TheNewsGuru

Tag: IPOB

  • Nnamdi Kanu: Court strikes out Federal Government’s amended charges

    Nnamdi Kanu: Court strikes out Federal Government’s amended charges

    Justice Binta Nyako in a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has struck out the six-count amended treasonable felony charges by the federal government against Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

    The charges were struck out after a withdrawal by the Prosecution counsel, Mr. K. E. Kaswe.

    Kaswe, who is from the Federal Ministry of Justice, withdrew the charge after Kanu’s team of lawyers led by Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, accused FG of deliberately frustrating the speedy determination of the case.

    Ozekhome noted that the amended charge was served on him barely 48 hours to the court proceeding.

    He maintained that FG introduced fresh issues in the amended charge, including additional documents and proof of evidence that was not originally attached to the case.

    “My lord, in one of the attachments, pictures of lawyers waiting to have a meeting with the defendant at the DSS facility, were snapped with secret camera and displayed.

    “Names of his lawyers- Ifeanyi Ejiofor and Maxwell Opara- were also mentioned. They have brought new issues and even changed the wordings of the charge. The fact that the court sustained only seven counts in the previous charge and they have now reduced it to six counts, means that the charge has already been altered”, Ozekhome submitted.

    He, therefore, said it was wrong for the Prosecution to insist on proceeding with trial, without firstly rearraigning the defendant.

    Owing to Ozekhome’s contention, FG’s lawyer, Kaswe, applied to withdraw the amended charge to enable the matter to proceed on trial.

    Kaswe told the court that his first witness was available and ready to testify.

    Consequently, Justice Nyako struck out the charge.

    Meanwhile, the authorities of the Federal High Court in Abuja seem to have soft-pedaled on the stringent conditions imposed on Kanu’s trial.

    Against their last month’s decision, the court authorities have stopped the movement of the trial to the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), at Jabi District of Abuja.

    Also, the authorities of the Court have permitted the media to witness the trial.

    At today’s trial, journalists, lawyers, litigants, as well as workers were allowed into the court premises unhindered after formal introduction and presentation of identity cards.

    The court had last month issued a Practice Direction which moved the trial to CCT believed to be large and spacious enough to accommodate the crowd that usually surged to witness the trial.

    The Practice direction endorsed by the Chief Judge of the Court, Justice John Tsoho, had also prohibited media coverage except where expressly permitted.

    Those stringent conditions seem to have been jettisoned.

    Although reasons for deviating from the Practice Direction have not been made known, it was gathered that Jabi Code of Conduct Tribunal was considered too porous for such a sensitive trial, especially from security point of view.

    Apart from unhindered access granted to lawyers and media practitioners, roads leading to the court were not blocked unlike what used to be the practice before now, while food vendors also had did their businesses without molestation.

    However, adequate security measures were taken to prevent security breaches.

  • IPOB: Court throws out Nnamdi Kanu’s bail application

    IPOB: Court throws out Nnamdi Kanu’s bail application

    A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, refused to admit Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to bail.

    Justice Binta Nyako, in a ruling, held that since Kanu was earlier granted bail in 2017 and jumped the bail, the court must first determine the real reason he jumped the bail before he reapply for another one.

    Justice Nyako then dismissed the application for bail.

    The court had, on April 8, exonerated the Federal Government on the allegation that the leader of the IPOB was forcefully abducted abroad to stand his trial.

    Nyako, in a ruling, held that rendition for the purpose of criminal investigation is allowed.

    Nyako said since Kanu was on bench warrant, the law allowed that anywhere he is sighted, he can be arrested and be brought to face his trial.

    “Rendition for the purpose of criminal investigation is allowed.
    “In the instant case, there is bench warrant on the defendant (Kanu). Suffice to say, he is a fugitive before the court,” she said.

    The judge, who dismissed Kanu’s move to challenge the terrorism charge, upheld seven counts in the fresh charge filed by the federal government against the IPOB leader.

    Nyako said that the federal government, through the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), had been able to established some allegations against Kanu in counts one, two, three, four, five, eight and 15.

    “Counts one, two, three, four, five, eight and 15 show some allegations. The court shall proceed to try the defendant (Kanu) on those counts, ” she ruled.

    After the review of the 15 counts, she held that about eight of the counts appeared to be similar and did not disclose action.

    She, therefore, ordered that counts six, seven, nine, 10, 11, 12 13 and 14 should be struck out.

    Nyako also ruled that the order proscribing IPOB as a terror group still subsisted until it was vacated since the issue was still on appeal.

    She dismissed the argument of Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, counsel for Kanu, that whether IPOB was a terrorist organisation under the Nigerian law or not was still a subject of appeal.

    As at the time of filing this report, the hearing in the matter is still ongoing.

  • FG accuses Facebook of allowing IPOB use its platform to incite violence in Nigeria

    FG accuses Facebook of allowing IPOB use its platform to incite violence in Nigeria

    The Federal Government has accused Facebook of allowing the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, to use its platform to allegedly incite violence and instigate ethnic hatred in Nigeria.

     

    The government said that since IPOB had been proscribed and classified as a terrorist organization, “Facebook has no justification for yielding its platform to the organization to further its campaign of hate and destabilization of the country.”

     

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, according to a statement by his Special Assistant (Media), Segun Adeyemi, made the demand in Abuja at a meeting with a team from Facebook.

     

    He said, “I have called this meeting to enable us to discuss the increasing use of Facebook by separatists and anarchists, especially those of them based outside the country, to instigate violence and ethnic hatred in Nigeria.

     

    “For whatever reason, they seem to have now chosen Facebook as their platform of choice. And their tools include disinformation, incendiary statements and hate speech. They use Facebook broadcasts to reach their followers, who are in the thousands.

     

    “They tag those opposed to their violent ways as ‘saboteurs’ who must be attacked, maimed and killed.
    They use both English and their local language as it suits them,” Mohammed said.

     

    He said the actions of the proscribed group have real-life implications, adding, “By purveying hate and inciting violence, people are getting killed while private and public property are being attacked and destroyed. Security agencies and other symbols of government are their choice targets.”

     

    The minister said despite the numerous complaints to Facebook on the activities of IPOB, nothing has been done by the company to curtail the group’s excesses on the social media platform.

     

    “Our social media people have been monitoring these separatists, anarchists and purveyors of hate, and have been reporting their atrocious actions to Facebook, but all they get are default responses that their complaints have been received and are being looked into.

     

    “Most often than not, nothing is done about such complaints. The truth is that whatever Facebook is doing to check these people is mere tokenism and is totally ineffective,” Mohammed said.

     

    The minister said the government would be “monitoring Facebook and other platforms closely in the days ahead to ensure compliance with the demand, as it steps up the campaign for the responsible use of social media.”

     

    “We have always advocated responsible use of social media, and consistently called on all stakeholders to join us in achieving this. Some have tagged our efforts as an attempt to stifle social media.

     

    “They are wrong, because we have no intention of preventing Nigerians from using social media responsibly. All we have been advocating is a responsible use of social media,” he said.

  • Tension grips South – East/ South over IPOB sit – at – home order

    Tension grips South – East/ South over IPOB sit – at – home order

    Many parts of South Eastern Nigeria and Delta State in the South-South have been gripped with new tension as a sit-at-home order by IPOB is taking effect.

    TheNewsGuru.com notes that the order took a different dimension in Owerri, Imo State as residents and traders scampered for safety out of fear of attack by suspected gunmen.

    There was also apprehension in Asaba, the Delta state capital and its environs as parents trooped to schools to pick up their children as members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra allegedly entered the city to enforce the sit-at-home order.

    READ ALSO: DTSG warns group against enforcing sit-at-home order in Asaba

    Further information revealed that the situation generated anxiety among commercial bus drivers and some residents who were out shopping as they had to take to their heels when unsubstantiated rumours started flying.

    Our correspondent gathered that the rumour of the attack came when some markets such as Eke Ukwu, Owerri, and Relief Shops in the Imo state capital, amongst others that earlier opened for business were abruptly closed with residents not knowing the full reason for the development.

    Traders on the streets of Owerri and Ekeukwu were said to have deserted their goods and others immediately closed their shops and returned to their residence while others just waited around with faces glued to the road against sudden attacks by suspected members of IPOB.

    While a good number of traders sustained injuries in the course of running for safety, others had their goods destroyed, TheNewsGuru.com authoritatively gathered.

    ALSO READ: IPOB announces May 18, 26 as sit-at-home to mark Kanu’s appearance in court

    When contacted, the Imo state Police Public Relations Officer, Michael Abattam, said the command was investigating the cause of the stampede.

    Our correspondent also observed the development in Delta State happened around 9.30 am as school authorities had to call parents to come pick up their children.

    It was gathered that IPOB members allegedly entered schools in the Okwe area of Asaba and chased out school children and their teachers.

    Most of the schools in Okwe, Akwaebulu, Oko, Osadenis Road, Bonsaac, and Akwuebulu among others, were seen releasing school children to their parents.

    At the popular Ogbogonogo market in Asaba, business activities were said to have been paralyzed in the early hours of the day as traders stayed away from their shops.

    It was observed that most of the shops were not open for business until noon when traders were seen milling around, observing the situation so as not to be caught unexpectedly by the hoodlums.

    It was also gathered that unknown gunmen shot indiscriminately at Bonsaac which allegedly led to the death of one person, thereby creating apprehension in the state.

    When contacted, the Delta state Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, said he was not aware of any killing even as he informed that the command had drafted personnel to every nook and cranny of the state to provide security for the people.

  • What Nnamdi Kanu told me during visit – Soludo

    What Nnamdi Kanu told me during visit – Soludo

    Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo says the detained leader of proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu is unhappy with the killings and enforcement of the protracted sit-at-home order in the South-East.

    The order has always been enforced by groups claiming to act on his behalf.

    But Soludo said this was part of his interaction with Kanu during a visit to the proscribed IPOB leader in his detention facility on Friday in Abuja.

    Mr Christian Aburime, Chief Press Secretary to Soludo who issued a Statement on Sunday in Awka, reported Soludo as saying that kanu was in a stable condition.

    “Kanu is in support of continuation of the search for a sustainable solution to the insecurity in the South-Eastern part of the country,” the statement noted.

    According to him, “Kanu informed me that if given the opportunity, he would make a broadcast that would address the degenerating security situation in the South-East under the guise of agitation.

    “I visited Mazi Nnamdi Kanuo May 13 to felicitate with him and also as part of the wider consultations with critical stakeholders in search of lasting peace and security in the South-East.

    “He was in very high spirit and we had quality and frank discussion in a very convivial atmosphere.

    “He expressed sadness over what he described as ‘sacrilegious killings’ of innocent persons, kidnappings and all forms of criminality, including the brutal enforcement of the senseless sit at home perpetrated by sundry groups claiming to be acting for or on behalf of IPOB.

    “He (Kanu) assured that if the opportunity arises, he will be glad to personally broadcast to his followers to maintain the peace,” he said.

    Since the detention of Kanu more than a year ago, the illegal pro-Biafran group had declared every Monday sit-at-home, in sympathy for their leader.

    The situation had paralysed socio-economic activities in the five South-Eastern states of Abia, Enugu, Ebonyi, Imo and Anambra.

  • PHOTOS: Why I visited Nnamdi Kanu in detention – Charles Soludo

    PHOTOS: Why I visited Nnamdi Kanu in detention – Charles Soludo

    Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo on Saturday visited the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Soludo to have said the visitation was part of wider consultations with critical stakeholders in search of lasting peace and security in the South East.

    The Anambra State Governor said the IPOB leader was in high spirit and that they had quality and frank discussion.

    “He was in very high spirits and we had quality and frank discussion in a very convivial atmosphere. He expressed sadness over what he described as “sacrilegious killings” of innocent persons, kidnappings and all forms of criminalities, including the brutal enforcement of the senseless “sit at home” perpetuated by sundry groups claiming to be acting for or on behalf of IPOB.

    “He assured that if the opportunity arises, he will be glad to personally broadcast to his followers to maintain the peace. Together, we shall restore peace, security and prosperity in Anambra and the Southeast. It is well indeed,” Soludo stated shortly after the visit.

    See photos below:

  • IPOB announces May 18, 26 as sit-at-home to mark Kanu’s appearance in court

    IPOB announces May 18, 26 as sit-at-home to mark Kanu’s appearance in court

    The Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB) has announced May 18 and 26 as sit-at-home in solidarity with its leader – Mazi Nnamdi Kanu whose cases were coming up in court on the two days respectively.

    This was disclosed in a press statement issued on Saturday and circulated to journalists, the spokesman for the group, Comrade Emma Powerful noted that, “the attention of the global movement and family of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ably led by our great leader Mazi Nnamdi KANU has been drawn to a purported voice note ordering Biafrans and residents of Biafraland to sit at home on a date other than May 18th.

    This is the hand work of Nigerian paid agents and should be totally ignored”.

    According to Powerful, IPOB is not a faceless movement and does not announce its activities through voice messages. Biafrans must be very much at alert because the Nigerian government is working through its security agencies the DSS and the BBC are trying so hard to create confusion in our land in attempt to set Biafrans against themselves and scuttle our struggle for liberation.

    ” But we assure them that Biafrans know their plans and will not fall for their evil agenda.

    “Like Mazi Nnamdi Kanu said, if you did not hear it on radio Biafra then it is not from IPOB. IPOB announce its activities and events only through official channels which are (i)Radio Biafra (ii) Press Statement from Emma Powerful (office of IPOB Media and Publicity Secretary) and (iii) Memo from the Office of IPOB Head of Directorate. To this end therefore the only Sit-At- Home order emenating and announced by IPOB leadership are the 18th and 26th of May, 2022 being the dates our leader Mazi Nnamdi KANU will appear in court. The IPOB leadership is very strategic in its actions and directives to the Biafran people knowing fully well that our enemies are desperate to scuttle this heaven ordained freedom movement.”

    The spokesman noted that “those behind the purported voice note should go inform their pay masters to stop dissipating their energy and resources on a hopeless attempt to stop the collective will and decision of the Indigenous people of Biafra IPOB worldwide to pursue our Self Determination Right.

    “Biafrans, friends of Biafra and lovers of freedom across the world and especially in Biarraland should therefore pay no heed to faceless DSS agents and impostors recruited to serve the interest of Fulani Caliphate.”

  • IPOB: No sit-at-home order in Delta – CP

    IPOB: No sit-at-home order in Delta – CP

    The Commissioner of Police (CP), Delta Command, Mr Ari Ali, has said that there is no sit-at-home order in the state as declared by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

    Ali gave the clarification on Sunday in a statement he issued through the state’s command spokesman, DSP Bright Edafe.

    The CP was responding to a Facebook post by some faceless individuals with the caption “Unknown gunmen Asaba Delta State sends strong message”.

    He assures residents of their safety and urged them to go about their lawful businesses stressing that the Command would deal decisively with anyone or group of persons that may try to cause mayhem in the State.

    The police boss urged members of the public, particularly residents of Asaba and the entire Delta North senatorial district, to remain vigilant, monitor and report any strange and suspicious movements of persons in their neighborhood to the command.

    “The attention of Delta Police Command has been drawn to a Facebook post by some faceless individuals with the caption “Unknown gunmen Asaba Delta State sends strong message”, in which Asaba residents are warned to observe the “Sit-at-home order as declared by the proscribed IPOB.

    “For the purpose of clarity, the CP Delta Delta Command has declared that there is no “sit-at-home order” in the state.

    “Members of the public, particularly residents of Asaba and the entire Delta North, should remain vigilant, monitor and report any strange and suspicious movements of persons in their neighborhood to the Command or other law enforcement agencies,” he said.

    Meanwhile, Ali has detailed officers and men of the command to be on red alert and remain watchful in order to maintain the existing peace in the state.

    He further directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Operations, Area Commanders, DPOs, and Tactical Commanders to maintain Police visibility across the length and breadth of the state.

    While urging them to deal decisively with anyone or group of persons that may attempt to cause mayhem, the CP directed the commanders to emplace measures that would make Delta uninhabitable for any group of hoodlums.

  • 2023: Ebonyi Gov, Umahi tells Buhari why South East should produce next president

    2023: Ebonyi Gov, Umahi tells Buhari why South East should produce next president

    Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi has argued why the South East should be the region to produce the next president of Nigeria in the 2023 general election.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Governor Umahi made this known on Friday during a meeting between visiting President Muhammadu Buhari and leaders of the zone in Abakaliki.

    Umahi stressed that it will be difficult for the South-East zone to continue voting for people who will not vote for it during elections.

    He said that it was wrong for the southern part of the country to clamour for equity and fairness on the issue of presidency when it could not replicate such within its fold.

    “The South producing the presidency is a moral question which should be answered by its components.

    “I thank a leader of the Middle Belt Forum and Chief Ayo Adebanjo from the South-West, as well as Chief Edwin Clark from the South-South over their views on a South-East president.

    “The South-East should produce the president if other zones of the South are truly seeking for equity, fairness and justice,” he said.

    Umahi noted that political considerations were applied in ensuring that the South-West zone produced the president in 1999.

    “When it comes to our turn whatever wrong we have committed, the same political consideration should be applied to ensure equity and fairness.

    “It will be difficult for the South-East to continually being shortchanged and continue voting for those who cannot vote for us,” he said.

    Umahi joined other leaders of the zone to appeal for the release of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra’s leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

    “I have never been in support of the group’s activities and the president granted my appeal for a political situation towards his release.

    “I want the Ohaneze Ndigbo Socio-cultural Organisation to shun the politicisation of the process and immediately consult relevant stakeholders and Kanu’s lawyer for it to commence,” he said.

    He thanked Buhari for the visit and noted that he would still be invited to inaugurate more projects of the administration.

    Meanwhile, in his remarks, President of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Prof. George Obiozor said that Igbos would always crave for a united Nigeria which would accord them equity and justice.

    Obiozor, represented by Chief Peter Aneke pleaded with the president to graciously direct the release of Kanu and other youths incarcerated for their agitations to ensure peace in the zone.

    Also, Chief Mbazulike Amaechi, a First Republic minister, informed the audience that he was the surviving official of that era and begged the president to grant his request towards ensuring peace in the South-East zone.

    “I seek to be given the mandate to negotiate peace in the zone because I desire such before I join my ancestors,” he said.

    TNG reports several leaders of the zone joined in the call for Kanu’s release as the event concluded the president’s two-day official visit to the state.

    However, President Buhari responded by saying Kanu’s fate remains with the court and that his worry is for innocent civilians.

  • Buhari to Igbo leaders: Nnamdi Kanu’s fate remains with the court, my worry is for innocent civilians

    Buhari to Igbo leaders: Nnamdi Kanu’s fate remains with the court, my worry is for innocent civilians

    President Muhammadu Buhari has insisted that the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu must defend himself in court.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports President Buhari, who made this known while responding to appeals for the release of detained IPOB leader, stressed that his worry is for hardworking and innocent civilians.

    Traditional, religious and political leaders from the South East had appealed for the release of Kanu during a Town Hall meeting with Buhari in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State on Friday.

    The meeting was the last official engagement of the president, who was on a two-day working visit to Ebonyi.

    Speaking, the president expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation in the zone, reiterating his directive to security agencies to ‘‘flush out’’ those perpetrating violence in the land.

    “I have listened carefully to the various appeals from the elders to the traditional leaders regarding a wide range of options, and as I have said previously this matter remains in the full purview of the courts where it will be properly adjudicated.

    “My worry is for our hardworking and innocent civilians, for whom life is already tough and would like to earn a decent and honest living.

    “There are many that fit this profile and the government owes them that obligation to protect lives and property.

    “I will once again repeat, no one has the right to carry an AK-47, and anyone seen in any part of the country doing so and is not a law enforcement officer is a threat to our peaceful coexistence and should be treated as such,” Buhari said.

    TNG reports the president frowned at the brutal activities of terrorists in the South-East and other parts of the country.

    He reiterated the commitment of his administration to continue to protect and defend innocent citizens from those bent on causing breakdown of law and order across the country.

    He also expressed concern over the worsening security situation in the region, reiterating his directive to security agencies to flush out those perpetrating violence in the land.

    He paid tribute to members of the Nigerian armed forces who recently lost their lives in the region.

    “I must register my deep and grave concern with regards to the deteriorating state of security affairs in this region.

    “In the last 48 hours, I have been informed of the latest in the round of brutal actions carried out by gun-wielding terrorists, who prey on innocent and hardworking citizens.

    “Unfortunately, these barbaric acts were visited upon those who have committed their lives to protect their fellow citizens,’’ he said.

    He also used the opportunity to highlight some of his government’s achievements in the region, dismissing those peddling false narratives of lack of care and consideration for the people of the South East by this administration.

    The president said he was proud of the reconstruction of the runway of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport and ongoing work on upgrade of the International Terminal Building.

    He assured Ndigbo that the N200 billion Second Niger Bridge and 10km six-lane expressway in Onitsha and Asaba would be completed before the end of the year.

    According to him, the 5.5 million dollars Diagnostic Centre in Umuahia is already operational.

    Meanwhile, in his remarks, Gov. David Umahi, who appreciated the president for his visit to Ebonyi, reiterated his position for political solution to the Nnamdi Kanu dilemma.

    He stressed that President Buhari would be remembered as a man who did not use the plight of the people of the South East to play politics but came to their rescue severally.

    ”On this issue of a political solution, I have never believed in IPOB’s method of operation, I disagree with them but we have gotten ourselves to a very terrible and pitiable solution.

    ‘‘Some of us warned that we will get to this situation and some were playing politics with it.

    ”Mr. President, we are at crossroads. I have been to you and I have begged you for a political solution. Surprisingly and graciously you granted that. You said our people should initiate that and at the forefront is Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer,” Umahi said.

    The governor, therefore, urged the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo to meet with elder statesman, Mbazuluike Amaechi, the Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), South East, the Chairman of South East Traditional Rulers Council, Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer and few others to initiate the political solution.

    TNG reports others who spoke at the event include the Chairman, South East Traditional Rulers, Eze Charles Mkpumah and the Chairman, Christians Association of Nigeria (CAN), South-East, Rev. Abraham Nwali.

    They all appealed for the release of Kanu and also spoke on the need for the next President of Nigeria in 2023 to be from South East extraction.

    While expressing support for a united Nigeria, the leaders appealed to the president to grant pardon and release the IPOB leader, urging other agitators to cease all forms of hostilities.

    TNG reports President Buhari has since returned to Abuja.