BIAFRA
KANU'S TRANSFER TO PRISON: A GLIMMER OF HOPE FOR BIAFRANS?
If the news occupying the media, that the Leader of Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB) cum the Radio Biafra Boss has been sent to prison following the ruling of the Justice of the Federal High Court, Abuja, Justice John Tsoho is anything to go by, then I do not see the reason why well meaning Biafrans should not be in high spirit at the moment because for once, the Department of State Services(DSS), working under the directives of President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government, has finally obeyed this single order coming from the court.
But still, this last minute adherence to the position of the court in Nnamdi Kanu's case has left so much to be desired because one would have thought that as usual, the DSS will flout the judgement, but alas, this time, they obeyed, leaving me with nothing but to wonder if we are now going to see them start obeying the directives of the judiciary and not theirs or if they had been whipped to line following the recent reply coming from European Union(EU) High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy to the Chief Administrative Officer of the Organization of Emerging African States(OEAS) in which sequel to the letter sent to the former by the later has now responded by disclosing that they are following closely, the political developments in Nigeria as regards to Biafran struggle. The EU had said in their reply that they recognizes the protection of human rights, fundamental freedom and the established international law and customary practice of self-determination as regards the Biafran struggle orchestrated by the Indigenous People of Biafra who had seen reasons why they should seek for a separate and independent State. Albeit, the EU may may have multifaceted and long standing relationship with Nigeria, but it is believed that they are respecting the fundamental human rights and international law.
Kanu who had been in detention for three months now has been kept incommunicado and under torture in the DSS' cell, away from his parents, siblings, wife and teeming supporters (who had storm the court in every proceeding) and recently his newly delivered son Nnabuike Kanu.
It seems that the federal government via the DSS has lost focus and/or confidence and have encountered fatigue and confusion, pursuing this frivolous case against Kanu. They had asked the court to drop and struck out the charges filed against Kanu on December 18, 2015 on the account of treasonable felony to proceed with the ones also filed against on December 23 same year, which in it was highlighted that: "Kanu along with other unknown persons now at large in London, United Kingdom between the year 2014 and September 2015, with intention to levy war against Nigeria in order to force the President to change his measures of being the President of the federation, Head of State, and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces of Nigeria 1999(as amended) by doing an act wit; Broadcast on Radio Biafra monitored by the NBC for the preparation of the States in the South-east and South-South geo-political zones, including Igala community in Kogi and Idoma to secede from the Federal Republic of Nigeria and form themselves into a Republic of Biafra, and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 41(C) of the criminal code act, CAP C38 laws of the federation of Nigeria, 2004. Also filed against him is the ownership of unlawful society.
It sounds rather absurd though that while Kanu is seeking for self-determination which is a fundamental right Nigeria is bound to respect, she is rather accusing him with spurious charges bordering on criminality and ownership of unlawful society(IPOB) which ironically, the UN had recognized during the Assembly of Indigenous Peoples and Kanu as its leader. If it is within Kanu's right to demand the exercise of the same right just as Buhari himself has advocated for the recognition of an independent Palestinian and Western Sahara States respectively, then that pre-empties the charges levelled against him. Just as he had told the High Court Judge; "My name is Nnamdi Kanu, am a Biafran, I am not guilty". In essence, all these treason charges against him by many is a mere waste of time and resources. There is no amount of charges in the world that will work against, change, hinder or quell the struggle because he and his group have been working within the ambit of international law for self-determination.
Though still in the enemies' camp, Biafrans were thrilled when Justice Tsoho ruled that Kanu be remanded in Kuje Prison pending his trial for treason. They expressed hope, arguing that at least, they could get the opportunity of meeting and communicating with him when needed unlike hitherto, he has limited access to his people and lawyer. They also embraced hope that though the case with him slated on Monday 25th, 2016 is still inchoate, he will soon leave prison and return home to continue to steer the ship of the struggle and to at least hold and cuddle his newly arrived baby boy. Our struggle for self determination is a just course anchored in our unequivocal faith in our God Chukwuokike-abhiama, and from available record, He has never failed those who put their faith and trust in Him. Chukwuokike-abhiama determined that we should come; that is why Biafra restoration is non-negotiable.
Written By Ucheagu Chukwuemeka Chimerue
Edited By Ikechukwu Nwaorisa
By BIAFRA WRITERS
KANU'S TRANSFER TO PRISON: A GLIMMER OF HOPE FOR BIAFRANS?
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| KANU |
But still, this last minute adherence to the position of the court in Nnamdi Kanu's case has left so much to be desired because one would have thought that as usual, the DSS will flout the judgement, but alas, this time, they obeyed, leaving me with nothing but to wonder if we are now going to see them start obeying the directives of the judiciary and not theirs or if they had been whipped to line following the recent reply coming from European Union(EU) High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy to the Chief Administrative Officer of the Organization of Emerging African States(OEAS) in which sequel to the letter sent to the former by the later has now responded by disclosing that they are following closely, the political developments in Nigeria as regards to Biafran struggle. The EU had said in their reply that they recognizes the protection of human rights, fundamental freedom and the established international law and customary practice of self-determination as regards the Biafran struggle orchestrated by the Indigenous People of Biafra who had seen reasons why they should seek for a separate and independent State. Albeit, the EU may may have multifaceted and long standing relationship with Nigeria, but it is believed that they are respecting the fundamental human rights and international law.
Kanu who had been in detention for three months now has been kept incommunicado and under torture in the DSS' cell, away from his parents, siblings, wife and teeming supporters (who had storm the court in every proceeding) and recently his newly delivered son Nnabuike Kanu.
It seems that the federal government via the DSS has lost focus and/or confidence and have encountered fatigue and confusion, pursuing this frivolous case against Kanu. They had asked the court to drop and struck out the charges filed against Kanu on December 18, 2015 on the account of treasonable felony to proceed with the ones also filed against on December 23 same year, which in it was highlighted that: "Kanu along with other unknown persons now at large in London, United Kingdom between the year 2014 and September 2015, with intention to levy war against Nigeria in order to force the President to change his measures of being the President of the federation, Head of State, and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces of Nigeria 1999(as amended) by doing an act wit; Broadcast on Radio Biafra monitored by the NBC for the preparation of the States in the South-east and South-South geo-political zones, including Igala community in Kogi and Idoma to secede from the Federal Republic of Nigeria and form themselves into a Republic of Biafra, and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 41(C) of the criminal code act, CAP C38 laws of the federation of Nigeria, 2004. Also filed against him is the ownership of unlawful society.
It sounds rather absurd though that while Kanu is seeking for self-determination which is a fundamental right Nigeria is bound to respect, she is rather accusing him with spurious charges bordering on criminality and ownership of unlawful society(IPOB) which ironically, the UN had recognized during the Assembly of Indigenous Peoples and Kanu as its leader. If it is within Kanu's right to demand the exercise of the same right just as Buhari himself has advocated for the recognition of an independent Palestinian and Western Sahara States respectively, then that pre-empties the charges levelled against him. Just as he had told the High Court Judge; "My name is Nnamdi Kanu, am a Biafran, I am not guilty". In essence, all these treason charges against him by many is a mere waste of time and resources. There is no amount of charges in the world that will work against, change, hinder or quell the struggle because he and his group have been working within the ambit of international law for self-determination.
Though still in the enemies' camp, Biafrans were thrilled when Justice Tsoho ruled that Kanu be remanded in Kuje Prison pending his trial for treason. They expressed hope, arguing that at least, they could get the opportunity of meeting and communicating with him when needed unlike hitherto, he has limited access to his people and lawyer. They also embraced hope that though the case with him slated on Monday 25th, 2016 is still inchoate, he will soon leave prison and return home to continue to steer the ship of the struggle and to at least hold and cuddle his newly arrived baby boy. Our struggle for self determination is a just course anchored in our unequivocal faith in our God Chukwuokike-abhiama, and from available record, He has never failed those who put their faith and trust in Him. Chukwuokike-abhiama determined that we should come; that is why Biafra restoration is non-negotiable.
Written By Ucheagu Chukwuemeka Chimerue
Edited By Ikechukwu Nwaorisa
By BIAFRA WRITERS
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