The Nigerian government has alleged that the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mr Nnamdi Kanu, orchestrated the killing of 60 persons and the destruction of property in 55 violent attacks across the South East and South South Zones of the country within four months.

The Federal Government stated this in a letter to western diplomats.

This is as two groups, Cultural Credibility Development Initiative (CCDI) and Nzuko Umunna urged that the manner of arrest and return of Kanu to Nigeria must be interrogated, to ensure it conforms to International laws and conventions, insisting also that the trial of the IPOB leader must be open to the public while government must prosecute any person or group that has issued threats to kill or inflict bodily harm on him in the course of his trial, to “demonstrate that it is not complicit in these repeated threats, especially as the purveyors have never been interrogated, arrested or brought to justice.”

CCDI, in a statement by Chief Goddy Uwazurike and Steve Nwabuko, its President and Secretary respectively, noted that the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice of Nigeria, Mallam Abubakar Malami, SAN, did not, while announcing the “interception” and return of Kanu to Nigeria, throw light on whether these were done  in accordance with International laws and conventions.

The group also insisted that Mazi Kanu has fundamental rights under Section 31 of the Nigerian Constitution and Article 4 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, both of which the Federal Government should comply with, stressing that with the arrest of the IPOB leader, who is the “the supposed reason for the increased siege to the South East,” there should be “remarkable reduction in the security presence that is resulting in loss of lives in the South East.”

CCDI also called for a trial “that aligns with human rights and the freedom of the judiciary to make its decisions on point of law,” urged security agents to “desist from harassment of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s associates, including his lawyers,” stressed that justice must not only be done but must be seen to have been done and, especially, that the “media, civil society organisations, and the Nigerian Bar Association should be fully present at the trials.”(Read full text of statement below).

Nzuko Umunna, in its statement, by Mr. Joe Odumuko   and Dr. Uju Agomoh, Executive Secretary and Deputy Executive Secretary respectively, which also noted that government has not provided details on the circumstances surrounding the “interception” of Kanu, insisted on the prosecution of those who have been threatening to kill or inflict bodily harm on him in the course of the trial and stressed that government and all state actors will be held to account “under domestic and international laws to the fullest extent possible,” should any harm be done to the IPOB leader while in custody. (Read full text of statement below.)

 The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Federal Government’s letter to western diplomats, dated April 26, 2021 detailed “the atrocities” committed by members of IPOB on the alleged instruction of Kanu who was then in exile.

NAN also reports that one of the attachments to the letter listed the attacks on lives and property by IPOB in some parts of the country between January and April 2021.

With several broadcasts by Kanu from Europe, there were concerns in government quarters that some western countries were justifying IPOB’s alleged violent acts under the guise of the group’s pursuit of self-determination.

According to the “demarche” from the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to some western countries, the Federal Government objected to a statement by an agency of a western nation whose government had noted and admitted that the creation of Eastern Security Network (ESN), based on its own understanding, was to combat insecurity in the South East.

The Federal Government, in its letter, however considered the statement (by the western nation) as ”justifying the establishment of a militia by a non-state actor and glossing over the destructive and violent acts of IPOB and the ESN.”

” In under four months this year, IPOB has carried out over fifty-five (55) violent acts in various parts of Southeast Nigeria killing scores of people and destroying many properties.”

“Indeed it would seem that the position (of the western nation) seems to have further emboldened Nnamdi Kanu the self-confessed leader of IPOB.”

“ As recently as 22nd April, 2021, broadcasting online from his base in London, Mr Kanu has issued series of instructions to his militia and other members of the outlawed organisation, on acts of violence to be carried out within the territory of Nigeria,” the Federal Government stated in the letter.

The letter made copious references to some of the threats issued by Kanu thus: “Our madness has just begun.

” Every night, young men will not sleep, you will come out, at the starting of every road that leads to every populated area under human habitation to make sure that appropriate road blocks are put in place to slow them down so we can catch them (Fulanis) and kill them.

”That is what we want you to do. Obiano (Governor of Anambra State) from today onwards, anywhere you are seen in public you will be attacked …. Obiano, … you are a dead man walking.

“Any landlord that gives accommodation or rents his house or her house to a Fulani person, to an army personnel, to somebody who works for the police or DSS ….

“Kill them. If you see the army and the police in your place, kill all of them… Kill them.

“From today I am announcing, there will be no election in Anambra State. Every edifice of election in Anambra State, will be destroyed. I am warning you in advance. There will be no election. There will be no campaign in Anambra State.

“Any vehicle you see, from tonight (22nd April 2021), 12 midnight to 5, destroy it completely. That is the time they (referring to Fulanis) move about abducting people. And we keep quiet. … What stops you young people from, once you see them coming around 4am in the morning, you will block all every exits, set it on fire?”

”They will exhaust all the ammunition that they have, then we capture them alive and cut off their heads. All of them. Decapitate them,” the Federal Government further quoted Kanu’s alleged instructions to IPOB members.

The Federal Government also noted that members of the IPOB, in furtherance to these instructions, intensified their attacks on the specified targets.

According to the Federal Government, Kanu issues instructions from western capitals using Radio Biafra and members of IPOB allegedly carry them out in Nigeria.

“For example, a day after Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State has confirmed to newsmen that Nnamdi Kanu has ordered members of the group to kill him and other South-East Governors, which orders were repeated on Radio Biafra, the private residence of Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, in his hometown in Omuma, Oru East Local Government Area of Imo State, was attacked and set ablaze and two of the security men attached to the house were killed,” the Federal Government said.

The letter then listed the IPOB attacks in the South East and South South Zones:

1. Abia: Between January 26 and April 19, 2021, six policemen were killed while property worth huge sums were destroyed by IPOB members in coordinated attacks at Uratta junction, Aba North LGA; Omoba Police Station, Isiala-Ngwa South LGA; Abriba Community in Ohafia LGA, and Uzuakoli Police Station in Bende LGA.
2. Akwa Ibom: 25 persons, including security personnel were killed in deliberate attacks on different locations across the state, between January 27 and April 19, 2021.
3. Cross River: Seven police officers were killed at Calabar-Ikom highway in Obubra and Yakur LGAs, on March 2, 2021, while a soldier was killed two days later on March 4 at a military checkpoint at Obubra Junction in Obubra LGA.
4. Delta: Between January 10 And April 14, IPOB members attacked and killed 11 persons including security personnel in Ughelli, Ndokwa East, Ezza South, Onicha, Ezza North, Ohaozara, Ohoukwu, LGAs.
5. Enugu: Three policemen were killed in attacks on different locations across the state between February 28 and April 18.
6. Imo: Between January 3 and April 24, 2021, IPOB members killed seven persons and injured many others in different attacks in Orlu, Obouo, Aboli Mbaise, Chitte Uboma, Isiala Mbano, Owerri, Njaba, Mbatoli, Oru East LGAs.
7. Rivers: On April 17, 2021, IPOB operatives killed an NSCDC operative on guard duty at Shell crude oil manifold in Elelewon village in Obio/Akpor LGA and injured many others.

The Federal Government also told the western nation that its position may seem to have further emboldened Kanu, adding that this may explain the increased tempo of attacks carried out by members of his group.

NAN reports that Kanu, who jumped bail in 2017 and fled the country, was arrested and re-arraigned before Justice Binta Nyako of a Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday.

FULL TEXT OF STATEMENT BY CULTURAL CREDIBILITY DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE.

PRESS STATEMENT ON THE RE-ARREST OF MAZI NNAMDI KANU

1. The attention of Cultural Credibility Development Initiative has trailed the announcement, on 29 June 2021, by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mallam Abubakar Malami, SAN, of the Federal Government’s re-arrest of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

2.Cultural Credibility Initiative also noted that details of his arrest and the rights accorded him have remained in the realms of speculations.

3. While his prompt re-arraignment in court and the stated date of 26 July 2021 to commence trial may signal alignment with the rule of law, there are unanswered questions.
4. How was Mazi Nnamdi Kanu brought back to Nigeria? Were they in accordance with International laws and conventions? Mallam Malami was silent on these.
5. Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has fundamental rights under Section 31 of the Nigerian Constitution and Article 4 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights. The Federal Government should comply with
6. With the arrest of Nnamdi Kanu, the supposed reason for the increased siege to the South East, Cultural Credibility Development Initiative expects remarkable reduction in the security presence that is resulting in loss of lives in the South East.

7.Cultural Credibility Development Initiative looks forward to a trial that aligns with human rights and the  freedom of the judiciary to make its decisions on point of law. Security agents should desist from harassment of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s associates, including his lawyers.

8.Cultural Credibility Development Initiative is committed to peace, but notes that no peace can be founded within injustice. As Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, of blessed memory would say,

“Justice must not only be done but must be seen to have been done”.

9. The media, civil society organisations, and the Nigerian Bar Association should be fully present at the trials.

SIGNED:

Chief Goddy Uwazurike (President)

Steve Nwabuko (Secretary)

 

NZUKO UMUNNA PRESS STATEMENT ON THE INTERCEPTION OF MAZI NNAMDI KANU

1. Nzuko Umunna notes the “interception” of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), by the Federal Government. While the government is yet to provide details on the circumstances surrounding the “interception,” we hope his arrest accords with international law and conventions to which Nigeria is obligated.
2. We ask the Government to ensure that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s fundamental rights are secured to the fullest extent possible. It is noteworthy that Section 31 of the Nigerian Constitution and Article 4 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights obligates the Federal Government to ensure that Nnamdi Kanu does not suffer any bodily harm while in the custody of the state and its agencies. It bears repeating that it is the responsibility of the Federal Government to secure the bodily integrity and personal dignity of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu while in its custody. We shall hold the Nigerian Government and all state actors to account on this obligation under domestic and international laws to the fullest extent possible.
3. Consistent with the pressing need to guarantee Nnamdi Kanu’s fundamental rights, we demand the prosecution of any person or group that has issued threat to kill or inflict bodily harm on Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in the course of his trial. The government must demonstrate that it is not complicit in these repeated threats, especially as the purveyors have never been interrogated, arrested or brought to justice.
4. We note that the trial of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has been adjourned to July 26, 2021 and demand that the Nigerian Government and the judiciary secure his right to fair trial as guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution and under international law. Given that Nnamdi Kanu has been profiled as an enemy of the state, the need to ensure a fair and transparent trial becomes more urgent. Any effort to intimidate the judiciary must be discouraged by all stakeholders.
5. In line with our commitment to peace and to a sustainable resolution of the Mazi Nnamdi Kanu debacle, we urge the government to rethink its security and peace-building strategies and adopt a more conciliatory approach towards resolving national challenges. We note that most respected national leaders have called for a national dialogue to stave off the prospects of Nigeria becoming a failed state, and urge the Federal Government to key into this initiative. Instructively, a seeming predilection to the jackboot strategy has only yielded more sweat, blood and tears for our bleeding nation. The killing of Mohammed Yusuf and its aftermath are still fresh in our minds, even as the followers of detained cleric, Ibrahim el Zakzaky continue to press his case.
6. We urge the Federal Government to view the Mazi Nnamdi Kanu debacle as fundamentally a political case that must be resolved with uncommon wisdom. We cannot continue on the path of anarchy and ceaseless bloodletting that has seized our nation by the jugular for years. The Federal Government must show a commitment to listen to its restive youth now scattered across all regions of the country. A stitch in time saves nine.
7. We commit to assist the Federal Government in this process.

SIGNED:

Mr. Joe Odumuko

Executive Secretary

Dr. Uju Agomoh

Deputy Executive Secretary