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Tag: Biafra

  • IPOB dissociates from ‘Biafra Government In Exile’, warns Helsinki-based impostor

    IPOB dissociates from ‘Biafra Government In Exile’, warns Helsinki-based impostor

    The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has dissociated itself from the purported formation of a ‘Biafra Government in Exile’, saying it is the handiwork of mischief makers who do not represent the interest of the movement.

    The group stated this in a statement signed by the Spokesman and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, on Thursday in Abuja.

    The group, while washing hands off the purported illegal Biafra government, said it does not endorse or recognize it and would never be part of such a criminal syndicate.

    IPOB said the ideology of its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, discipline, non-violence, and moral clarity in the Biafra restoration project would never descend so low as Helsinki-based attention-seeker and impostor and declare a government in a barbing salon without the consent of the people.

    The group said the person behind such a plot lacked discipline and ideology, adding that Biafra is not a fantasy and not a YouTube show and not a plaything for criminals and cowards who find joy in extorting their own people.

    The statement read: “The attention of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), under the supreme leadership of Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has been drawn to an utterly deranged and disgraceful narrative gaining traction among the intellectually bankrupt, in which cowards and charlatans—masquerading from foreign comfort zones as so-called “freedom fighters”—seek to compare Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to a self-proclaimed content creator and certified coward.

    “Let us state it categorically: anyone foolish or mentally impaired enough to draw such a comparison needs urgent psychiatric intervention. Comparing the indomitable Mazi Nnamdi Kanu—who has endured extraordinary rendition, solitary confinement, torture, and a seven-year political and legal onslaught—to a coward who publicly denied Biafra in open court is the height of lunacy.

    “Let the records reflect that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu publicly forbade the following acts, all of which were later carried out by the cowardly fraudster now desperately seeking attention:

    “No Biafran should form a government in exile. No Biafran should form an army or armed group.No Biafran currency should be printed or sold.No Biafra identity card should be created.No Biafran passport should be printed or circulated.

    “Yet this Helsinki-based attention-seeker, lacking discipline or ideological clarity, violated every single one of these directives while claiming to “fight” for Biafra. Biafra is not a fantasy. It is not a YouTube show. It is not a plaything for criminals and cowards who find joy in extorting their own people.

    “How can any sane person declare a “government” in a barbing salon in Helsinki without the consent of the people? Is this how revolutions are led? Is this what Biafran republicanism has been reduced to?

    “The group said the inability of the Nigerian government to sustain any legitimate charge against its leader, despite multiple amendments and desperate media propaganda, was proof that they have a genuine and legitimate cause.

    “Let it be known to all that IPOB has nothing to do with the so-called “Biafra Government in Exile.” We are not part of that criminal syndicate. We do not endorse or recognize it. We do not kill, extort, or run rackets in the name of Biafra.

    “The Kenyan High Court has already declared his abduction unconstitutional. And despite all the torture and manipulation, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu remains unbroken—because he is fighting a just cause.

    “Let the world understand that when the dust settles, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu shall speak again, and the enemies within and without shall be exposed.

    “Biafra is not a hustle. Biafra is not for cowards. Biafra is not content for clicks” The statement added.

  • BRGIE sues Ngozi Orabueze, co-defendants in U.S. federal court for fraud

    BRGIE sues Ngozi Orabueze, co-defendants in U.S. federal court for fraud

    The Biafra Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE) has filed a lawsuit against former member and Atlanta, Georgia based-associate Ngozi Orabueze, her newly created organization the United States of Biafra-Biafra Republic Government in Exile-Defacto Corp, and fourteen other co-defendants, for fraud, Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), tortuous interference, and conversion counts.

    The federal lawsuit was filed on behalf of BRGIE, the plaintiff, by U.S.-based lawyer Arman Dabiri in U.S. federal court in Washington, DC on May 29, 2025, which named Ms. Orabueze as the first defendant.

    She is being sued alongside Ada Ezeh, Ugbonna Christian Olejemah, Uchenna Objijiaku, Diana Emeh, Solomon Nkwocha, Ijeoma Eze, Ulo Ogbonna, Nariel Offomah, Ebenezer Anene, Godwill Iroh, Dorothy Anthony, Rose Ikejorah-Agwu, Pvalentine Ekweghariri, Oluchi Ulumma Mbachu, and the United States of Biafra-Biafra Republic Government in Exile-Defacto Corp.

    Arman Dabiri, Esq. is the Washington, DC-based international legal counsel for BRGIE, currently led by Acting Prime Minister Ogechukwu Nkere. Mr. Dabiri has represented a number of high-profile international clients throughout the Africa and the Middle East, including the governments of Libya, Sudan, Armenia, and Kazakhstan, among others.

    Notably, Mr. Dabiri served as the long-time legal counsel for Libya’s longtime leader Muammar al-Gaddafi, and played a critical role in assisting the Government of Libya in reaching a $2.7 Billion settlement of the Lockerbie case, which allowed for the removal of both U.N. and U.S. economic sanctions against Libya and the establishment of diplomatic relations between Libya and the United States.

    The lawsuit accuses Ms. Orabueze of launching a hostile takeover of BRGIE, setting up a parallel government, stealing the databases, assets, and property of BRGIE and its members, serial impersonation, committing fraud against BRGIE and the government of the United States of America, and leading a racketeering enterprise.

    Court documents showed that the matter began in December 2024 when Ms. Orabueze began the alleged takeover of BRGIE after she declared herself as the group’s ‘deputy prime minister’ and ‘acting head of state’ before summarily moving the organization’s properties, including declaration documents from Finland to the United States, where she is based.

    The lawsuit also details how Ms. Orabueze allegedly directed co-defendants Godwill Iroh of Pennsylvania, USA, and Uchenna Obijiaku of Finland, as well as Praise Somtojag Edgwu based in Ghana, to hijack a database containing the personal information of Biafrans.

    The information was had provided to BRGIE by members of the Biafran community in the United States as well as globally for an initiative to issue Biafran identity cards.

  • Biafra Day: JTF beefs up security in Anambra

    Biafra Day: JTF beefs up security in Anambra

    The Joint Task Force (JTF) in Anambra State has scaled up security ahead of the Biafra Day on Friday.

    The Biafra-Day is a brainchild of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Movement for Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB).

    The secessionist group had also ordered a sit-at-home to mark the day in the South East region.

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said in a statement on Thursday in Awka that the police was ready to thwart any breakdown if law and order.

    Ikenga said the police-led JTF comprising the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Army, Navy and other security agencies had taken over the strategic junctions across the state.

    He said the cities  on the watch list included Awka, Onitsha, Nnewi, Ihiala, Oraifite.

    The police spokesperson said that the measure was to forestall any breach of peace and to enable residents of the state go about their normal businesses.

    “Following the outcome of a closed-door meeting of the Anambra security service commanders ahead of an illegal sit-at-home on May 30 by some criminal elements, the Commissioner of Police (CP) in the state, Ikioye Orutugu has noted the increased motivation of the police and other security agencies to forestall breakdown  of law and order.

    “This s stemming from the cooperation and support received from the people of Anambra in joining voices to condemn any act that threatens our national peace.

    “This collective effort has further strengthened the resolve of the security agencies to tackle threats to peace and security in the state, fostering a safer environment through community-police collaboration,” he said.

    According to him, given the above scenario, the JTF has intensified patrols and taken over the strategic junctions in Awka, Onitsha, Nnewi, Ihiala, Oraifite and many other part of the state.

    He said that the measure demonstrated the commitment of the security agencies to maintaining security and order in the state.

    According to him, their heightened presence aims to deter criminal activities, reassure the public, and provide a safe environment for citizens and visitors alike.

    Ikenga urged the public to call the command’s control room on  07039194332 for help in the case of any emergency or the PPRO on 08039334002.

    “You can also call the various Area Commanders or Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in your areas of concern,” he said.

    Biafra-Day was set aside by the secessionist group to honour Biafra heroes.

  • How Nnamdi Kanu smuggled Biafra Radio transmitter into Nigeria – FG’s witness tells court

    How Nnamdi Kanu smuggled Biafra Radio transmitter into Nigeria – FG’s witness tells court

    The Federal Government’s witness, on Wednesday, told the Federal High Court in Abuja that Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), admitted smuggling a Biafra Radio transmitter into Nigeria.

    The witness, a Department of State Services (DSS) operative, identified as CCC for security reasons, told Justice James Omotosho while given his testimony as 3rd prosecution witness (PW-3) in the ongoing alleged terrorism trial of Kanu.

    The DSS had, earlier through its PW-2, tendered audio recordings of Kanu’s broadcasts from the radio station as exhibits.

    In the recordings in 2020, Kanu was heard calling for the killing of several prominent Nigerians, including President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)’s Minister, Nyesom Wike.

    While being led in evidence-in-chief by FG’s counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, on Wednesday, CCC said Kanu set up the radio transmitter at Ubuluisiuzor in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra.

    The witness identified a video recording of DSS officials’ inspection of the transmitter at Ubuluisiuzor in Anambra allegedly used by Kanu for his Radio Biafra and which, the witness said, the IPOB leader admitted smuggling into the country.

    The video recording, stored in a disc, was one of about four video recordings admitted in evidence during proceedings in which the DSS denied subjecting Kanu to duress and asking him to say things about ex-President Goodluck Jonathan and former Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo.

    CCC said he knew Kanu to be the leader of IPOB, a terrorist organisation.

    The witness said he also knew Kanu as the founder of Radio Biafra, which he allegedly used to incite the public to maim and kill.

    He said he first met Kanu on Oct. 21, 2015 when he and three others were asked to interview him and obtain his statements in relation to his activities as the founder of IPOB and Radio Biafra.

    He said the interview sessions, which happened between Oct. 21, 2015 and Oct. 24, 2015, were recorded on video with the consent of the defendant, who later wrote statements.

    Kanu’s lawyer, Kanu Agabi, SAN, did not object when Awomolo applied to tender the video recordings, which Justice Omotosho subsequently admitted in evidence.

    Agabi however objected when Awomolo applied to tender the written statements, arguing that Kanu claimed he did not make them voluntary, an argument Awomolo countered.

    In view of the development, Justice Omotosho demanded that the defence should specify what constituted the involuntariness alleged.

    The judge then stopped proceedings briefly to allow one of the lawyers to the defendant,  Paul Erokoro, SAN, to interact with Kanu, who was seated in the dock, on the issue.

    When Erokoro returned, he told the court that Kanu told him that  DSS officials denied him access to his lawyer, threatened not to allow him on bail and deny him the one hour granted him daily to receive fresh air in view of his health challenge.

    The lawyer said Kanu also told him that his interrogators asked him to say things about ex-President Jonathan and former Gov. Okorocha, which were not his words.

    At that point, Justice Omotosho ordered the conduct of a trial-within-trial to ascertain the voluntariness or otherwise of Kanu’s statements.

    Awomolo then called PW-3 as the prosecution’s first witness in the-trial-within trial.

    The witness denied that Kanu was subjected to any form of duress or coercion.

    The witness faulted Kanu’s claim that he was kept in solitary confinement in an underground cell and that he suffered from any ill-treatment.

    PW3, who was called TCCC in the trial-within-trial, said Kanu was given preferential treatment and served bottled water during the interview sessions.

    The witness said he was surprised to hear the allegations made by the defendant.

    He also denied that anyone asked Kanu to say things about Jonathan and Okorocha, adding that Kanu “spoke voluntarily and truthfully in the interviews.”

    The DSS officials said the defendant was referring to their interactions over the interview he (Kanu) earlier granted to Sahara Reporters and in respect of which they asked for some  clarifications.

    He said: “During the Oct. 24, 2015  interview, the Sahara Reporters’ interview was played to him to confirm if he actually granted the interview, which he confirmed.”

    The witness added that in the Sahara Reporters interview, Kanu referred to Nigeria as “zoo;” and claimed that Okorocha and others  had islamised Nigeria.

    He added that Kanu referred to the then President Muhammadu Buhari “in a very derogatory language.”

    Three of the recordings of the interview sessions were played in court, showing Kanu, wearing a shirt and a pair of trousers, interacted freely with the DSS officials.

    He smiled at some points and demanded to be served a particular brand of bottled water, which was handed to him by the DSS officials.

    In the video, Kanu tried to rationalise his actions, including his many broadcasts, which he said were intended to bring about changes in the affairs of the country.

    He said IPOB was meant to actualise the self-determination of the people of Biafra, while the Biafra Volunteer Force patterned after the Salvation Army,  an army of volunteers who helped to propagate the messages of IPOB.

    During cross examination by Erokoro, TCCC, who was the prosecution’s sole witness in the trial-within-trial insisted that Kanu was never subjected to coercion and that all the complaints he raised were addressed.

    While testifying as the sole defence witness in the trial-within-trial, Kanu insisted that he was denied access to his lawyers and  threatened by a DSS investigator, who he described as Mr Brown Ukuaba, an Assistant Director, of Investigation.

    Kanu said when he was first arrested in Lagos in 2015, he was kept in chains and later blindfolded while being transported to Abuja.

    He said he was kept in an underground cell and in solitary confinement. He claimed that the video recordings played in court were edited.

    Under cross examination by Awomolo, Kanu said his interview with the DSS officials enable him to explain the finances and hierarchy of the IPOB and its objectives.

    Kanu said doctors attended to him at the DSS custody, adding that “they (the DSS authorities) have a good doctor there.”

    Justice Omotosho, after the conclusion of the trial-within-trial, adjourned the matter until May 29 at 12 noon for adoption of parties’ final written address, in preparation for the ruling fixed for 2pm same date.

  • BIAFRA: Ndigbo still marginalised in Nigeria – Igbo Leaders

    BIAFRA: Ndigbo still marginalised in Nigeria – Igbo Leaders

    Over fifty years after the Nigerian Civil War ended, prominent Igbo voices insist that the same structural injustice and marginalisation that sparked the conflict still define Nigeria’s political landscape.

    In an interview with Sunday Vanguard, Dr. Ezechi Chukwu, Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, and Most Rev. Raphael Opoko, Methodist Archbishop of Umuahia, condemned what they described as the ongoing subjugation of the Igbo in Nigeria. They called for immediate restructuring and equitable inclusion in national governance.

    Dr. Chukwu stated that nearly six decades since the war, core issues such as ethnic dominance, political imbalance, and social exclusion remain unresolved.

    “We still operate a system structured around ethnic favoritism and religious bias,” he said. “Nigeria functions more on a quota system than on merit or competence. The Igbo are still treated like subordinates, while certain regions enjoy unchecked privilege.”

    He criticized the judicial system, access to political power, and distribution of national resources, calling them guided by arbitrary standards. He also highlighted what he called a systemic effort to prevent an Igbo presidency.

    “The idea of an Igbo president still faces orchestrated resistance. True restructuring is the only path forward one where regions are empowered to develop based on their own priorities and resources,” he insisted.

    Archbishop Opoko echoed similar sentiments, dismissing the Federal Government’s civil war slogan, “No victor, no vanquished,” as hollow. According to him, the Igbo were clearly the war’s casualties and continue to bear the brunt of its aftermath.

    “They claimed there were no victors, yet confidential memos warned that the Igbo should never be trusted,” he revealed. “The same forces that derailed the Aburi Accord are behind today’s fuel importation crisis and deliberate governance failures. They empower compliant figures to maintain control.”

    He cited the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results, which reportedly saw massive failure among Southeastern candidates, as possibly a calculated move to distract and weaken the region.

    “Was it just coincidence? Or a strategic distraction while something significant played out nationally?” Opoko asked. “The truth is, the ruling class thrives on division—political, ethnic, and religious. A united and peaceful Nigeria threatens their control.”

    Commenting on the continued detention of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, the Archbishop defended Kanu’s demands as legitimate.

    “When Kanu speaks of Biafra, he’s essentially saying: if equal rights and access can’t be guaranteed, then let there be a referendum. That’s not rebellion; that’s a call for justice,” Opoko argued. “Why should an Igbo student with a JAMB score of 230 be denied admission, while another with a score below 100 gains entry and later leads government agencies?”

    He warned that the rising generation of Igbo youth is closely observing these patterns of injustice and may one day respond.

    “The young are watching, and they may eventually act. History teaches us that constant oppression breeds resistance.”

    Archbishop Opoko also accused both domestic and international actors of sustaining the marginalisation of the Southeast.

    “In the past, if a cow destroyed your crops, the herdsman apologized. Today, they show up with AK-47s and no one reacts,” he said.

    Despite the adversity, he encouraged the Igbo to stay focused on progress.

    “Keep excelling in business and industry. Don’t rely solely on political appointments. The oppression is real, but our demand is simple: equal opportunity and fair treatment—nothing more,” he concluded.

  • I didn’t order sit-at-home in South-East on Tuesday – Ekpa dismisses reports

    I didn’t order sit-at-home in South-East on Tuesday – Ekpa dismisses reports

    The Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile, Simon Ekpa, has clarified that there will be no sit-at-home on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, in the Southeast region.

    In a statement issued Monday through his official Twitter handle, Ekpa emphasized that only Monday’s sit-at-home was observed to demand the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), and to push for the delegitimization of Nigeria’s authority in the Biafran territory.

    Ekpa made the clarification in response to circulating claims suggesting that a sit-at-home would also occur on Tuesday. He reiterated that no such directive has been issued for that day.

    He further noted that he would address Biafrans live on his platform to explain the decision.

    “Ekpa has cleared the air on the rumored sit-at-home, and he promised to go live on X Space to inform Biafrans that there is no sit-at-home tomorrow,” he said.

    It is noteworthy that since Nnamdi Kanu’s rearrest by the Nigerian government in 2021, sit-at-home actions have been observed in the region every Monday as a form of protest against his continued detention and the alleged marginalization of the Southeast.

  • Simon Ekpa-led BRGIE to reveal 40 United States of Biafra’ map in December

    Simon Ekpa-led BRGIE to reveal 40 United States of Biafra’ map in December

    The Simon Ekpa-led Biafra Government in Exile (BRGIE) has announced that it will unveil the map of the “40 United States of Biafra” and issue a declaration on December 2, 2024.

     

    Ekpa, who claims to be the Prime Minister of BRGIE, made this announcement on Tuesday via his official X handle, stating that the move is aimed at furthering the realization of Biafra’s independence.

     

    “The Biafra Government is preparing to present the complete map of Biafra on December 2, 2024,” Ekpa stated.

     

    It is worth recalling that Biafra agitators, including Ekpa and Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), have been persistently advocating for Biafra’s independence, despite strong resistance from the Nigerian government.

     

    Recently, Ekpa enlisted the help of former U.S. lawmaker and lobbyist, James, to garner support from the U.S. government for Biafra’s secession from Nigeria.

  • Biafra: IPOB calls for referendum

    Biafra: IPOB calls for referendum

    On Monday, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) declared that Ndigbo are ready to exit Nigeria.

     

    IPOB’s spokesman, Emma Powerful, stated that those calling for “IgboMustGo” should push for a referendum to facilitate the exit of Ndigbos from Nigeria.

     

    This response followed an announcement by a user on platform X, who revealed plans to force Igbos to leave Lagos State under the “IgboMustGo” banner. The user claimed a protest would take place from August 20 to 30 to support this cause.

     

    Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State condemned the planned protest, calling for unity instead.

     

    In a statement, Powerful said: “Following the provocative and genocidal ‘IgboMustGo’ proposed protest slated to commence from August 20-30th, 2024, by some faceless Yoruba groups and persons, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) wish to remind the Yoruba anti-Igbo groups that Ndigbo are ready to exit Yoruba land and Nigeria via a referendum. Ndigbo will not succumb to any threat from any group or persons to leave any state or region in Nigeria.”

  • I’ll Restore peace if freed — Nnamdi Kanu vows

    I’ll Restore peace if freed — Nnamdi Kanu vows

    Embattled leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, after court proceedings, said peace will be restored in the South-East if he is released from custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).

    Kanu made this known on Tuesday after he was denied bail by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court Abuja.

    “I suspect that some people in government are complicit. They are making money with this insecurity. They know if Nnamdi Kanu is outside, in two minutes, this nonsense will stop,” Kanu told reporters.

    “Anybody involved in any form of violence in the South-East in the name of IPOB, let me come out of this nonsense, this mess, only two minutes, I guarantee you, and there will be peace in the South-East.”

    Earlier, the IPOB leader, who has been in the custody of the DSS since his extradition in June 2021, and is facing charges bordering on treasonable felony, told the court that he is being treated poorly by the secret police, and that there is a conspiracy for him to die in the custody.

     

  • Biafra republic government in exile opens administrative office in US

    Biafra republic government in exile opens administrative office in US

    The Biafra Republic Government in Exile says it has opened an administrative office in Maryland Baltimore, USA.

    The Prime Minister of BRGIE and Finland Lawyer, Simon Ekpa, disclosed this on Saturday on his official X handle.

    He said the office would boost the quest for Biafra liberation and referendum.

    Ekpa said the office will serve Biafrans worldwide.

    He wrote: “The Biafra Republic Government In Exile Administrative office in the United States is ready to serve Biafrans worldwide.”