BREXIT: As UK narrowly votes to leave the EU!
I've wanted to stop upsetting myself
and raising my BP by commenting on Nigeria's self-inflicted and self-preserved
myriads of problems, and face my law practice. I've been having fulfilment,
attending to my cases with my young but committed team. Only yesterday, the
Court of Appeal, Calabar Division, in a lead by Elechi JCA gave another
remarkable victory to us in an ‘ancient’ appeal (1999), in CA/C/128/1999,
MERCANTILE BANK PLC (In Liquidation) vs IMESCO ENTERPRISES LIMITED. We saved
IMESCO N378 Million. And we are glad we did, to the memory of Imesco Chairman,
Dr. Ime Umanah, who did not live to see the victory.
Now, this BREXIT vote is sufficiently
'too much' to force me out of my hibernation. Let me leave my practice for a
while and voice out my political views. Some may tag it 'radical'. I'm not a
radical. I'm a democrat. I stand for equity and justice. Is the Nigerian State
built on equity and justice? Mbanu!
In a democracy, you don't suppress
legitimate aspirations, so long as they are human aspirations. That is the
meaning of the much-touted “Open Society". I congratulate PM DAVID CAMERON
for being a democrat. ‘You came you saw and you conquered’. Lesson for those
who think Nigeria must be one at all costs. There is nothing sacrosanct about
Nigeria. In the midst of injustice and perceived injustice, Nigeria's unity
can't be said to be 'a no go area' or 'non-negotiable' as is often touted by
her leaders who do nothing to advance nation-building, equity and justice. They
forget that Nigeria's is merely a creation of Lord Lugard and not a creation of
God. We can decide to maintain our unity on terms to be freely agreed upon.
Personally I prefer to be in Nigeria, but on terms that guarantees a Just and
Equitable nation. As much as I prefer a just and fair Nigeria to a smaller
Biafra, I won’t support the murder of those who dare say they wan to leave
Nigeria. Our criminal avoidance of any question about the terms of our union is
the reason why with our human numerical strength, vast resources and land mass,
we are still the laughing stock among big and small nations. Let’s kontinuuuuu…
The other day, scores of innocent Igbo
youths were murdered by mainly Northern military boys from Onitsha Army
barracks at Nkpor and Onitsha area. Blood, innocent blood was spilled even in
front of my house in my village. The boys were not armed. All eye witnesses
confirmed this. It was captured on video and now on the internet. The murderous
army of occupation took away their bodies in several hilux vans for mass burial
within the barracks. No arms were recovered. No account of bodies was taken. No
names of the dead recorded. No autopsy. No identification. What an animal
kingdom indeed!!!!
Even by Rules of Engagement in actual
armed conflict, Geneva Convention would still be respected! Yet there was no
real war. If other people don’t want to talk about this mass murder, the Igbo
leadership has also kept quiet as if the victims of this mass murder who
mentioned Biafra are ipso facto criminals. To want to leave or stay in EU is
not a crime. So to want to leave or stay in Nigeria is also not a crime. Nobody
should be killed for merely saying he wants Biafra. The blood of these boys and
similar innocent blood unaccounted for would continue to speak out and haunt
Nigeria. We will probably continue to be a feeding-bottle adult state until we
redress these genre of atrocities.
Human progress or advancement is best
stunted, stultified and capped where human beings are not allowed freedoms of
thought, aspiration and expression. Nigeria’s golden years remain the PM Tafawa
Balewa era when the Regions were freely enterprising and competing. Those who
seized the competitive advantage led and flourished. Others seized the
motivation and ran to catch up and everybody was happy.
Nigeria's entrenched parochial
oligarchs who think the UK Government was stupid to allow a vote on the EU
don’t know anything. It is for progress of the UK. And progress we will never
have until we allow a vote on “BIAEXIT” or other similar EXITS, be it
“ODUDUEXIT” or “AREWAEXIT” or “IJAWEXIT”. As we continue to murder those who
call for “BIAEXIT” in cold blood and giving them mass burial in army barracks
instead of allowing the expression to be tested, we burn Nigeria’s candle on
both ends. It is to the disadvantage of Nigeria that our successive leaders
feel that to take a bold look at the 1914 union is a crime that shouldn’t be
committed under “their watch”. Which "watch"? Illiterate and
uniformed "watch"? Do these "watches" have a better gold
chain than PM Cameron's "watch"? Bunkum!
Happy retirement PM David Cameron.
#IPOB LAUNCHES #BIAFREXIT
– Following the referendum in the UK, IPOB congratulated the
people ofBritain
– The group announced the launching of ’BIAFREXIT’ as its
campaign slogan
– IPOB called on the British government to guide President
Muhammadu Buhari and his colleagues to organize a BIAFREXIT in Nigeria
– It accused British Prime Minister David Cameron of hypocrisy
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has officially announced
the launching of ’BIAFREXIT’ as its campaign slogan. Daily Post reports that
Barrister Emma Nmezu and Dr. Clifford Chukwuemeka Iroanya, the spokespersons of
the group, announced this in a statement issued on Saturday, June 25.
In a statement titled “There must be ‘BIAFREXIT’ in line with
the just concluded ‘BREXIT’”, IPOB congratulated the people of Britain and
applauded the government for respecting the wishes of its citizens.The group
also called on the British government to guide President Muhammadu Buhari and
his colleagues to organize a BIAFREXIT in Nigeria.
However, IPOB criticized British Prime Minister David Cameron of
exhibiting hypocritical attitude towards the Biafran course.
“It smacks of hypocrisy that the same David Cameron that
initiated the BREXIT vote has been propping up the Buhari‘s government in their
murderous acts of suppressing the quest by Biafrans to exit from Nigeria. This
leaves Biafrans to ask if David Cameron’s hypocrisy is because Biafrans are
blacks and if black Africans are inferior to white British people?
“Why does David Cameron think that what is good for the white
British people is not good for the black people of Africa especially Biafrans?
Mr. David Cameron, in organizing BREXIT is taking advantage of the rights of
people to make their choice.
“But in denying Biafrans the right to choose their own nation,
David Cameron is telling Biafrans that they are inferior because of the colour
of their skin. David Cameron is directly telling Biafrans that because they
come from an inferior race, they do not deserve to exist as a nation of their
own choice.”
“There are indications that Scotland will restart their
agitation for separation from Britain and both David Cameron and his would-be
successor will not stop them nor will they roll out tanks and other lethal
weapons to mow down the Scots likethe British-supported Nigeria has been doing
to Biafrans,” IPOB stated.
The group further re-emphasized thatself-determination is a
right that must be exercised by all free people.
“By blocking the self-determination efforts of Biafrans through
overt and covert supports to Muhammadu Buhari, is David Cameron telling the
world that Biafrans are still in slavery despite the abolition of slavery in
1833?”IPOB wondered.Calling for speedily organization of BIAFREXIT, IPOB
continued:
“In addition, we warn the incoming prime minister that failure
to probe the criminality of Buhari against the Biafrans will make Britain
culpable in the re-enacted 21st century Biafran genocide.
“It is unfair and hypocritical that the British government will
allow free expression of the wishes of her citizens, while on the other hand
supporting Buhari in his brutal mass-murder of Biafrans who are exercising
their God-given freedom to determine their nationality.
“We believe that the days of slavery are gone and the black race
should not be treated as an inferior and expendable race. The time has come for
BIAFREXIT and Britain must support it.”
Following an increase in agitation for UK-style referendum on
whether southern states should secede from the Nigerian Federation, the Niger
Delta Avengers appeled to Buhari.
They advised the president “to borrow a leaf from PM David
Cameronand call for a referendum and let Nigerians decide.”
I will start with a footnote: I believe
in one, united Nigeria. Not that I am the best patriot in town, but I just love
diversity. I love the Nigerian diversity. I love suya, edikaikong, ofe Owerri
and banga. I love it when Onyeka Onwenu sings in Yoruba and Funmi Adams croons
in Hausa. I love the Pidgin English woven from virtually every Nigerian tongue.
I love it when I’m in church and everybody is singing Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, Efik
and Urhobo songs with excitement, dancing vigorously, waving handkerchiefs. I
feel proud as a Nigerian. I love it when Chiemele marries Ayodeji and Mfon weds
Efe. I am delighted when I see Emeka Ike in a Yoruba movie. That’s me.
Truth be told: I’m crazy about diversity — which I think is an
attribute of God. It was TY Bello that sang: “And the universe/it shows me Lord
how diverse You are/How wonderful/How beautiful You are.” I’m sorry, but I do
not desire to live in a society where everybody is Yoruba, where everybody is
Christian, where everybody is my height, where everybody is dark like me, where
everybody dresses like me. It would be so, so boring. And I think nature abhors
it. Look around you. We talk of birds in generic terms, but there over 8,000
species. Your dogs are not of the same species. Your cats are not. Diversity is
a fact of life. I just love the Nigerian rainbow.
But I am also not an idiot, strictly speaking. The Nigerian union
is clearly not a bed of roses. There is intense political competition among the
big ethnic groupings, and the Igbo have for nearly 50 years expressed a desire
to get out of the union, to be on their own. They feel marginalised. Yet, the
Igbo — like many other groups — have distinguished themselves in virtually
every field of human endeavour: science, technology, industry, sport, creative
industry, media, finance, name it. Not just locally but also globally. In the
opinion of many Igbo thought leaders, they would be better off in their own
country, hence the perennial agitation for Biafra.
The Igbo have often found themselves on the periphery of power,
starting from the events surrounding the January 1966 coup and the chain
reactions thereafter. Although, the declaration of the Republic of Biafra in
1967 did not survive the horrendous civil war, there is no denying the fact
that the sentiments are still strong in different gradients. The campaign for
Biafra resurfaced in the early 2000s as Nigeria returned to democracy under
President Olusegun Obasanjo. It seemed to have faded in the five years of
President Goodluck “Azikiwe” Jonathan, but it has surfaced yet again under
President Muhammadu Buhari.
Thursday’s decision by British voters to pull out the UK from the
European Union is bringing another dimension to the Biafra agitation — a
campaign was promptly started on the social media pushing for a similar
referendum to determine if the Igbo should also exit the Nigerian union. And
after giving the Biafra agitation a hard thought for years, I am coming to the
conclusion that if it is indeed the wishes of the majority of Igbo people to
leave Nigeria, perhaps the time has come to do something about it. It is now 46
years since the civil war ended, but the generations born during or after the
war are still campaigning for the actualisation of Biafra.
I am beginning to think that we need to be more strategic in
engaging with the Biafra idea. I am often reminded that it is only riff raff
and rented crowds that are on the streets agitating for Biafra, and I wish it
were that simple. The sentiments, may I repeat, are still very strong. Indeed,
ideologies die a natural death when there are no new generations of purveyors
and believers. But we cannot say the same thing about Biafra. It has diehard
believers. Those at the forefront of the campaign today are offshoots of the
original purveyors; some are even grand offshoots. But the sentiments remain
the same: we want out; we want our own country.
Therefore, how long can the rest of Nigeria hold on against such a
deep-seated emotion that has survived for at least 49 years? Will ignoring or
criticising the agitations solve the problem? How long are we going to downplay
this emotion? Of course, I can give you one million reasons why I think the
Igbo are better off in Nigeria, and why I prefer them to remain in Nigeria, but
it is not about what I feel but what the Igbo want for themselves. The real
task, then, is to find out: what do the Igbo really want? Do they want Biafra
or a bigger share of the political space? Do they want Balkanisation or a
bigger say in Abuja? These are the critical questions, in my opinion.
Will a referendum be necessary to determine the fate of Biafra? No
matter how popular this may be among the Biafra agitators, a referendum is
highly complicated. One, there is no portion of the Nigerian laws that allows
for a referendum, much less to determine the balkanisation of the country. The
first step would be to amend the constitution to make a legal provision for the
adoption of a referendum. This will require at least 24 state houses of
assembly and two-thirds of the National Assembly to approve — and the assent of
the president. I honestly do not see this sailing through, except it is
pre-arranged and pre-agreed by all concerned.
Two, no president will sit down and wilfully crack up his country.
One of my favourite quotes from former President Goodluck Jonathan is: “I
inherited one Nigeria, and it is not under my watch that Nigeria will
disintegrate.” I do not know how any president would go into a meeting and come
out smiling that he just signed an agreement to break up Nigeria. It is very
unrealistic to think President Buhari would push for a referendum as the
British PM David Cameron did over Brexit. Many in the president’s corner will
argue that he is dealing with agitations for different things from all the
corners of the country and Biafra is just one of them.
Where do I stand? I stated it earlier — I prefer one Nigeria.
Anyone who is familiar with my writings and opinions over the years will know
that I have always argued that the problem with our nationhood is not our
diversity but the political management of it. Every country has diversity
issues to deal with — ethnic, language, race, class, sexuality, religion,
gender, and so on. These issues stoke tensions, no matter how subtly, from time
to time. But the countries that have made progress are those that are managing
these tensions with equity, fairness, justice and accommodation. Luckily, they
do not need any referendum for that.
More importantly, however, political tensions — often expressed,
or evident, in ethno-religious agitations in Nigeria — are capable of being
resolved when the economic issues are being genuinely addressed and economic
opportunities are well spread across board. I have always believed that the
average Nigerian is not asking for too much, but when you have unemployment and
poverty and insecurity ravaging the land, political tensions are inevitable.
That again highlights the need to develop a robust economy, create
opportunities, provide infrastructure, improve security, and address youth
unemployment and restiveness. It is a nationwide problem.
On the political management of our diversity, I would like to
state yet again that every part of Nigeria must have a stake in government. No
part must feel like there is an agenda to keep them out or relegate them. No
matter how much we theorise, this feeling is a major driving force
behind the resurgence of Biafra agitations and it has to be skilfully
managed. I have no idea what is going through the mind of Buhari, but I would
suggest that he should douse the tension created by this notion. He has enough
problems in his hands; the ones that can be addressed with a stroke of the pen
are the quick wins. That will not need a referendum.
AND FOUR OTHER THINGS…
FAITH’S FATE
I would like to inform those who are interested that Faith
Andrews, the 14-year-old girl with end-stage kidney disease that I wrote about
on April 10, 2016, has successfully undergone a transplant in Abuja. She is
recovering very well. You would recall that Prof. Isaac Adewole, minister of
health, took interest in the case. The surgery was paid for by the federal
government. But there is one point I want to hammer home: kidney failure is
becoming an epidemic and government must now classify it as a public health
issue. I will keep saying this until it is done. Imperative.
COUP TALK
I thought it was a joke when some militants said, recently, that
they were encouraged to continue their bombing campaign so that the military
could overthrow our democracy. But the army chief, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, has
been holding meetings with senior officers to assure Nigerians that there would
be no coup. Anybody old enough to experience military rule as recently as under
Gen. Sani Abacha will never wish for a coup. Is it the underground detention
cells that are attractive? Is it the bombing of media houses and killing of
journalists? Is it the state-sponsored assassination of activists? Terrifying.
THREE LAWMAKERS
Three Nigerian lawmakers were accused of sexual misconduct in the
US by the hotel staff, according to the American ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. James
Entwistle. All of them have vehemently denied the allegation. Rt. Hon. Yakubu
Dogara, the speaker of the house of representatives, has asked for evidence. In
the interest of justice, fairness and closure, I think we have to get to the
bottom of this matter. This was a development that generated global headlines.
It would be very sad if events push it into oblivion and all we end up with are
mere allegations and mere denials. Inconclusive.
BREXIT, AT LAST
So the British voted to leave the EU. Actually, those who swung
the outcome were senior citizens above 60 who are still glamourising the “good
old days” when the UK was an Island, metaphorically speaking. It is quite
interesting, isn’t it, that it was after the result that many Britons started
asking Google: “What is EU?” Shoot first, ask questions later. The outcome
threw global economy into turmoil, but things will hopefully settle in the
weeks ahead. The British economy will gain some and lose some, expectedly, but
it will take years for the impact to be fully understood. Mistake?
BRITISH DESPOTISM PLUNGED US INTO WAR AND DENIED US RIGHT TO SELF-DETERMINATION
9th July 2016
The blind can see it, the deaf can hear it, even the
common man can now fathom it - the British agenda in Africa. Africa was made an
experimental laboratory for Britain’s amusement and the approach was,
"First to venture, wins it all".
They came in different guises - as missionaries, as
merchants, as politicians etc. In all these attempts, Biafra made herself a
hard nut to crack, with a system of government uncommon in Africa or anywhere
in the world. It got these unremitting enemies of Biafra thinking and the
journey began.
For Biafra’s unwillingness to freely relinquish her
children as slaves, Britain introduced kidnapping (Olauda Ekwuano was a
victim), for Biafra’s diffidence to give away her invaluable artworks
(sometimes used as an object of worship), Britain destroyed an entire community
to steal from it. For refusing their orders, Britain killed our people.
Our arts became too demonic for us but angelic for
their museums. Our ancestors were painted to be demons while theirs should be
moulded and revered. Finally, we were amalgamated with total strangers who have
no values in common with us - just in the bid to further frustrate these
peculiar breeds of the black race (Biafrans). These and much more, we fought
and are still fighting – the tyrannous traits inherent in the British
government.
It has been established, Nigeria was a gift to the
ignorant, decadent and feudalistic Hausa-Fulani oligarchy. Britain, having the
full knowledge that retaining control over Biafra would be impossible, presumed
that merging them with their puppets was the best possible way to achieve that.
More to this roguish amalgamation, they structured the country in a way that
will perpetually give the Northerners a political advantage over the rest of
the country just as they enjoyed in the European Union till lately.
They incited hatred amongst the Biafran tribes in a
"Divide and Rule" manner and ensured that the country was robbed of
any trace of tranquillity. To this end, Biafrans began the quest for a better
society, a place they will feel belonged, and a place they can call home.
Biafrans believed that whatever the Whites can do, they can also do. Biafrans
believed in themselves, they believed in true and absolute independence.
In Ojukwu’s words, "Our struggle is a movement
against racial prejudice, in particular against that tendency to regard the
black man as culturally, morally, spiritually, intellectually, and physically
inferior to the other two major races of the world - the yellow and the white
races. This belief in the innate inferiority of the Negro and that his proper
place in the world is that of the servant of the other races, has from early
days coloured the attitude of the outside world to Negro problems. It still
does today’’.
This was why Britain unleashed unspeakable terror on
Biafra. Britain, through Nigeria, waged the most dreadful war against Biafrans
which consumed an acknowledgeable number of 6 million Biafrans. To this
mendacious government of Nigeria, Britain supplied weapons, blockaded Biafra,
shut out the media and did all they could to wipe out Biafra from the face of
the earth. Yes! They fed us with war, we ate it until it came out from our
nostrils.
Today, what do we see? That same Biafra, springing up
stronger from different ends of the earth. Chanting her songs of old, songs of
freedom, demanding her sovereignty from all forms of real or perceived alien
domination. This wounded lion is out again to take its place in the world.
Though they were killed on the battleground, the idea seemed to be eternal, this
quest for a Biafran home has become a living hope for generations. This time,
she is determined to be free from the shackles of the British Empire and the
Northern Islamic oligarchy.
Again, Britain is standing on her way. Their
fantastically corrupt darling – Nigeria, is faced with an imminent
disintegration. Unfortunately for Britain, it came at a time when it is also
determined herself, to leave the European Union, it came at a time Biafrans are
more equipped to expose their puckish manipulations to the world just by waves.
All their calls for one-Nigeria have clearly been
proven to be hypocritical to the whole world. Their argument for one-Nigeria
has become obtuse and witless. They have long denied Biafra of her right to
Self-Determination; but no doubt, Biafra has become immune to her malevolent
trademark. Biafra is in view.
#BIAFREXIT! #BIAFREXIT!! #BIAFREXIT!!!
#BIAFREXIT! #BIAFREXIT!! #BIAFREXIT!!!
By Chinedu Ewulu and Amalahueze
Eminence Akaeze
Edited by KeneChukwu HalleluYah Okekenta
Published By IkeChukwu NwaOrisa
FOR BIAFRA WRITERS.
Edited by KeneChukwu HalleluYah Okekenta
Published By IkeChukwu NwaOrisa
FOR BIAFRA WRITERS.
November 8, 2016
Press
Release
X-RAYING
THE NEW
CHARGES BROUGHT
AGAINST NNAMDI KANU
BY MUHAMMADU
BUHARI: A DANCE OF
SHAME
PRELUDE:
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) having reviewed all the Laws of the
Federation of Nigeria and the Constitution of Nigeria hereby categorically make
the following irrefutable assertions:
1) There
is no place in any of the existing laws of Nigeria and the Constitution where
the name or title or phrase ”Department of State Services (DSS)” can be found.
Therefore, DSS is both illegal and unconstitutional.
2) There
is no place in any of the existing laws of Nigeria and the Constitution where
the terminology or phrase ”South-East zone” and ”South-South zone” can be
found. Therefore, the terminology or phrase ”South-East zone” and ”South-South
zone” are both illegal and unconstitutional.
3) Count
One and Count Two of the new charges are invalid and must be thrown out because
there is no such Law as “Criminal Code Act CAP. C38 Laws of the Federation of
Nigeria, 2014” and there is no Law known as “Criminal Code Act CAP. C38 Laws of
the Federation of Nigeria, 2000”
X-RAYING
THE NEW CHARGES:
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) carried out a forensic analysis of the trumped-up charges brought against Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and exposed the nullity and futility of the exercise which has many gaping holes. After studying our well-researched deconstruction of the frivolous charges, Muhammadu Buhari has now brought new charges and subsequently increased the charges against Nnamdi Kanu from three (3) to six (6). In our tradition, we are here to deconstruct and destroy these weak and error-laden charges.
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) carried out a forensic analysis of the trumped-up charges brought against Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and exposed the nullity and futility of the exercise which has many gaping holes. After studying our well-researched deconstruction of the frivolous charges, Muhammadu Buhari has now brought new charges and subsequently increased the charges against Nnamdi Kanu from three (3) to six (6). In our tradition, we are here to deconstruct and destroy these weak and error-laden charges.
CHARGE
#1
“Conspiracy to commit a treasonable felony, contrary to section 516 of the Criminal Code Act Cap. C38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2014 and punishable under the same section of the Act.”
“Conspiracy to commit a treasonable felony, contrary to section 516 of the Criminal Code Act Cap. C38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2014 and punishable under the same section of the Act.”
PARTICULARS
OF OFFENCE
That you Nnamdi Kanu, ‘M’, Onwudiwe Chidiebere ‘M’ Banjamin Madubugwu, ‘M’, David Nwawuisi, ‘M’ and others now at large on diverse dates in 2014 and 2015 in Nigeria and London, United Kingdom, did conspire amongst yourselves to broadcast on Radio Biafra monitored in Enugu and other areas within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, preparations being made by you and others at large, for states in the South-East and South-South zones and other communities in Kogi and Benue States to secede from the Federal Republic of Nigeria with a view to constituting same into a Republic of Biafra and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code Act, CAP. C38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2000”
That you Nnamdi Kanu, ‘M’, Onwudiwe Chidiebere ‘M’ Banjamin Madubugwu, ‘M’, David Nwawuisi, ‘M’ and others now at large on diverse dates in 2014 and 2015 in Nigeria and London, United Kingdom, did conspire amongst yourselves to broadcast on Radio Biafra monitored in Enugu and other areas within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, preparations being made by you and others at large, for states in the South-East and South-South zones and other communities in Kogi and Benue States to secede from the Federal Republic of Nigeria with a view to constituting same into a Republic of Biafra and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code Act, CAP. C38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2000”
IPOB
Comments on Charge #1:
Buhari has found out that it is unheard of in law that only one person will be charged for treasonable felony, hence he has now incorporated three more people to get out of the tight corner to which he found himself. We want to remind that entire humanity that each time the illegal and unconstitutional DSS wants to lose the case against Nnamdi Kanu they will introduce a new defendant. Recall that on the 18th of October Nnamdi Kanu was arraigned alone despite the fact that David Nwawuisi was already in jail and held without trial since July 2015. When their frivolous charges of criminal intimidation collapsed at the Magistrates Court, they quickly charged Mazi Nnamdi Kanu with terrorism before the sagacious Justice A. F. A. Ademola and that too was dismissed. Now that they are faced with the option of releasing Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, they have introduced Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi as well as Chidiebere Onwudiwe and charged all with Conspiracy to commit Treasonable Felony. These new set of charges is the fourth alteration of charges that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has encountered.
Also in this charge, it is not clear on who was where regarding the accused persons and the locations mentioned. In addition, the use of the term “others now at large” renders the charge a mere conjecture or guesswork because Buhari is expected to know those being accused by name. Using the term “others now at large” is akin to operating a blank cheque and as we observed in our previous forensic analysis. These “others now at large” could be Barack Obama, David Cameron, Theresa May, Bill Clinton, Prof. Osibanjo, Atiku Abubakar, Justice Binta Nyako, Mamman Daura, and even Aisha Buhari.
We also note that there is no specificity in date of commission of the crime and this renders the charge baseless. We posit that this time around, Buhari has made the charges more dismissive by using the term “diverse dates in 2014 and 2015”. To make his case arguably, Buhari must specify the date or dates of the commission of the crime. In the prelude, we have already mentioned that the term “South-East” and South-South” are illegal and unconstitutional.
Finally, we want to inform Buhari that the law he cited in “Particulars of Offence” is in conflict with the law cited in the “Charge.”. This alone renders this charge invalid.
Buhari has found out that it is unheard of in law that only one person will be charged for treasonable felony, hence he has now incorporated three more people to get out of the tight corner to which he found himself. We want to remind that entire humanity that each time the illegal and unconstitutional DSS wants to lose the case against Nnamdi Kanu they will introduce a new defendant. Recall that on the 18th of October Nnamdi Kanu was arraigned alone despite the fact that David Nwawuisi was already in jail and held without trial since July 2015. When their frivolous charges of criminal intimidation collapsed at the Magistrates Court, they quickly charged Mazi Nnamdi Kanu with terrorism before the sagacious Justice A. F. A. Ademola and that too was dismissed. Now that they are faced with the option of releasing Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, they have introduced Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi as well as Chidiebere Onwudiwe and charged all with Conspiracy to commit Treasonable Felony. These new set of charges is the fourth alteration of charges that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has encountered.
Also in this charge, it is not clear on who was where regarding the accused persons and the locations mentioned. In addition, the use of the term “others now at large” renders the charge a mere conjecture or guesswork because Buhari is expected to know those being accused by name. Using the term “others now at large” is akin to operating a blank cheque and as we observed in our previous forensic analysis. These “others now at large” could be Barack Obama, David Cameron, Theresa May, Bill Clinton, Prof. Osibanjo, Atiku Abubakar, Justice Binta Nyako, Mamman Daura, and even Aisha Buhari.
We also note that there is no specificity in date of commission of the crime and this renders the charge baseless. We posit that this time around, Buhari has made the charges more dismissive by using the term “diverse dates in 2014 and 2015”. To make his case arguably, Buhari must specify the date or dates of the commission of the crime. In the prelude, we have already mentioned that the term “South-East” and South-South” are illegal and unconstitutional.
Finally, we want to inform Buhari that the law he cited in “Particulars of Offence” is in conflict with the law cited in the “Charge.”. This alone renders this charge invalid.
CHARGE
#2
“Treasonable felony, contrary to Section 41 (c) of the Criminal Code Act Cap. C38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2014 and punishable under the same section of the Act.“
“Treasonable felony, contrary to Section 41 (c) of the Criminal Code Act Cap. C38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2014 and punishable under the same section of the Act.“
PARTICULARS
OF OFFENCE
“That you Nnamdi Kanu ‘M‘ being the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on diverse dates in 2014 and 2015 in London, United Kingdom, did broadcast on Radio Biafra monitored in Enugu and other areas within the jusrisdcition of the is Honourable Court, preparations being made by you and others now at large, for states in the South-East and South-South zones and other communities in Kogi and Benue States to secede from the Federal Republic of Nigeria with a view to constituting same into a Republicof Biafra and you committed an offence punishable under Section 41(c) of the Criminal Code Act, CAP. C38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
“That you Nnamdi Kanu ‘M‘ being the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on diverse dates in 2014 and 2015 in London, United Kingdom, did broadcast on Radio Biafra monitored in Enugu and other areas within the jusrisdcition of the is Honourable Court, preparations being made by you and others now at large, for states in the South-East and South-South zones and other communities in Kogi and Benue States to secede from the Federal Republic of Nigeria with a view to constituting same into a Republicof Biafra and you committed an offence punishable under Section 41(c) of the Criminal Code Act, CAP. C38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
IPOB
Comments on Charge #2:
Buhari has failed here to be specific on actual dates of commission of the crime of treasonable felony by using the term “diverse dates in 2014 and 2015“, which renders the accusation as lacking in specificity and typical of conjectures and beer-parlour guess-work. We want Buhari to tell the world if broadcasting in London makes the broadcast under the jurisdiction of the Abuja Court or is it being monitored in Enugu that makes a broadcast that was made in London now within the jurisdiction of Abuja Court. Again we ask Buhari, who are these “others now at large“? How can you use the term “others now at large“ in a high-profile case such as treasonable felony without identifying the specific individuals involved thereby making it unbelievable and giving rooms for significant margins of error? Under the excuse of “others now at large“, many people can be wrongly termed as those who allegedly worked with Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. It is possible that Yusuf Buhari, Aminah Buhari, Zarah Buhari, and Ibrahim Babangida are among these “others now at large“.
Just as noted in the prelude, the illegality and unconstitutionality of South-East and South-South has already been established. Buhari is economical in words and should tell the world what “preparations” that are being made by Nnamdi Kanu and these “others now at large“ because the charge is not explanatory enough.
We want to remind Buhari that exercising the rights to self-determination is not equivalent to levying war against Nigeria. Broadcasting from London is not equivalent to levying war against Nigeria. It must be recalled that Buhari sponsored Radio Chanji in Northern part of Nigeria during the last Presidential Election in which he promised that he would make blood of Nigerians to flow on the streets if he loses the election.
Buhari has failed here to be specific on actual dates of commission of the crime of treasonable felony by using the term “diverse dates in 2014 and 2015“, which renders the accusation as lacking in specificity and typical of conjectures and beer-parlour guess-work. We want Buhari to tell the world if broadcasting in London makes the broadcast under the jurisdiction of the Abuja Court or is it being monitored in Enugu that makes a broadcast that was made in London now within the jurisdiction of Abuja Court. Again we ask Buhari, who are these “others now at large“? How can you use the term “others now at large“ in a high-profile case such as treasonable felony without identifying the specific individuals involved thereby making it unbelievable and giving rooms for significant margins of error? Under the excuse of “others now at large“, many people can be wrongly termed as those who allegedly worked with Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. It is possible that Yusuf Buhari, Aminah Buhari, Zarah Buhari, and Ibrahim Babangida are among these “others now at large“.
Just as noted in the prelude, the illegality and unconstitutionality of South-East and South-South has already been established. Buhari is economical in words and should tell the world what “preparations” that are being made by Nnamdi Kanu and these “others now at large“ because the charge is not explanatory enough.
We want to remind Buhari that exercising the rights to self-determination is not equivalent to levying war against Nigeria. Broadcasting from London is not equivalent to levying war against Nigeria. It must be recalled that Buhari sponsored Radio Chanji in Northern part of Nigeria during the last Presidential Election in which he promised that he would make blood of Nigerians to flow on the streets if he loses the election.
CHARGE #3
“Managing an unlawful society, punishable under Section 63 of the Criminal Code Act, CAP. C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.“
PARTICULARS
OF OFFENCE
“That you Nnamdi Kanu, ‘M‘, Onwudiwe Chidiebere ‘M‘ and others at large, on or about the year 2012 at London, United Kingdom and South East as well as South South parts of Nigeria within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court managed an unlawful society, to wit: the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), pursuant to your secessionist agenda, with intent to bringing into being, a Republic of Biafra out of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 63 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap. C38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.“
“That you Nnamdi Kanu, ‘M‘, Onwudiwe Chidiebere ‘M‘ and others at large, on or about the year 2012 at London, United Kingdom and South East as well as South South parts of Nigeria within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court managed an unlawful society, to wit: the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), pursuant to your secessionist agenda, with intent to bringing into being, a Republic of Biafra out of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 63 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap. C38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.“
IPOB
Comments on Charge #3:
Is Buhari aware that IPOB is duly registered in the United Kingdom? If IPOB is truly registered in the United Kingdom, then what makes it an unlawful society? So Buhari is telling the world that Biafrans under the aegis of IPOB exerting their rights to self-determination as enshrined in the various declarations of the United Nations and the African Union is constituting an unlawful society? We can also extrapolate that Buhari has committed the same crime because on the 29th of September 205, Buhari made the following statement at the United General Assembly in New York: “The international community has come to pin its hopes on resolving the Palestinian issue through the two – states solution which recognises the legitimate right of each state to exist in peace and security. The world has no more excuses or reasons to delay the implementation of the long list of Security Council resolutions on this question. Neither do we have the moral right to deny any people their freedom or condemn them indefinitely to occupation and blockade.“
Section-62(2) of CAP C38 L.F. N. 2004 specified conditions under which an organization can be deemed unlawful society, and none of the conditions is against the rights of Indigenous People to self-determination.
We want to remind Buhari that Biafrans and IPOB exist in every nook and cranny of Nigeria and outside Nigeria. Therefore, it is an insult for Buhari to state that IPOB is managed only in London and in the illegal and unconstitutional South East and South South of Nigeria. We reiterate to Buhari that the right to self-determination is inalienable and irreducible and NOT a secessionist agenda. Buhari should know that inclusion of the term “others now at large“ makes this charge unsustainable and nothing but a mere guess-work because all accused persons must be known and identified and not just referred to as “others now at large“.
Is Buhari aware that IPOB is duly registered in the United Kingdom? If IPOB is truly registered in the United Kingdom, then what makes it an unlawful society? So Buhari is telling the world that Biafrans under the aegis of IPOB exerting their rights to self-determination as enshrined in the various declarations of the United Nations and the African Union is constituting an unlawful society? We can also extrapolate that Buhari has committed the same crime because on the 29th of September 205, Buhari made the following statement at the United General Assembly in New York: “The international community has come to pin its hopes on resolving the Palestinian issue through the two – states solution which recognises the legitimate right of each state to exist in peace and security. The world has no more excuses or reasons to delay the implementation of the long list of Security Council resolutions on this question. Neither do we have the moral right to deny any people their freedom or condemn them indefinitely to occupation and blockade.“
Section-62(2) of CAP C38 L.F. N. 2004 specified conditions under which an organization can be deemed unlawful society, and none of the conditions is against the rights of Indigenous People to self-determination.
We want to remind Buhari that Biafrans and IPOB exist in every nook and cranny of Nigeria and outside Nigeria. Therefore, it is an insult for Buhari to state that IPOB is managed only in London and in the illegal and unconstitutional South East and South South of Nigeria. We reiterate to Buhari that the right to self-determination is inalienable and irreducible and NOT a secessionist agenda. Buhari should know that inclusion of the term “others now at large“ makes this charge unsustainable and nothing but a mere guess-work because all accused persons must be known and identified and not just referred to as “others now at large“.
CHARGE #4
“Publication of defamatory matter, punishable under Section 375 of the Criminal Cod Act, Cap. C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004”
PARTICULARS
OF OFFENCE
“That you, Nnamdi Kanu, on or about the 28th April, 2015 in London, United Kingdom did broadcast on Radio Biafra monitored in Enugu, Enugu State and other parts of Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, referred to Major General Muhammadu Buhari, GCON President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a paedophile, a terrorist, and idiot and an embodiment of evil knowing same to be false and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 375 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”
“That you, Nnamdi Kanu, on or about the 28th April, 2015 in London, United Kingdom did broadcast on Radio Biafra monitored in Enugu, Enugu State and other parts of Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, referred to Major General Muhammadu Buhari, GCON President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a paedophile, a terrorist, and idiot and an embodiment of evil knowing same to be false and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 375 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”
IPOB
Comments on Charge #4:
This charge should be dismissed immediately for the following reasons:
1) As at 28th of April, 2015, Retired Major General Muhammadu Buhari was not the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Hence the title and the position ascribed to him was wrong and nullify the charge. If Buhar feels defamed by the alleged defamatory publications, he should sue Nnamdi Kanu in his private capacity because he was a private citizen as at April 28th, 2015.
This charge should be dismissed immediately for the following reasons:
1) As at 28th of April, 2015, Retired Major General Muhammadu Buhari was not the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Hence the title and the position ascribed to him was wrong and nullify the charge. If Buhar feels defamed by the alleged defamatory publications, he should sue Nnamdi Kanu in his private capacity because he was a private citizen as at April 28th, 2015.
2) On
March 23rd 2015, an online newspaper called “thebreakingtimes” published an
article in which it quoted Mrs Sarah Obozuwa, Founder of the Edo Women for
Change (EWC), as saying that Aisha Buhari is a victim of childhood rape. Mrs
Obozuwa asserted that Buhari (at 47 years of age) had sex with Aisha when she
was just nine years old. This statement was made more than one month before the
alleged comments of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and there has never been any denial or
rebuttal from Buhari and Aisha.
3) On
March 15, 2015, Sheikh Sani Haliru, a founding member of the dreaded jama’aful
Ahlul sunna wal Liddawati wal Jihad also referred to as the Boko Haram,
publicly confessed that Muhammadu Buhari is the founding father of Boko Haram
and this was reported in “Naijaonppint.com” online newspaper. Again,
Buhari did not refute this accusation.
4)
Buhari has been involved in several incidences of inciting violence duraing and
after elections. Currently, there is a case of against Buhari in The Hague for
killing innocent Nigerians after he lost the 2011 elections. Therefore, it is
not out of place to conclude that by his acts of commission and omission he is
evil and his governance/leadership style since December 31, 1983 can be
correctly defined as idiotic.
CHARGE #5
“Improper importation of goods contrary to Section 47(1 (a) (i) of the Customs and Excise Management Act, Cap. C45 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under the same section of the Act.”
PARTICULARS
OF OFFENCE
That you, Nnamdi Kanu, between the month of March and April, 2015, imported into Nigeira a Radio Transmitter known as TRAM 50L and kept it in your house at Ubulusiuzor in Ihiala Local Government Area (LGA) of Anambra State, Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 47(1) (a) (i) of the Customs and Excise Management Act, Cap. C45 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
That you, Nnamdi Kanu, between the month of March and April, 2015, imported into Nigeira a Radio Transmitter known as TRAM 50L and kept it in your house at Ubulusiuzor in Ihiala Local Government Area (LGA) of Anambra State, Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 47(1) (a) (i) of the Customs and Excise Management Act, Cap. C45 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
IPOB
Comments on Charge #5:
First of all, Nnamdi Kanu does not have a house in Ubulusiuzor in Ihiala LGA, hence this nullifies the charge outright. Secondly, what is the proof that the duty on the said item was not paid for before it was removed from the wharf? Also, was this item forcefully or stealthily removed from the wharf considering the checks and balances and security networks supposedly existing in the wharf? On what day was this item removed without paying the requisite duty and who were the officers on duty on that day, especially those in charge of security and at the exit gates? When exactly did this crime take place because the commission of a crime must take place on a specific date and not the range of months being bandied about on the charge sheet?
First of all, Nnamdi Kanu does not have a house in Ubulusiuzor in Ihiala LGA, hence this nullifies the charge outright. Secondly, what is the proof that the duty on the said item was not paid for before it was removed from the wharf? Also, was this item forcefully or stealthily removed from the wharf considering the checks and balances and security networks supposedly existing in the wharf? On what day was this item removed without paying the requisite duty and who were the officers on duty on that day, especially those in charge of security and at the exit gates? When exactly did this crime take place because the commission of a crime must take place on a specific date and not the range of months being bandied about on the charge sheet?
CHARGE
#6
“Improper importation of goods contrary to Section 47(2) (a) of the Customs and Excise Management Act, Cap. C45 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under the same section of the Act.”
“Improper importation of goods contrary to Section 47(2) (a) of the Customs and Excise Management Act, Cap. C45 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under the same section of the Act.”
PARTICULARS
OF OFFENCE
“That you, Nnamdi Kanu, between the months of March and April, 2015 imported into Nigeria and kept in Ubulusiuzor in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, a Radio Transmitter known as TRAM 50L concealed in a container of used household items which you declared as used household items, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 47 (2) (a) of the Customs and Excise Management Act, Cap. C45 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under the same section of the Act.”
“That you, Nnamdi Kanu, between the months of March and April, 2015 imported into Nigeria and kept in Ubulusiuzor in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, a Radio Transmitter known as TRAM 50L concealed in a container of used household items which you declared as used household items, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 47 (2) (a) of the Customs and Excise Management Act, Cap. C45 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under the same section of the Act.”
IPOB
Comments on Charge #6:
The first question here is; when was this discovery made? Who was the Customs Officer on duty who cleared this container? Was thorough inspection not part of the process required to clear goods from Nigerian Ports and who inspected this container? What is the proof that the said item was not properly cleared under a competent Customs Official? Was this offence part of the reason why Mazi Nnamdi Kanu was abducted by the illegal and unconstitutional DSS on October 14, 2015?
The first question here is; when was this discovery made? Who was the Customs Officer on duty who cleared this container? Was thorough inspection not part of the process required to clear goods from Nigerian Ports and who inspected this container? What is the proof that the said item was not properly cleared under a competent Customs Official? Was this offence part of the reason why Mazi Nnamdi Kanu was abducted by the illegal and unconstitutional DSS on October 14, 2015?
Signed
Barrister Emma Nmezu
Dr. Clifford Chukwuemeka Iroanya
Spokesperson for IPOB
Barrister Emma Nmezu
Dr. Clifford Chukwuemeka Iroanya
Spokesperson for IPOB
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