Tag: IPOB

How FG violated international treaties in Nnamdi Kanu’s extradition – Court ruling

The Court of Appeal on Thursday in Abuja quashed the terrorism charge brought against Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

Delivering judgment in an appeal filed by Kanu, a three-member panel led by Justice Hanatu Sankey, in a unanimous judgment, held that the respondent, by not responding to the appellant’s submissions, conceded to the allegation that Kanu was forcefully renditioned from Kenya to Nigeria.

The judgment read by Justice Adedotun Adefope-Okijie held that it was necessary for the federal government to prove the legality of Kanu’s arrival to Nigeria.

The appellate court held that the respondent flouted the terrorism Act and was also in violation of all known international conventions and treaties guiding extradition process thus, breaching the rights of the defendant.

The court further held that having illegally and forcefully renditioned the appellant, the trial court is stripped of jurisdiction to continue to try Kanu.

The appellate court held that federal government’s action “tainted the entire proceedings” it initiated against Kanu and amounted to “an abuse of criminal prosecution in general”.

“The court will never shy away from calling the Executive to order when it tilts towards executive recklessness. Therefore, the appeal has merit,” the appellate court held.

Arguing the appeal, Kanu’s lawyer, Mike Ozekhome, SAN, on Sept. 13, told the three man panel that kanu was first arraigned on December 23,2015, and granted bail on April 25, 2017.

He explained further that agents of federal government (the respondent) had launched a military operation, code named “Operation Python Dance” at the appellant’s home town in September 2017, which forced him to escape out of the country, to Isreal, then London.

He recalled that on June 27 2021, “the federal government forcefully arrested Kanu in Kenya and renditioned him back to Nigeria “in most cruel and inhuman manner”.

“On 29 June, 2021, the appellant was taken to court by the federal government, where he was rearraigned.

“Following the appellant’s preliminary objection to the 15-count charge preferred against him by the federal government , the trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal Hight Court Abuja, on April 8, 2022, struck out 8 counts.

“Our humble submission is that the remaining seven counts ought not to be retained by the trial court because, before the time Kanu was renditioned to Nigeria from Kenya, he was facing five-count charge”.

Ozekhome submitted that, going by section 15 of the Extradition Act, “Kanu is not supposed to be charged without the approval of Kenyan government.

“The remaining 7 counts, cannot stand, being filed illegally without following due process under the rule of specialty as envisaged under section 15 of the Extradition Act.

“Counts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 8, which were retained by the Federal High Court, were offences allegedly committed by the appellant (Kanu) before his forceful rendition to Nigeria.

“These allegations of rendition were never denied by the federal government and you cannot sustain the charge when you extradited the appellant without the approval of Kenyan authority.

In addition, Ozekhome argued that when charging for an offence, “you must mention the particulars and location where the office was committed.

“But in this case, the appellant was charged without stating where the offence was allegedly committed .

Kanu’s lawyer contended that by section 45 (a) of the Federal High Court Act, with regards to criminal charge, the trial court does not have “global jurisdiction”.

More so, “Section 195 and 196 of Administrattion of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), state that a charge must have date, time, location etc.

He insisted that there was no need for the FHC to retain the remaining 7 counts, and therefore urged the panel to take over the charges and strike them out.

The senior lawyer also asked the appellate panel to hold that the respondent has not furnished the court with any prima facie case against the appellant for which he is being charged.

Reacting, the Federal Government’s lawyer, Mr David Kaswe urged the court to dismiss the appeal for lacking in merit.

He specifically prayed the appellate court to review the April 8 ruling of the trial court which struck out only eight out of the 15-count charge.

Insisting that the charge FG entered against him had no basis in law, Kanu, in his appeal dated April 29 and marked CA/ABJ/CR/625/2022, applied to be discharged and acquitted.

Kanu equally urged the appellate court to order his release on bail, pending the determination of his appeal.

Though the appeal was initially fixed for October 11, however, following an application the embattled IPOB leader filed for abridgement of time, the appellate court brought the matter forward for hearing.

October 13, 2022
BREAKING: Appeal Court frees Nnamdi Kanu

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Thursday upheld the appeal of the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

The court also discharged and acquitted the embattled leader of the proscribed group. Kanu’s lawyer and human rights activist, Ifeanyi Ejiofor confirmed this on his Facebook page on Thursday.

“Appeal allowed, Oyendu Mazi Nnamdi KANU, discharged and acquitted. We have won!,” he wrote.

Kanu had in his appeal dated April 29 and marked CA/ABJ/CR/625/2022, applied to be discharged and acquitted. Kanu was first arraigned on December 23, 2015 and was later granted bail on April 25, 2017.

Details soon…

October 13, 2022
Unknown gunmen extend their maniacal fury to Akwa Ibom sons – By Joe Iniodu

By Joe Iniodu

Yesterday, October 7, began another day of mourning in Akwa Ibom State. It came on the heels of the death of Mr Imoh Isang who is said to have been gunned down alongside his police orderly, Inspector Linus Odey by people suspected to be members of IPOB and operating a heartless killer wing called unknown gunmen.

Imoh Isang popularly known as DIG was hacked down yesterday while on official assignment to outside the State through Owerri. The details of the gruesome murder are gory and heart-rending. The body of the vivacious, ebullient, warm and super active Chief Protocol Officer to Senator Bassey Albert, the gubernatorial candidate of YPP is said to have been brought back to Akwa Ibom yesterday “lifeless” and deposited in the mortuary. But in a sane clime , DIG and the police orderly had no business dying. They were not traveling at odd hours. Isang may have deemed that he supposedly protected in the refuge of an armed policeman. But rather than be a protection, the presence of an armed policeman became his albatross. Adopting the style of guerilla warfare, these barefaced criminals who couch their sub- culture activities under the pretence of agitation ambushed and opened fire on vehicles. The conducts conduce with cowardice which give vent to the type of violence they perpetrate and which is now a recurring decimal.

Imo and the police orderly were on a legimate mission. They neither offended the law nor man nor tribe. They were not even given an opportunity to stir an altercation to justify or merit the unwholesome death. They were cut short by a bunch of unscrupulous criminals who have completely lost their humanity and turned themselves into murderous maniacs that relish taking other people’s lives .

Many questions arise from the activities of IPOB and its extraction being the unknown gunmen. What are they really looking for? If they are for the sovereignty of Biafra, why are they spilling the blood of innocent people? Do they need blood to build their nation? It is a fact that if this savagery is not halted, it may affect the relationship of the Igbos with other regions. Sometime ago, a prominent politician of Northern extraction, Alhaji Ahmed Gulak was killed in Imo State. Less than a month ago, the convoy of Senator Ifeanyi Uba was attacked and about a dozen people killed. One of the victims of that dastardly act was an Akwa Ibom son who was a photographer to the Senator. Coincidentally, his remains were brought back to the State earlier yesterday while another of our illustrious son, Imoh Isang was felled same yesterday in the same Igbo land. This trend is worrisome and unlikely to promote good neigbourliness.

DIG was a jolly good fellow; jovial, affable and sociable. One can not forget his standard response to the name DIG, “one that can not be retired”. This jocular mindset may have been the adrenaline behind his sense of service. Imoh Isang was not only a workaholic, he carried out any work assigned him with an extreme sense of devotion. He believed in hard work and made it his creed. And it was in the course of work that he met the untimely death that has brought a pall of gloom to the Akwa Ibom community.

To Senator Bassey Albert and the families of the deceased including Inspector Linus Odey, I extend my deepest condolences and pray God to comfort and uphold them in these very difficult times.

October 9, 2022
2023: We have no intention to disrupt election – IPOB

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has assured the general public that the body has no plans to disrupt the 2023 election in igboland.

This was contained in a statement made available to pressmen by IPOB’s media and publicity, Emma Powerful on Saturday he said there is no truth in any information circulating on alleged plans to disrupt election in 2023 in Igboland.

The group rather accused the federal government of masterminding insecurity in the South East, with the hope of causing fear and accusing IPOB of their deeds.

Recall that a video of a breakaway member of IPOB, Mr Simon Ekpa recently surfaced on the internet, where he said the group would not let any election hold in Biafraland.

However, in a press release on behalf of IPOB, Powerful said: “The IPOB leadership has for umpteenth time stated unequivocally that part of our modus operandi in our agitation for freedom has never been, is not and will not be violent agitation.

“This explains our consistent demand for the UN to organise a Referendum in the Biafran territory for the Biafran people to determine their destiny. To this effect, IPOB is neither contemplating nor will it encouraged or sponsor anyone or group to disrupt Nigeria shambolic selection process called election.

“IPOB has constantly made it public that we have no interest in and cannot legitimise the aberration they call election in Nigeria. We are a focused, determined and disciplined freedom fighting movement not political thugs and IPOB is devoted to the cause of liberating our people from subjugation and from modern day slavery and Neo-colonialism and will not allow ourselves to be distracted from this very objective.”

The group further explained that “IPOB is not interested and will never involve ourselves in any Nigeria fraudulent pre-election or post-election issues. Our job is to open the eyes of the blinds by the gospel of truth which our leader has delivered already.

“Whoever that is sponsoring any group or gang tagging them IPOB is on his/her own. For those who are hard of hearing, IPOB is one indivisible family under one central command and leadership.

“If in the future IPOB leadership decides to make further statement on the upcoming Nigeria selection process called election, we shall make such statement through our official channels.”

October 8, 2022
JUST IN: Court reserves judgment on Nnamdi Kanu’s appeal

The Court of Appeal, on Tuesday, reserved judgment in the appeal filed by the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, challenging the terrorism charge filed against him by the Federal Government.

The appellate court announced that its date for judgment will be communicated to parties in the suit.

Kanu, had faulted the order of Justice Binta Nyako of a Federal High Court, Abuja, which said he should respond to seven out of the 15 count terrorism charge against him and had approached the court to set aside the order.

However, after listening to the arguments, presiding Justice Hanatu Sankey said “judgment has been reserved to a date that will be communicated to parties”.

In arguing the appeal, Kanu’s lawyer, Mike Ozekhome, SAN, told the three-member panel that Kanu was first arraigned on Dec. 23,2015, and granted bail on April 25, 2017.

He explained further that agents of federal government (the respondent) had launched a military operation, code named “Operation Python Dance” at the appellant’s home town in September 2017, which forced him to escape out of the country, to Isreal, then London.

He recalled that on June 27 2021, the federal government forcefully arrested Kanu in Kenya and renditioned him back to Nigeria in most cruel and inhuman manner”.

“On 29 June, 2021, the appellant was taken to court by the federal government, where he was rearraigned.

“Following the appellant’s preliminary objection to the 15-count charge preferred against him by the federal government , the trial judge, Justice Nyako of the Federal Hight Court Abuja, on April 8, 2022, struck out eight counts.

“Our humble submission is that the remaining seven counts ought not to be retained by the trial court because, before the time Kanu was renditioned to Nigeria from Kenya, he was facing five-count charge”.

Ozekhome submitted that, going by Section 15 of the Extradition Act, “Kanu is not supposed to be charged without the approval of Kenyan government.

“The remaining seven counts, cannot stand, being filed illegally without following due process under the rule of specialty as envisaged under Section 15 of the Extradition Act.

“Counts one, two, three, four, five and eight which were retained by the Federal High Court, were offences allegedly committed by the appellant (Kanu) before his forceful rendition to Nigeria.

“These allegations of rendition were never denied by the federal government and you cannot sustain the charge when you extradited the appellant without the approval of Kenyan authority.

In addition, Ozekhome argued that when charging for an offence, “you must mention the particulars and location where the office was committed.

“But in this case, the appellant was charged without stating where the offence was allegedly committed .

Kanu’s lawyer contended that by section 45 (a) of the Federal High Court Act, with regards to criminal charge, the trial court does not have “global jurisdiction”.

More so, “Section 195 and 196 of Administrattion of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), state that a charge must have date, time, location etc.

He insisted that there was no need for the FHC to retain the remaining 7 counts, and therefore urged the panel to take over the charges and strike them out.

The senior lawyer also asked the appellate panel to hold that the respondent has not furnished the court with any prima facie case against the appellant for which he is being charged.

Reacting, the Federal Government’s lawyer, Mr David Kaswe urged the court to dismiss the appeal for lacking in merit.

September 13, 2022
Amid tight security, Buhari commissions projects in Imo

Amid tension after the Indigenous People of Biafra declared Tuesday as sit-at-home, President Muhammadu Buhari has inaugurated the recently reconstructed 36 Kilometres dualised Owerri-Orlu and the first phase of the 53 Kilometres dualised Owerri-Okigwe roads.

TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that President Buhari performed the inaugurations as part of his one-day working visit to the state, the second since September 2021 as residents of the State observed the sit-at-home order declared by the IPOB.

The President also inaugurated the reconstructed and refurbished Imo House of Assembly Complex in new Owerri, along Port-Harcourt road, Owerri.

Speaking in Amaraku, Isiala-Mbano Council Area, Buhari commended Gov. Hope Uzodimma for his quintessential efforts towards the development of critical infrastructure in Imo.

He called on Imo people to keep faith with the governor and promised support for the government and people of the state.

“I commend Gov. Hope Uzodimma for these wonderful projects and I do hope that it will improve movement of goods and services as well as positively impact the socio-economic activities of the state,’’ the president said.

Also, Gov. Uzodimma said that the two roads qualified as part of the best in Nigeria, adding that they would “remain signature projects” of his government.

He stressed the socio-economic potentials of the roads as “vital to the recovery of the state” and thanked the President for honouring the people of Imo with his visit.

“As part of our 3R mantra, we are recovering roads in Imo and by the grace of God and the continued support of President Muhammadu Buhari, Imo people will be happy that we served them.

“History is being made today. This is a clear indication of our commitment to development of infrastructure. God bless all of us and may God bless you, President Muhammadu Buhari,’’ he said.

It was, however, observed that despite the sit-at-home order by the IPOB, a mammoth crowd of residents and party faithful were present to receive Buhari.

In a statement on Saturday, IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, said IPOB was simply implementing an existing order to lock down Biafraland any day its leader would appear in court at Abuja.

The statement read in part, “The global family and movement of IPOB wishes to announce to the general public, especially Biafrans, that Tuesday, September 13, has been declared a day of civil action in the form of sit-at-home in Biafraland.

“Tuesday’s civil action is very important for two reasons: First, our leader’s Appeal Court hearing that was supposed to be on October 11 has been brought forward to September 13, 2022.”

However, Commissioner for Information and Strategy in the State, Declan Emelumba had declared the readiness of security operatives to ensure the President visited without glitches.

“Nobody can threaten Buhari. He is the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Imo is one of the states he governs and he is free to visit it. Security is in top gear and I can assure you that his visit will be successful,” the commissioner stated.

TNG reports that Buhari arrived in the State via the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport by 10.46 a.m. where he was received by Uzodimma and members of the State Executive Council.

He also inspected the military guard of honour and exchanged pleasantries with government officials before proceeding to Banana Junction, Orlu council area, on his first port of call.

September 13, 2022
Suspense as Buhari visits Imo to commission projects

President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to visit Imo State today to commission some projects executed by the administration Hope Uzodinma.

Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, said the projects would boost the economic and social life of the state, adding that the state government spent billions to execute them.

Recall that Buhari paid an official visit to the state on Thursday, September 9, 2021, where he launched projects and had talks with Igbo leaders.

His second visit is expected to base “sundry matters but largely for the commissioning of completed projects by the 3R Government.”

Emelumba listed the projects as the first phase of the Owerri-Okigwe Road, the Owerri-Orlu Road and the rebuilt state House of Assembly complex.

However, the Indigenous People of Biafra declared Tuesday as sit-at-home over Buhari’s visit and in solidarity with its detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who will appear in court.

In a statement on Saturday, the group’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, said IPOB was simply implementing an existing order to lock down Biafraland any day its leader would appear in court at Abuja.

The statement read in part, “The global family and movement of IPOB wishes to announce to the general public, especially Biafrans, that Tuesday, September 13, has been declared a day of civil action in the form of sit-at-home in Biafraland.

“Tuesday’s civil action is very important for two reasons: First, our leader’s Appeal Court hearing that was supposed to be on October 11 has been brought forward to September 13, 2022.”

But Emelumba said security operatives were ready for Buhari’s visit to Imo State.

“Nobody can threaten Buhari. He is the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Imo is one of the states he governs and he is free to visit it. Security is in top gear and I can assure you that his visit will be successful,” the commissioner stated.

He noted that Buhari was visiting the state to inaugurate three signature projects executed by the Governor Hope Uzodimma administration.

September 13, 2022
IPOB declares total lockdown in all Southeast states on Tuesday

The Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB) has declared a sit-at-home in all Southeast states in the country next week Tuesday.

IPOB has noted that the Tuesday’s sit-at-home order is a day of civil action across the Southeast.

The order is coming ahead of the Appeal court hearing of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu and the planned visit to Imo state by President Buhari.

According to the spokesman of IPOB, Emma Powerful the sit-at-home will be a complete lockdown of the Southeast.

IPOB explained that it was implementing the existing sit-at-home order regarding Kanu’s court appearance.

Powerful”s statement reads in part: “The global family and movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) under the command and leadership of our indefatigable liberator Mazi Nnamdi Okwuchukwu Kanu, wish to announce to the general public, especially Biafrans that Tuesday 13th of September has been declared a day of civil action in the form of sit-at-home in Biafra Land.

“The Tuesday 13th September, 2022 civil action is very important for two reasons:

“First, our leader’s Appeal court hearing that was supposed to be on October 11th has been brought forward to 13th September, 2022. As usual we call on Biafrans and lovers of freedom to demonstrate our solidarity with our leader who has been bearing our yoke in detention for over a year now.

“There shall be a TOTAL LOCKDOWN of the whole of Biafraland on Tuesday the 13th of September 2022. The Imposter Buhari cannot be coming to Imo State while he continues to detain our leader Mazi Nnamdi in the DSS custody.”

The separatist group urged people of the Southeast to go about their Monday’s activities and prepare for Tuesday’s lockdown completely.”

The IPOB leader also reiterated its call for the unconditional release of its leader.

The Indigenous People of Biafra is a nationalist separatist group in Nigeria that aims to restore the Republic of Biafra, a country which seceded from Nigeria prior to the Nigerian Civil War and later rejoined Nigeria after its defeat by the Nigerian military.

September 10, 2022
Imo Police raid IPOB/ESN camp, kill five suspected operatives

Police operatives have raided the camp of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) at Izombe in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State and killed five suspected members.

Three police officers were also wounded in the gun duel that lasted for several hours.

However, when the hoodlums realized that they had suffered a heavy defeat, they burnt houses belonging to serving and retired police officers and other security agencies in villages.

The incident happened on Thursday around 4.30 pm.

The Commissioner of Police Mohammed Barde, who confirmed the incident, explained houses belonging to persons the hoodlums suspected to be informants to security agencies were also burnt down.

According to him: “The hoodlums who on sighting the police operatives engaged them in a gun battle but were overwhelmed by the superior firepower of the gallant police operatives who positioned themselves professionally.

“The operatives after dislodging the hoodlums moved in and conducted a thorough search of the camp where the following items were: three English-made Pump Action Guns, 118 GPMG ammunitions, 41 AK 47 live ammunition, 19 G3 ammunitions, one cut to size locally made double barrel, one locally made double barrel, Four locally made pistols, Four locally made explosive devices, military uniforms, police uniforms, Biafra flags, four ESN caps, one pair of Police boot, various types of hard drugs, some police accouterments, four live tortoise, large quantities of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp, and pieces of red cloths were recovered to the station.”

According to him while leaving the hoodlums’ den, some of them ambushed the operatives and engaged them in another gun duel.

“During the exchange of gunfire, the operatives were able to subdue the hoodlums and in the process five of them were neutralized.

“Unfortunately, three police operatives sustained not life-threatening injuries and were taken to a government hospital where they were treated.

“The hoodlums realizing they have suffered a heavy defeat went for a reprisal attack in the villages, burning houses belonging to both serving and retired police officers and other security agencies.

“Furthermore, houses belonging to persons they suspect are informants to security agencies were equally burnt down,” he added.

He said that the community has been fortified with enough police operatives and other security officers to protect lives and properties while, efforts are on top gear to arrest the fleeing suspects.

August 27, 2022
2023: IPOB rejects Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi

The Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB), has distanced itself from the Labour party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and the Igbo presidency, saying their agitation is clear from day one.

IPOB reiterated that it’s neither interested in an Igbo President nor a Nigerian President of Southeast extraction.

The group said its members are not part of Obi’s supporters because they are interested in Nigeria’s disintegration.

This information was contained in a statement signed and released by IPOB spokesman Emma Powerful.

Powerful, the spokesman of the separatist group, said Nigeria was irredeemable.

Powerful’s statement reads in part: “The Igbo people rallying behind Peter Obi are not IPOB members because IPOB’s goal is the disintegration of the Nigerian enterprise irrespective of whether Peter Obi or anyone else from the Biafran geographic space is contesting in the Nigerian farce of an election.

“IPOB is a freedom fighting movement and has nothing whatsoever to do with or in Nigerian politics. So long as we in IPOB are concerned, Nigeria is irredeemable.”

IPOB also reiterated its call for the release of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, and a referendum in the Southeast.

The Indigenous People of Biafra is a nationalist separatist group in Nigeria that aims to restore the Republic of Biafra, a country that seceded from Nigeria before the Nigerian Civil War and later rejoined Nigeria after its defeat by the Nigerian military

August 22, 2022