Should he be set free? is Nigeria not already cursed with all the political killing, robberies and corruption practice?

A group of Nigerian women says it will place a curse on the country's men if the government fails to free an Igbo separatist leader held for treason.
The women say Ralph Uwazuruike, who has been in custody for almost two years, must be freed within 24 hours.

The women did not spell out what kind of curse they would place.

A BBC correspondent says this is the first time a curse has been used politically, although many Nigerians believe in witchcraft.

Mr Uwazuruike, leader of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (Massob), was arrested in October 2005 after he announced that the Igbo people of south-eastern Nigeria would launch a renewed secession bid.

The Eastern Women's Consultative Forum (EWCF) say they will take the corpse of Mr Uwazuruike's mother, who died recently, to the presidential villa if the government fails to act on their demand.

What upsets the Igbo population is we are not equally Nigerian as the others

Emeka Ojukwu

Reopening Biafran war wounds

"Other detainees from other geo-political zones have regained their freedom except him and the other members of Massob," Elizabeth Unuoha told reporters in Nigeria's commercial capital, Lagos.

Recently, Nigerian courts freed two Yoruba separatist leaders and granted bail to Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, the most prominent rebel leader from the Niger Delta.

Like Mr Uwazuruike, they had all been charged with treason.

'Marginalised'

The EWCF also said they would embark on street demonstrations similar to the historic Aba women's riots of 1929.

In 1929, Igbo women who were unhappy with a direct tax policy imposed by the British colonial government, stripped naked and took the streets.

More than one million people died after the three-year Biafran civil war broke out in 1967.

Massob says the Igbo people are still "marginalised".

Recently, Biafran leader Emeka Ojukwu, who ran for president in April's general elections, said the Igbo people have even more reason today to seek independence.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6922278.stm

Mamajama:

A group of Nigerian women says it will place a curse on the country's men if the government fails to free an Igbo separatist leader held for treason.
The women say Ralph Uwazuruike, who has been in custody for almost two years, must be freed within 24 hours.

Ahahahahahahaha. OMG OMG OMG . Oh Nigeria, no wonder Nigerians are the happiest people in Africa. So much comedy.

If others have been released then why is he being kept there?

Some may laugh but we must all remember that what goes around comes around.

I guess they will render Nigerian men barren or impotent, lol  this is exactly what we need in Nigeria now, all men should start running before they cast their SPELL, LOL

@topic,

Didn't Ralph Uwazuruike count the cost before venturing on such a project? These women had better find something more rewarding to do. The last time somone tried to break up naija, millions of people died. Anyone trying to do the same should first put his own life on the line.

Even Abiola died for a cause he believed in. Nwazuruike on the other hand still has his life for attempting a grave illegality - treason! He his lucky he hasn't been executed yet!

Can Nigeria survive another civil war? I don't think so!

One will be curious to know who this women are and what percentage do they represent in Nigeria? will their curse matter or has any effect on people who don't understand their language? Lol

TayoD:

Even Abiola died for a cause he believed in. Nwazuruike on the other hand still has his life for attempting a grave illegality - treason! He his lucky he hasn't been executed yet!

So Asari Dokubo that carried arms and maintained a militia can be freed and yet someone that never carried arms should be executed?

Little wonder the writer supports the killing of innocent people all over the middle east as long as the US or Israel is doing the killing.

If not that a lot of egg heads have opportunity on the internet today what would make someone label a call for independence a treasonable offense?

CRIME against the state or the federation is treason. Bingo, lol

Mamajama:

CRIME against the state or the federation is treason. Bingo, lol

Same offence commited by Asari, Fashunu, and others but all have been released, why holding Uwazulike. This question ned to be answered.

Xris74 if we are idiots then your mother must be the greatest slut in the world, she is just like a door knob everyon gets a turn. freaking slowpoke. do you even know who your father is?

Mamajama,

I have made up my mind either to ignore people who have no issues to discuss but rather attack personalities to boost up their egos, or just give it back to them in their own coin. In this case, I will just ignore them. You cannot educate every body on the internet! Just allow them to carry their insecurity elsewhere.

It is funny how all they can do is try to compare one case with another even if they are related. The issue here is that someone has commited a treasonable offence. Naija's double standard does not make his case right, but empty heads can't think beyond their prejudice and so just open their gutters to spew out bile.

Why don't you go ahead and actively call for the break up of Russia or any country for that matter and see if they will welcome you with open arms. Like I said, prejudice no dey allow some people think correctly!

which curse?
before a woman go fit curse person and e work be say
1 you cheat the woman
2 you be her pikin
3 that woman, na only her husband ever shag am in her life.
SO LET THEM CURSE NIGERIA. E NO GO EVER WORK

You guys will be put to shame. It is a matter of time and the guy will be released. But Yoruba double-speak will forever remain palpable. Woe betide you and your warped generation of hypocrites and leeches. You can only be vindicated if the other guys released did not commit similar offence as Uwazuruike. Pray how is Uwazuruikes' case different than Dokubo's, Adams' and Fashehun's case?

@Xris74,

You guys will be put to shame. It is a matter of time and the guy will be released. But Yoruba double-speak will forever remain palpable. Woe betide you and your warped generation of hypocrites and leeches. You can only be vindicated if the other guys released did not commit similar offence as Uwazuruike. Pray how is Uwazuruikes' case different than Dokubo's, Adams' and Fashehun's case?

Why make this another opportunity to spew out ethnic slurs! The issue here is not about one ethnicity over another.

The issue is whether the laws of the land have been broken! Is he rightly being tried for treason? Better still, is he being held against a court injunction? Let him go through the courts and justify himself. However, the fate of a convicted treasonable felon is death!

Were the other guys released due to a court verdict? No doubt a political solution can be reached where the the parties reach an amicable solution, if not, let the courts decide what should happen.

Calling for the release of Uwazuruike based on the release of Dokubo et al is like calling for the nation to spare ex-governors who stole from the state coffers because others were released as well. It just don't make sense, and it is a violation of the natio's laws.

osereka:

which curse?
before a woman go fit curse person and e work be say
1 you cheat the woman
2 you be her pikin
3 that woman, na only her husband ever shag am in her life.
SO LET THEM CURSE NIGERIA. E NO GO EVER WORK

You took it right outha my mouth. Why dem no curse all d governors wey don cheat dem and chop their hard earn money.

These women are really in for it. If the government was at all planing to release the man, they would revert that action just to put the women to the test. Are they (the women) expecting to the government to hear 'curse' and run away or be paralyzed? That probably happened in the Aba women riot of 1929 but that sh** don't work no more. Curses are now folktales, not for the 21st century. Most guys up there in the government are probably old enough to be their dads, so what's the point? Damn some people are just dumb!

By the way

Mamajama:

I guess they will render Nigerian men barren or impotent, lol  this is exactly what we need in Nigeria now, all men should start running before they cast their SPELL, LOL

men can't be barren. Wrong choice of words.

Anyway, hope them crack-heads seated in executive postions release the man cuz that's all that would make sense now.

That the illiterate thug Adams and Fashehun were released in a politically-motivated manner influenced by the greatest thief of all times and the ugliest man to walk planet earth (Obasanjo) is not in doubt. That Dokubo was released politically too, by VP Good luck's influence is not in doubt. So, b'cos an Igbo was not the president and is not now the VP means an Igbo who is alleged to have committed similar offfence as these people will be left out of the political solution? . What blatant double-justice (If in doubt, ask Barrister Keyamo-a non-Igbo).
http://www.thenewsng.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=3190

And, anyone who supports this deserves a heap of curse indeed. Cursed be you all who support injustice.

I have no doubt that Mamajama is a thug of the hue of Adedibu and Adams. Idiot.

TayoD:

@Xris74,
Why make this another opportunity to spew out ethnic slurs! The issue here is not about one ethnicity over another.

The issue is whether the laws of the land have been broken! Is he rightly being tried for treason? Better still, is he being held against a court injunction? Let him go through the courts and justify himself. However, the fate of a convicted treasonable felon is death!

Were the other guys released due to a court verdict? No doubt a political solution can be reached where the the parties reach an amicable solution, if not, let the courts decide what should happen.

Calling for the release of Uwazuruike based on the release of Dokubo et al is like calling for the nation to spare ex-governors who stole from the state coffers because others were released as well. It just don't make sense, and it is a violation of the natio's laws.

@TayoD,
It is not justice if "fairness" and "equity" are not applied.

Your seem to imply that as long as the law is applied to some members of the public, then it's all well and good regardless of the extent to which fairness and equity guide its application.

Selective application of the law should not be championed by anyone who is unbiased.

Well it is quite baffling that the man is still in prison while all the others are freed.

I dont want to stir the ire of my Igbo cohorts but I simply find his whole 'project' disingenuos' and ultimately harmless, hence his release would not cost a thing.

If Dokubo (with his trained militia) could be released then I wonder why Prof Uwazuruike (without any militia) should not be released.

Afam:

If Dokubo (with his trained militia) could be released then I wonder why[b] Prof Uwazuruike[/b] (without any militia) should not be released.

-who say nwazurike na prof??
Please, dont confuse Chief Ralph Uwazuruike with Prof. chudi Nwazurike, they are diffrent and separate personalities

My mistake. Ralph Uwazuruike. Not sure about the Prof.

RichyBlacK:

@TayoD,
It is not justice if "fairness" and "equity" are not applied.

Your seem to imply that as long as the law is applied to some members of the public, then it's all well and good regardless of the extent to which fairness and equity guide its application.

Selective application of the law should not be championed by anyone who is unbiased.

I shudder when I read some comments on this thread. You often wonder what transpire in their minds when people spew prejudice tainted comments they erroneously believe to be 'objective'. Asari Dokubo with his violent militia is set free while Uwazuruike with nothing more than 'word of mouth' is held, and people who breath and eat and drink believe he is 'lucky' to be alive? This country is full of shameless hypocrites and heavily malicious irresponsible enthusiasts. ONE NIGERIA indeed!

shame on to you mamajama

you dey celebrate the continuos incaceration of someone wey at worst be media nuisance when our Government don find political freedom for a terrorist.

I no sabi the kind law wey you dey study for America.

These people hate but they find it difficult to mask the type of hatred they show towards a people.

When they are not hating the arabs and muslims (outside Nigeria) the bulk of them hate the Igbos (within Nigeria). They are really shameless and useless beings.

In 1998, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) was formed and Asari, as a founding member, was appointed to the vice-presidency of the organization. The organization issued the Kaiama Declaration in November, expressing long-held Ijaw concerns about the loss of control of their homeland and their own lives to the Nigerian state amd oil companies operating in the region. The declaration and a letter addressed to oil companies called on them to suspend operations and withdraw from Ijaw territory. The IYC pledged “to struggle peacefully for freedom, self-determination and ecological justice,” and prepared a campaign of celebration, prayer, and direct action - 'Operation Climate Change' beginning December 28. The Nigerian government responded with an immediate crackdown on the group.

Asari became the IYC's president in 2001 and led the group to pursue an agenda of "Resource Control and Self Determination By Every Means Necessary".

By 2004 Asari had retreated into the bush to create the Niger Delta People's Volunteer Force (NDPVF), which would emerge as a major catalyst for unrest in the Delta region. The NDPVF, a militant group, was funded in large part by local and regional politicians who sought great profits from the region's oil revenue. The NDPVF quickly escalted an armed conflict with a rival group, known as the Niger Delta Vigilante (NDV), who were also seeking to control the Delta's oil resources. Combat was concentrated primarily in Warri and subsequently, Nigeria's oil capital Port Harcourt, as well as areas to the city's southwest. Both groups engaged in oil 'bunkering' and other illegal forms of local resource extraction.

A change in political ideals by the NDPVF caused the group's former sponsors to withdraw their financial support, and begin funnelling funds to the rival NDV. Asari's NDPVF then made a declaration of "all-out war" against the Nigerian state.

An all out war against the Nigerian State, wey be the kidnappings of foreign citizens and Nigerians wey we dey see now and blowing up pipelines.

Who is more of a traitor, Asari or Uwazurike. Who is more of danger to the public? the one wey get sophisticated army or the one wey get ideological followers?

Who should have been released first? Maybe Uwazurike men go begin kidnappings and succied bombing so as to be considered for release?

Sorry for this country.

@RichyBlack,

@TayoD,
It is not justice if "fairness" and "equity" are not applied.

Your seem to imply that as long as the law is applied to some members of the public, then it's all well and good regardless of the extent to which fairness and equity guide its application.

Selective application of the law should not be championed by anyone who is unbiased.

I am only responding to you becuase you made your point without any ethnic slurs and personal attacks. The ability to do this is geting rarer by the day on nairaland.

You get me absolutely wrong as I am not implying selective justice. My call would rather be that Dokubo, Fasheun and others should be re-arrested and tried for treason rather than have Nwazuruike released because the others were released. If Dokubo and co flouted the laws of the land, they should be punished as much as Nwazuruike is punished.

I seek no selective justice, but rather that the law should be applied to the letter. One issue I have asked with no one responding to is what is the position of the courts here? If these women are so convinced on the rightness of their positions, why don't they seek redress in court? We talk about democracy and yet we are not making use of the system as it should be used. Let them curse from here on end, they will only be hurting their own throats.

If we say Nwazuruike should be released becuase other criminals like Him were released, then we might as well say all the people in our prisons should be released becuase some were released. The "fairness" and "equity" you seek should not be limited to this case, abi?

And by way, does anyone know how I can report some posts to the Admin? Some people here are gradually running mental and need to be banned before they harm themselves and others like them. No wonder these women are their heroes, they find good company in those who are hung on personalities and not the rule of law. Verbal abuse and curses are the only language they understand.

We go move go front small, dem go drag us come back small.

Whether the devil likes it or not, this Uwazurike guy will be released as soon as possible.

There were negotiations with Asari Dokubo before he was released, there will be negotiations with Uwazurike before he is released. My only fear is that he should not drink "tea" during any of these negotiation sessions. He'll be alright and out to watch the Premiership.

There's no need for any curse or show of primitive means of warfare. It will just make the BBC's work much easier.

@Denex,

Does anybody care about the laws of the land?

I am not sure why some of you guys are classifying this as a tribal or political issue. This Guy was disturbing the peace, it does not matter if 1 million people committed the same offense, one you make the decision to embark on such a political crusade, you sacrifice your freedom, family and even put your family in dangers way. I don’t see all you guys here screaming when OBJ was USING ZOOMBIE to beat the crap out of Fela for opposing and criticizing government policies. [b]Uwazirike Broke the law and should be pupunished/b]

I opposed his detention without trial.