IPOB vows to shut down South-East over Kanu

The outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has warned of an impending shutdown of economic activities in the South-East. If the Federal Government refuses to produce Nnamdi Kanu in court.

The IPOB leader, Kanu, has been detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) over allegations of violence and sedition against the Nigerian state.

However, IPOB spokesperson, Emma Powerful, in a statement on Wednesday. Claimed the Federal Government was scheming to ensure the perpetual imprisonment of its embattled leader.

It further warned the FG to produce Kanu by the next court ruling on October 21, 2021.

The statement reads:

“The attention of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), ably led by our great prophet and liberator of our time. Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has been drawn to the plot by the Nigerian government via DSS in Abuja not to produce our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to court, on the 21 October 2021.

“That is the date Kanu is due to appear in court to start his case. The federal government of Nigeria has again perfected plans not to bring him to court on that day.

“Their wicked plan is to perpetually keep Kanu behind bars without trial. To see if they can demoralise him and Biafrans but they are late.

Also Read: Nnamdi Kanu Arrested: Nigerians Question FG’s Intentions

“If the federal government refuses to bring him to court in his next court appearance on October 21, 2021. The entire Biafra land will be on total lock down for one month.

“The federal government will know that they cannot take us for granted any more.

“Our peaceful disposition as a people, should not be misconstrued as weakness. Nigeria cannot incarcerate our leader illegally and expect things to be normal again.

“If by October 21, Kanu is not brought to court. Nigeria will know that Kanu commands the unflinching loyalty of over 60 million Biafrans at home and in Diaspora.”

IPOB’s anger stemmed from the fact that at the arraignment of Kanu, at the Abia State High Court on Tuesday, the federal government failed to make an appearance.

This forced the vacation judge, Justice KCK Okereke to adjourn the case to October 19. While ordering that the case be transferred back to the State Chief Judge for re-assignment.

The respondents in the case are the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Attorney General of the Federation, the Chief of Army Staff and the Brigade Commander, 14 Brigade Ohafia.

Others are the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Commissioner of Police, Abia State, the Director-General of the Department of State Security Services, DSS,  and the Abia State Director of DSS.

Kanu had, through his special counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, sued the Federal Government of Nigeria for his “extra-ordinary rendition from Kenya”.

He demands amongst other things that; he be returned to Kenya where he was “abducted”, and then to Britain where he resides. And also be paid N5 billion for the gross violation of his fundamental human rights.

Ejimakor, who appeared for Kanu in company of several lawyers including Patrick Agazie and Wilson Kalu. Expressed confidence in the capacity of the Abia High Court to uphold the law by enforcing Kanu’s human rights.

“At today’s hearing, t emerged that, out of the eight respondents. Only two; the DSS in Abuja, and Umuahia – have filed their reply to the Suit but their processes were filed out of time.

“Nothing was received from the other six respondents, which included; the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Nigerian Army.

“It also emerged that an apex Igbo socio-cultural organization. The Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF) has filed an application seeking leave of the Court to file an amicus brief in support of Kanu,” he said.