Who the hell are you” Kanu yelled at Awomolo.”

IPOB: Kanu to know fate on fresh bail, house arrest requests, May 20

The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu will on May 20, knows his fate in his request for restoration of his revoked bail and the removal from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) to house arrest. Kanu, who has been in detention since 2021 in a motion argued by Ejimakor requested the court to restore the bail granted him in 2017 by the same Judge. The embattled Kanu, had though his Counsel, Alloy Ejimakor, told the court that contrary to the claim of the Federal Government, he did not jump bail or breach any of the conditions of the bail but had to escape out of the country when the military allegedly invaded his house. He insisted that he would have been killed if he had not escaped the way he did and accused the FG of misleading the court to get the bail revoked in his absence. He also asked the court to set aside the arrest warrant issued against him by the court while he was out of the country. In a separate motion, also argued by his legal team, Kanu demanded his removal from the custody of the DSS to a house arrest or in the alternative, to remand him in prison. Besides, he asked that his lawyers must be allowed unhindered access to him to enable him prepare for his defense in the terrorism charges against him, adding that, untill those conditions are met by the Federal Government in line with Section 36 of the 1999 constitution, he would not submit himself for trial. However, counsel to the FG led by Chief Adegboyega Awomolo SAN, vehemently opposed granting of all the requests made by Kanu. He submitted that, in a criminal matter, no defendant has right to dictate to court how his prosecution would be conducted. Awomolo told the court that Kanu was once admitted to bail but breeched the bail by escaping out of the country under false claims. He argued that the fresh request for bail by Kanu is a gross abuse of court process, having been rejected earlier by the same court, adding that the only option available to the defendant is to go to the court of Appeal to challenge the rejection since the High Court cannot over rule itself. On the request for removal from DSS custody, Awomolo said that, the only safe and secured environment for Kanu remains the DSS custody in the interest of safety of his life. He urged the court to dismiss the allegation of hindered access to lawyers by Kanu, adding that, in his application and the supporting affidavit, he, Kanu failed to name any DSS operative hindering lawyers from accessing him or eavesdropping during conversation with lawyers. Speaking with journalists after the proceedings, a House of Representatives members, Hon Ikenga Ugochinyere praised the legal team of Kanu for standing to get fair trial for their client adding that, under the present circumstances, there would be no opportunity for Kanu to get better deal when his hands and legs are tied in the custody of the DSS. He appealed to President Bola Tinubu to end the trial logjam by ensuring out of court settlement for general peace to reign in the country. After taking arguments from both parties, Justice Binta Nyako fixed May 20 for ruling .

IPOB: Kanu’s family insists he needs cardiologist

The family of the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has raised fresh concern over his continued failing health, saying he needs urgent medical attention to avert a major health crisis. This is as the family sought to know those benefiting from the alleged whopping N800 million that the Federal Government spends as the cost of bringing him to court any time he is to make appearance. Spokesman of the family, Prince Emmanuel Kanu in a statement on Sunday said the family heard that the Federal Government spent N800 million each time he was brought to court. His words:” Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has finally become a money-minting venture for a few corrupt individuals in the corridors of power. “We heard that Government spends N800 million each time he is brought to court. Then, we want to know who the beneficiaries of the said money are? “Government should tell the people who collects and spends the money, and on what. “Our fear is that if it’s true that such humongous amount of money were spent on bringing him to court any time he is to appear, then it may be impossible to grant him bail any time soon because the cabal benefiting from his continued incarceration may not be willing to let go of their oil well.” The family which recently berated the Igbo political class for allegedly abandoning their son, expressed deep worry over his health condition. “We just got information that he is critically down. He has not been granted access to his personal doctors, and he urgently needs cardiologist. He should not be allowed to die in DSS custody”. The family, once again, called on the international community, to prevail on Nigeria to release the IPOB Leader who, it said, “is unjustly held for demanding the freedom of his Biafra people “. Kanu has remained in a solitary confinement at the Abuja headquarters of the Department of State Services, (DSS), since June 21 when he was abducted and extraordinarily renditioned from Kenya.

How Two Police Officers Were Killed By Unknown Gunmen On Saturday In Imo

Unknown gunmen suspected to be members of the Eastern Security Network, ESN, an armed group of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, have killed two police officers along old Gariki Road, Okigwe Council Area of Imo State. This was disclosed by the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Henry Okoye, on Saturday in Owerri While giving an account of how the incident happened, the police said the gunmen threw dynamites at the officers while on security patrol. Two of the officers were killed and four others survived the attack after an exchange of gunfire with the attackers. “The Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Aboki Danjuma has condemned the attack and gruesome murder of personnel of Mopol 18, Owerri, by gunmen suspected to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate Eastern Security Network (ESN). “The officers were ambushed in the early hours of today, 23/03/2024 while on patrol duties along old Gariki Road Okigwe by the disgruntled elements who threw dynamite on the officer’s patrol vehicle and engaged them in a protracted gunfight. In the process, two officers paid the ultimate price while four others survived the attack. “On receipt of the ugly incident, the Commissioner of Police Imo State Command, CP Aboki Danjuma alongside Commander Mopol 18 and 64, immediately led operatives of the Command’s Special Tactical Unit to the crime scene for on-the-spot assessment and tasked the operatives to go all out in synergy with other security agencies and hunt down the hoodlums responsible for the attack. “More so, CP Aboki Danjuma has mandated the Assistant Commissioner of Police in Charge Okigwe, the DPO, and other Tactical units deployed in Okigwe to embark on visibility patrol, intelligence-led raids of criminal hideouts, and place watertight security to forestall any future occurrence,” Okoye said. The CP, therefore, urged the general public, especially the residents of Okigwe who may have any useful information to assist the Police in the investigation to kindly do so by reporting at the nearest police station or via 08034773600, 08103341610. He also appealed to the residents to go about their lawful business without any form of fear or intimidation and not panic at the sight of the massive deployment of security operatives in Okigwe. He urged them to support the Police and other security agencies in the onslaught against violent crimes in the State.

IPOB: Kanu knows fate on fresh bail application, March 19

Nnamdi Kanu, the self acclaimed leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), will on March 19, know fate on his fresh bail application in the terrorism charges against him by the federal government. The trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako, fixed the date after taking arguments from his counsel, Alloy Ejimakor, praying for his bail, while counsel to the FG, Adegboyega Awomolo SAN objected to granting of bail. In his argument, Kanu prayed for bail to enable him to have unfettered access to his lawyers for his defense. He also claimed to be suffering from acute hypertension and acute heart disease, among other diseases. Responding, FG objected to the application on the ground that Kanu was once granted bail but jumped and fled the country. Awomolo posited that all the bail conditions set by the court were breached and violated and pleaded with the court to dismiss the request. On another motion before the court, Kanu prayed the court not to allow continuation of his trial until certain conditions were met by the federal government. Among others, he requested that Department of State Security (DSS)operatives be barred from interfering with his lawyers during visitation. He also asked that the court should compel the federal government to wear the clothes of his choice. Reacting, the federal government objected to the request on the ground that he has no right under any law to dictate how his trial should be conducted. Consequently, Awomolo asked the court to dismiss the motion on the ground that it was a gross abuse of the court process that must not be allowed. In the meantime, the matter will continue March 19 for ruling on the bail application.

FG To Resume Trial Of IPOB Leader Nnamdi Kanu On Terrorism Charges

The Federal Government of Nigeria is set to recommence the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), on terrorism charges. Following a Supreme Court judgment on December 15, 2023, permitting the continuation of the trial, proceedings are scheduled to resume on Monday, February 26. The trial will take place before Justice Binta Nyako at the Federal High Court in Abuja, as indicated in a notice viewed by reporters.  Notably, Kanu’s lead counsel, Mike Ozekhome, and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice have been duly notified. Efforts have also been made to ensure Kanu’s presence in court, with the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS) contacted for this purpose.  Kanu has been in DSS custody since his arrest in Kenya on June 19, 2021, and subsequent extradition to Nigeria. Initially facing 15-count terrorism charges, Justice Binta Nyako dismissed eight of the charges during the trial.  The Court of Appeal in Abuja later overturned the entire terrorism case in October 2022, citing the unlawful rendition of Kanu by the Nigerian government from Kenya. However, the Supreme Court, in a unanimous judgment delivered by Justice Garba Lawal on December 15, 2023, overturned the Court of Appeal’s decision, affirming the continuation of Kanu’s trial.  Despite acknowledging the irregularities in Kanu’s extradition, the Apex Court emphasized that such actions did not hinder the court’s authority to proceed with the trial, suggesting that the appropriate remedy for Kanu would be through a civil matter against the government.

Again, troops destroy more IPOB/ESN camps in Anambra, Imo

A combined troop of 82 Division, Nigerian Army, sister Services, Nigeria Police, and other security agencies have successfully raided hideouts and training camps belonging to the IPOB/ESN in Orsumoghu Forest spanning Anambra and Imo States. This is contained in a statement by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, on Tuesday in Abuja. Nwachukwu said the raid was in continuation of ongoing operations to deter enforcement of the illegal sit-at-home order declared by the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, Eastern Security Network (ESN), in the South East. He said the raid operation was carried out on Monday when troops were alerted of the violent activities of the irredentist group enforcing the illegal two weeks sit-at-home order in Onitsha, Nnewi and Iheme Obosi in Anambra State, as well as at New Market in Enugu state. He said the troops cleared IPOB camps in Ekeututu, Orsumoghu, Lilu and Mother Valley camps of the dissidents during the operations. According to him, troops came in contact with the group’s armed fighters, who detonated Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), also known as Ogbunigwe, and fired using locally-fabricated mortar tube. Nwachukwu said the valiant troops overpowered the irredentist group in the firefight, compelling them to abandon their position and fled with gunshot wounds into nearby bushes. “Further cordon and search of the hideouts by the troops, led to the arrest of five fleeing members of the group and recovery of one IPOB flag, one CCTV camera and two detonated IED bombs, and a fabricated mortar tube. “Sadly, five soldiers and two Nigeria Police operatives sustained varying degrees of injuries from the IED detonated by the criminals. “The Nigerian Army encourages all law-abiding citizens of the South East to continue to support ongoing operations with actionable information and to disregard the unlawful two-week sit-at-home order by going about their normal daily activities and businesses. “The Nigerian army, in synergy with sister services and security agencies, will undauntedly continue to protect and safeguard lives and property of the good and enterprising people of South East Nigeria, within the ambit of the law and the rules of engagement,” he said.

We’re neither IPOB nor ESN members, Emefiele’s lawyers hit back at DSS

The sixty lawyers who have approached the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja to commence committal proceedings against the Director General of the State Security Service (SSS) for disobedience to court order on the continued detention of Mr. Godwin Emefiele, have accused the organisation of threatening to frame them with terrorism and referring to them as Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Eastern Security Network (ESN) lawyers. The consortium of lawyers, in a media briefing in Abuja, led by Mr. Tijani Ahmed, following a viral tweet by the DSS on their official tweeter handle in reaction to the processes they filed, said the security agency is planning to frame them up as terrorists. In the tweet, the DSS was quoted as having written the following, “Charge and bail, overzealous uninformed IPOB/ESN lawyer Maxwell Okpara mobilises other like-minded lawyers against DGSS. Futile Efforts. Well, Nigerians, beware! This is in bad faith. Transferred aggression. A Biafran Republic agitator and outlawed IPOB counsel defending the suspended CBN governor. Is IPOB defending one of theirs???? What a contradiction….hmmm… what’s the connection? May Maxwell be properly educated on points of law, please.” The lawyers claim that the tweet had now gone viral stating that, “at about 6am when we met this morning, the tweet was still there on the handle of the SSS. This was about 17 hours after it had been posted and had really gone viral. At that time, it had been seen by about 2 million people globally, generated over 3600 comments, retweeted almost 5000 times, and liked more than 2500 times. The tweets, which have been greeted by national outrage and condemnation are still on the handle of the security agency. Furthermore, the lawyers, whilst expressing their trauma following the tweets, listed several cases of disobedience to the Court order against Mr. Bichi involving Igbo people and asserted that Mr. Bichi must have been suffering from what they termed ‘Igbophobia’. “In the same vein, the tweet by the SSS has also exposed it very clearly to the world that the persecution Mr. Godwin Emefiele suffers today is largely due to the ethnic profiling as directed by the DG SSS. “The fact that Mr. Emefiele is Igbo and attained the height of CBN Governor to Mr. Bichi is an abomination hence his resolve to see that Emefiele is pulled down because, to him, all Igbo are IPOB/ESN Terrorists,” the lawyers said. Mr. Tijani also said it seems clear that Mr. Bichi has declared war on lawyers and the Igbo people and that the persecution being suffered by Emefiele is largely due to ethnic and political reasons, asserting that it could not be a coincidence that several cases involving Igbo people were being serially disobeyed by the DG DSS. The lawyers thereafter called for the sack of Mr. Bichi from office for what they termed manifesting open hatred against an ethnic group. They also alleged that the attitude of the DG DSS would tarnish the image of President Bola Tinubu and thanked the public for the overwhelming condemnation that trailed the tweet. The lawyers resolved to write to the UN, EU, UK, and US governments, the President, CJN, and NSA and also approach the court for the enforcement of their rights.

Sit-at-Home: Police nab 15 suspects over Ebonyi shooting

The Police in Ebonyi have announced the arrest of 15 persons suspected to be involved in the shooting by IPOB members on Tuesday at the new market and Ishieke axis of the state. The shooting was carried out as the suspects forced people to abide by the order issued by the Proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), stopping all residents from coming out of their homes for seven days, from July 3 to 10. The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Faleye Olayele told reporters in Abakaliki that among the 15 suspects arrested from their hideouts, were two herbalists, Okwudili Otozi and Nnenna Ali. “They have attacked our area commander and burnt our vehicle. They have been terrorizing the state. On July 4, they came to Ishieke firing sporadically and that was on Tuesday. “I want to tell you that 15 of them have been apprehended, together with their herbalists. We recovered arms and charms of different kinds. Olayele said that the suspects were preparing for another attack on Friday when they were arrested by the police. “This shows that our officers are dedicated to their duties; the arrest was made possible by our men through the information we got,” he said and warned all criminal elements to steer clear of Ebonyi. However, one of the herbalists told newsmen that he was forced to join the gang. “I did not know that they wanted to operate in Ebonyi; they came to me and requested for medicine and I gave it to them, after which they forced me to join them to the bush for further preparations. “Please, I was forced to follow them after I gave them the medicine,” Otozi claimed.