Ohanaeze Ndigbo on Monday called on President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is produced in court on Thursday.
It would be recalled that the trial of Kanu, who was arrested on June 25 and extradited to Nigeria to face trial for alleged treason, was adjourned to Thursday, October 21, following the failure of authorities to produce him in court on July 26, 2021.
A statement made available to ABN TV in Enugu on Monday by Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia, National Publicity Secretary, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, said the appearance of Kanu in court becomes necessary in order to prove to the global community that he is not only hale and hearty but that shady judicial process is not contemplated while on trial.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo stands on a firm wicket to proclaim that the agitation and youth restiveness in the South-East of Nigeria is simply a reaction or an effect or the consequences of an orchestrated alienation by the Federal Government over the years. The theory of causality quickly reminds us that a phenomenon or a chain of phenomena contributes to the production of other forms of phenomena; where the cause is partly responsible for the effect.
“On the other hand, not until some of the issues of obvious injustice against the Igbo are seen to be addressed, the chains of catastrophe that threaten the corporate existence of Nigeria may well-nigh be inevitable. History shows that it is extremely difficult to have peace amidst injustice. Emphatically, we need not look elsewhere to know that IPOB is simply an exponent of Igbo collective sentiments and predicaments in our tortuous journey and an unquantifiable sacrifice for one Nigeria.
“The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Ambassador George Obiozor, had in his inaugural speech on January 20, 2021, called on the presidency to consider dialogue as a panacea to peace, insisting that the jackboot approach to the IPOB uprising will rather aggravate the precarious situation.
“Professor Obiozor, a seasoned diplomat and scholar, urged the Federal Government to reconsider the use of force in solving the present national crises. Obiozor relied on his knowledge of history and international relations to explain that military and violent means to solve the national question is bound to fail as it leads to further national fraction alisation, anarchy and eventual or inevitable disintegration, as in all empires or multinational states or countries.
“Ohanaeze considers the use of dialogue and political solution as the only workable option open to the presidency and indeed all men and women of goodwill that desire peace and sustainable growth for Nigeria.
“Ohanaeze recalls with consternation that on May 2, 2019, a Federal Government delegation led by the Minister of Interior, Abdul-Rahman Dambazau, held a meeting with national leaders of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), as part of steps to address the country’s security challenges. The meeting was hosted by the governor of Kebbi State, Alh. Atiku Bagudu. In attendance was the then Acting Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Muhammad Adamu. Bagudu remarked: “This shows the seriousness of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration in tackling the security challenges in the country.
“The President of MACBAN, Alhaji Muhammad Kiruwa, also lauded the Federal Government for mulling such an important interaction; according to Kiruwa, “this is the first of its kind in the history of this country, for the president to direct his security aides to interact with an aggrieved party to air its views. The Internet shows the global rating of Miyetti Allah as a terrorist group, yet the Federal Government has met with the body in search of peace.
“During the time of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, the Niger Delta was at the peak of youth restiveness and Yar’Adua opened a channel for dialogue and the matter was over. President Goodluck Jonathan, during his incumbency, had set up a committee commonly referred to as the Presidential Committee on Dialogue with Boko Haram, an initiative which has been sustained by President Buhari’s administration. As at today, governors in the North have openly demonstrated their desire for dialogue with dreaded groups terrorising their regions, the video clips abound.
“Based on the foregoing, the Ohanaeze structures, including the Council of Elders, Council of Traditional Rulers, the Igbo governors, Igbo NASS members, government officials, archbishops and the clergy, stakeholders, youth and women wings, town union, etc., are ready for a meaningful dialogue with the Federal Government of Nigeria on a plethora of challenges facing the Igbo nation and Nigeria. Our core objective is a sense of belonging in a country anchored on equity, justice, and fairness.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide enunciates that the guardrail of democracy is anchored on toleration, forbearance and dialogue. Good governance is merely an outcome based on the application of the democratic undervalues. And not until the right thing is done and seen to have been done, Nigeria will most likely continue in its downward spiral,” the statement read.
The statement thereby urged the leader of Ohanaeze delegation to the trial of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, and the legal team led by the National Legal Adviser of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Barr. Joseph Ojodu and Barr. Goddy Uwazurike to put in their very best to ensure that Nnamdi Kanu obtains justice.
FG Files Amended Charge Against Nnamdi Kanu
Meanwhile, ahead of the scheduled trial of Nnamdi Kanu, on October 21, the Federal Government has filed an amended charge to prove its case against the defendant.
Among other counts, it wasalleged, “That you Nnamdi Kanu, male adult of Afarachukwu Ibeku, Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State on or about the 28th of 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 court.
“That you Nnamdi Kanu, male adult of Afarachukwu Ibeku, Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State between the month of March and April 2015 imported into Nigeria and kept in Ubulusiizor in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State within the jurisdiction of this honorable court, a radio transmitter known as TRAM 50l concealed in a container of used household items you declared as used household item sand you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 47 (2) of the Criminal Code of Act ,Cap C45, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”
It was alleged also that Kanu, “on the 16th of May, 2021 in London, United Kingdom, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did commit and act in furtherance of an act of terrorism by making a broadcast that ‘in two weeks’ time, what will happen will shake the world, people will die, the whole world will stand still, mark my word’ and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 1 (2) (h) of the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act, 2013.”
