Members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) went into wild jubilation in the Southeast on Thursday following the discharge and acquittal of their leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
IPOB members, who had besieged newsstands along the Edinburgh road, Enugu, where offices of national newspapers are located in the state, erupted moments after the news was broken.
The Court of Appeal in Abuja had declared as illegal and unlawful, the abduction and rendition of the Biafra nation agitator and leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, from Kenya to Nigeria and quashed the entire terrorism charges brought against him by the Federal Government.
Striking out the charges against him, the court held that the Federal Government breached all local and international laws in the forceful rendition of Kanu to Nigeria in June 2021, thereby, making the terrorism charges against him incompetent and unlawful.
Reacting to the development, IPOB said the ruling has shown that some judges are good and they know the law. IPOB’s spokesman, Emma Powerful, said the judges know that Kanu did not commit the crime.
According to Powerful: “We are happy to hear that our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has been acquitted and discharged. That is to show that some judges are good and know the law and understand that Nnamdi Kanu did not commit crimes and his extraordinary rendition was very illegal.
“Biafrans, both home and abroad, including our friends should rejoice because Almighty Chukwu Okike Abiama has done it again. Biafra realisation is the next target and nothing will stop IPOB from achieving Biafra freedom. If you know you are a criminal terrorising our people, just run because you are going to meet your Waterloo.”
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide has appealed to the Federal Government to resist the temptation of appealing to the Court of Appeal’s verdict on the illegality associated with the abduction of Kanu in Kenya and illegitimate extradition to Nigeria.
In a statement, Secretary-General of the body, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, said: “FG should be mature enough to know that Kanu’s victory is no victor no vanquished status quo, the best way for FG to reconcile with Biafra agitators should be through dialogue, they will kick off the process of reconciliation by not appealing Kanu’s victory. This should be the guarantee’s offer for IPOB to dialogue with FG. This is the rarest chance in history to end insecurity challenges in the Southeast.”
Ohanaeze also advised FG to extend the hands of fellowship to Southern agitators in line with President Buhari’s commitment to end insecurity and handover a more united Nigeria in 2023.
“Dialogue should be the next phase and option for the Federal Government to achieve peace in Southeast. Igbo leaders are ready to accompany Kanu to Buhari for genuine dialogue, it’s up to Federal Government to do the needful,” he said.
Leader of the Movement for the Actualisation of Biafra (MASSOB), Uchenna Madu, said the decision of the court was “ progress towards Biafra actualisation and restoration”, adding that it is a triumph of light over darkness.
Madu said: “His release has opened a new dimension to Biafra struggle, which must continue to be anchored on non-violence, mutual understanding and unity of purpose. As Kanu is being discharged from DSS detention, MASSOB will continue with other progressive groups and individuals to press further for the release of other pro-Biafra detainees across Nigeria prisons.
“Though the people of Biafra are celebrating all over the world, our most desired joy is attainment of Biafra sovereignty from Nigeria State,” he said. MASSOB warned the DSS to quickly obey the order of the appellate court.
WHEN contacted for reaction, Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations to Malami, Dr. Umar Jibrilu Gwandu, was unavailable for comments as his mobile phone was switched off, but FG’s lawyer, Kasuwe, said when the Ministry gets the Certified True Copy of the judgment, they will then determine the next line of action.
However, earlier before the court ruling, Gwandu had in a statement, said Malami remains a true democrat who believes in the rule of law and tenets of democracy and Constitutional order.
The statement reads: “The attention of the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice has been drawn to a false and fictitious report alleging that there was a secret memo emanating from the Office to the Presidency. Members of the public are hereby asked to disregard the report as fabrications of anti-Constitutional democratic stability in Nigeria.
“Malami remains a true democrat who believes in rules of law and tenant of democracy and Constitutional order. The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice is a constitutionally recognised one with its role and responsibilities embedded in the Constitution.
“It is antithetical to common sense to think that the holder of such coveted office will stoop to what was printed by the media. The government does not operate in secrecy, as it is not a clandestine operation. Hence, Malami discharges his constitutionally recognised mandate in compliance with principles of transparency, openness and accountability.”
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