₦airaland Forum

News just filtering in confirms that pro-Biafra protesters on Thursday protested in front of the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium, demanding the immediate and unconditional release of detained Director of Radio Biafra and leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

The European Parliament, which is the legislative arm of the European Union, works from three centres: Brussels (Belgium), Luxembourg (Luxembourg) and Strasbourg (France).

The protesters, numbering in their dozens, could be seen wielding Biafran flags and chanting solidarity songs.

Kanu, who holds Nigerian/British citizenship, was arrested in October 2015 on charges bordering on membership of an illegal organisation, which has since been upgraded to treason.

Thousands of protesters from the South East and South South geo-political zones have at different times engaged in protests and other forms of civil disobedience aimed at forcing the Federal Government of Nigeria to release Kanu.

nwokenaife:
una no dey seat for armpit. hes human too. carry on my best actor.

femi4:
use dc unlocker

The European Union (EU) on Tuesday it will only recognise a Biafra born via international law and not armed secession. The EU also called for the release of leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kalu and other members of the organisation in detention. EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Federica Mogherini, stated this in Brussels, Belgium, in response to calls by the Organisation of Emerging African States (OEAS) to support the agitation for Biafra.

The OEAS delegation to the meeting was led by its Chief Administrative Officer, Dr. Jonathan Levy. She said that while the EU has strong diplomatic and economic ties with Nigeria, “protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms remains a priority for the EU and encouraged the Nigerian authorities in every occasion to respect such rights.” Earlier, Levy had called for the release of all members of IPOB in detention, a stand down of Nigerian forces, and a snap referendum to be held within 90 days.

To achieve a referendum, the OEAS advised that all non-violent means should be utilised including general strikes, economic boycotts, work actions, demonstrations, lawsuits, and civil disobedience. He said that Nigeria as a member of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) recognises the right to engage in general strikes and the right to strike is also recognised in the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights of 1966 (Article 8(1)(d)). “OEAS supports the Shadow Government of Biafra and calls for the immediate release of all Biafran patriots detained by the Nigerian federal government.”

Meanwhile, ahead of the February 22 election into wards, provinces, districts, regions and zones in the South East and South South, leader of Biafra Independent Movement (BIM), Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, on Tuesday, said the election will serve as a guide for the Federal Republic of Nigeria to follow. Uwazuruike stated this at the zonal rally at the proposed site of Ojukwu Memorial Library in Enugu ezike, Enugu State. The BIM leader, who was represented by a super region leader, Dr. (Mrs.) Augustina Ugwuoke, said: “Our election will not be conducted same way as that of Nigeria, BIM will not give room for election rigging as is the case in Nigeria.

“We are well prepared; we will teach Nigerians how to conduct crisis free election. Very soon the B-INEC will roll out programmes for the polls”, she said. Ugwuoke commended members for coming out enmasse to participate in the sensitisation forum and their continuous support for their leader, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, stressing that their dream Biafra Republic will soon be actualised. “We believe in our leader’s ability to actualise the Biafra Republic, the processes as you can see have commenced.

We have also commenced preparations for our census which will take place in the entire Biafra region to ascertain our population. “I commend you all for your steadfastness in the struggle as well as donation of lands towards the building of Ojukwu Memorial Library in the Enugu North Senatorial Zone.

“These misguided youths create the
impression that Nigeria is not one, and
insecure,”

The Secretary to the Government of the
Federation, SGF, Babachir Lawal, has urged
leaders in the South East geo-political zone
to call Biafra agitators to order.
The SGF condemned the activities of the
groups, saying they threaten the peace of
the country.
Mr. Lawal spoke in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi
State capital, during a one-day working
visit to the state.
Describing the groups as misguided youth
who had been causing crisis in the
country, the SGF said they should not be
allowed to continue.
He said their actions create the impression
that Nigeria is not one.
The SGF advised leaders in the South East
to create employment opportunities for
the youth to keep them busy to stop them
from engaging in acts that threaten the
peace of the nation.
“Some misguided youths in the South East
zone are causing crisis in the country and
I charge all Igbo leaders to rise to the
occasion and call these misguided youths
to order.
“These misguided youths create the
impression that Nigeria is not one, and
insecure,” he said.
Responding, the state governor, David
Umahi, said he would ensure improved
welfare of the people and rapid
development of the state.

Activa:
Does this make sense to u?

OgbeifunErom:
IPOB Youths and their amateur propaganda

Everything about them is fake and amateurish

They think they can intimidate the government and the nation with false claims and lies

E no go work! Nigerians are wise and smart.

Nnamumudi Okwukanu will face trial for treason and he will be executed when he is eventually found guilty

My preference will be that he is executed by firing squad

Up Nigeria

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has alleged that Nnamdi Kanu, its leader, is being tortured in detention by the Department of State Services (DSS), with the eventual target to “secretly execute” him.

The group, which is campaigning for an independent state for the Igbo, also alleged that Kanu was “very ill” and needed urgent medical attention.

“Information getting to us now is that the director of DSS and Buhari are planning to kill some Igbo-Biafrans working for the DSS in other to secretly execute Nnamdi Kanu,” it alleged in a statement published on its website “Biafra Herald,” on Thursday.

“For months now reports have been coming to us on how Nnamdi Kanu is been tortured in the dungeon of the DSS. Nnamdi Kanu is reported to be very ill and needs urgent care and treatment but the DSS on the order of Buhari have refused to grant him any treatment.

“Some Igbo-Biafrans who are members of the DSS have expressed their displeasure towards the treatment of Nnamdi Kanu, this resulting to Buhari and the director of DSS secretly plotting way to murder them. This information got to us is from a very reliable source and our advice to Buhari is to release Nnamdi Kanu, and also to stop torturing him because any harm done to him, will result to a war Nigeria can’t handle.

“We are calling on all IPOB members to get ready for action as instructions will be given by our deputy. We are calling all coordinators to start mobilizing all IPOB members and be on alert.”

TheCable spoke with Vincent Obetta, Kanu’s lawyer, who could not say the exact medical state of his client.

“I don’t know his state of health. They have refused to give me access to see him. I have made every effort to see him since 23 of December, but I have not been given access. So, I don’t know is condition now,” he said.

“If he is being tortured, I don’t know, but I got the rumour that he is being tortured. I am still pressing to get access to him.”

In December 2015, Adeniyi Ademola, justice of the federal high court, Abuja, had ordered the release of Kanu unconditionally, but the DSS failed to comply with the order.

Instead, it filed a suit against him before Ahmed Mohammed, another judge, at the federal high court, Abuja, who withdrew from the case after Kanu refused to take his plea.

Kanu is accused of treason, ownership of unlawful society and illegal possession of firearms.

The DSS could not be reached for an official reaction to the allegations.

DaBullIT:
If Iran attacks Nigeria , USA, Israel, Germany UK will attack them

TunjiMsp:
i am a slowpoke , the market was shut down b'cos of planned pro-biafran protest

omenka:
[s]One nonentity, "General Playboy", can now subtly threaten the FG- no thanks to Jonathan who over-fed and spoiled these crooks silly so much so that they dictated to him at some point when he wanted to commission an EFZ for the benefit of the entire region- and ooooh, how he followed their orders!!

Did "Playboy" give an ultimatum or did he forget that part

We nor blame una.

By the way, I wonder why they keep referring to these guys as "ex-militants". They are still militants, still bear arms, still forment trouble, hence they should be referred to as treated as such by the press.

They can blow up all they pipelines they want- I'm sure they are oblivious of what's going on at the international oil market and how such sabotage can impact their own environment (both land and water body). Tomorrow these same illiterate would protest to the ICC over environmental degradation by the IOCs.

Pity.[/s]

APCsupporter:
Because of your obsession with north, you mistakenly type 'not'.

I dont even understand ur question at all

APCsupporter:
Its the same as saying its legal to protest for the release of boko haram members!

Udmaster:
Because there is no wisdom in Nnamdi Kanu and his IPOB business..
Foolishness is not Igbo- Gen. Ihejirika

Udmaster:
These Nnamdi Kanu IPOBs should respect themselves and stop attracting insults to the GREAT IGBO NATION
-- Many responsible IGBOS in Lagos are going about their various business and living peacefully with their host community.. Lagos is a yoruba land.
--NB: I AM A PROUD IGBO

Lagos - The Lagos State government on
Sunday sealed the main electrical and
electronic market in Oshodi.
Officials of the Lagos State Taskforce on
Environmental and Special Offences
(Enforcement) Unit on Sunday morning
stormed the market to shut it.
It was gathered that as early as 06:00,
hundreds of armed police officers stormed
the market and shut it down.
Several police vans were stationed around
the market to scare away traders.
Most of the traders had gone to the East to
celebrate the Christmas and New Year
festivals.
The market was shut following
information that traders in the market had
decided to stage a protest in support of
Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of Indigenous
People of Biafra (IPOB), who is being
detained by the Department of State
Security Services (DSS).
Before the closure, it was gathered traders
were planning to organise a rally to
protest the continued detention of Kanu.

Lagos
Similar protests were organised by traders
at the popular Alaba International Market
before the Christmas holiday.
An official of the task force who pleaded
anonymity, however, said they were at the
market to seal it due to the traders
nonchalant attitude to environmental
sanitation.
He noted that the traders have taken
government’s threat lightly and did
nothing to remedy the situation.
Most of the traders, however, disagreed
with the government position.
They noted that they have always abide
with environmental laws.
They wondered why government had to
shut the market when most of the traders
had gone to the East to celebrate the
Christmas and New Year holidays.

I just remember only
recently the Yoruba leaders said they
want to break, break from where. The
Yoruba are probably the people who
economically enjoy Nigeria more than
anybody, economically. So why are they
going?

MXrep:
He appologised for insulting ppl, not for his biafra project. Its the desperate govt that want to use the press to misinform ppl making it look like he has abandoned his struggle. the said apology was on moral grounds, he is still in the legal struggle. and thanks for being honest this time to acknowledge how embarassing the govt has been

project8:
Link: http://www.punchng.com/why-kanu-
apologised-to-buhari-others-lawyer/

sule17:
Who care for ur apology. R u even a nigerian?

“However, I am aware that in the course of making his statements to the SSS, he acknowledged the fact that certain words he used on these persons/elders during his broadcast were ‘uncomplimentary’, considering the culture and values of the African society to which he belongs.

The detained leader of the Indig­enous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mr Nnamdi Kanu has denied apologising to President Mu­hammadu Buhari, former President Goodluck Jonathan and Igbo elders over his comments on them in Radio Biafra.

This clarification came on the heels of some media reports that the Director of Radio Biafra has tendered unreserved apology to these people in his bid to regain his freedom.

Kanu, who spoke through his lawyer, Mr. Vincent Obetta, in a statement ob­tained by Saturday Sun said: “I denied the ruse making the rounds that my client apologized vide a letter to the President Mohammed Buhari, former President Goodluck Jonathan and some Igbo elders. “Obetta said that Kanu did not address any letter of apology whatsoever to President Buhari, Jonathan or the Igbo elders.

“However, I am aware that in the course of making his statements to the SSS, he acknowledged the fact that certain words he used on these persons/elders during his broadcast were ‘uncomplimentary’, considering the culture and values of the African society to which he belongs.

“He further stated that he may write a letter of apology to the President to ex­press his regret over the use of such words on him. But up till this moment, such let­ter, to my knowledge, has not been writ­ten. And I challenge any body that has a copy of such letter to make it public,” he said.

The IPOB counsel noted that there was nothing unusual in acknowledging certain areas where a person got things wrong and expressed regrets.

“To me, I see it as a mark of good lead­ership and a show of high level of sports­manship for him to have been able, at this point, to distinguish between the person of Mr. President and the bad leadership in the Nigeria federation, particularly when the problems that gave rise to the present agi­tation existed several decades preceding the current regime.

“I am still confused as to what and why the statement is causing furor in the media. If the innuendo is to say that by that he is or is intending to abandon his cause, then the propagators of this hype have lost the round.

“At the last time I had meeting with him, he openly told me that he is commit­ted to his cause and was ready to sacrifice anything in the process than abandoning the cause.

“According to him, he is apologetic to the elders to whom he had used uncom­plimentary words, but unapologetic to the pursuit of the agitation for the self-deter­mination of his people,” Obetta said.

He also expressed dismay that the president is still adamant in releasing the detained Kanu.

“I was disappointed to hear this. It is one of the gloomy words I have ever heard from a democratically elected presi­dent. If the president has such powers in a democracy, there would be no necessity of running a three-tier government where the judiciary, as one arm of government, interprets the law. How did we arrive at this point?

“It is anachronistic and opprobrious to the judicial arm of government for an elected President to detain a suspect in­definitely even in the face of a subsisting order of a court of competent jurisdiction barely on the strength of an investigation report by law enforcement agency which is still subject to judicial scrutiny.

“If Mr. President maintains a hardline position in this respect, it therefore means we have to rewrite our constitution to shift the burden of proof to the accused as well as expunge the ‘presumption of innocence’ as enshrined in our laws. But until that is done, I urge those concerned to release my client ‘unconditionally’ as ordered by the Federal High Court on the 17th December, 2015.”

Obetta, however, said that despite the challenges they are facing in the case of Kanu, their confidence in the Nigerian judiciary is still intact, saying that they would continue to ventilate their griev­ances through the courts.