BIAFRA: BUHARI REWARDS SAHARA REPORTERS WITH SOWORE'S ARREST.

BIAFRA:
BUHARI REWARDS SAHARA REPORTERS WITH SOWORE'S ARREST.

14th January2017
With mixed feelings, the Indigenous People Of Biafra, IPOB, received the news about the arrest of the founder of Sahara Reporters (SR) in LAGOS on 11 January 2017. We felt sad because Africa's curse with despotic and wicked rulers seems perpetual and felt fulfilled to see men reap what they have sown (whether good or bad).

This piece will be more insightful with Martin Niemoller's quote, who said: "In Germany, they came first for the communists, I didn't speak up because I wasn't a communist; then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist; they came for the Jews, and I did not speak up because I wasn't a Jew; And then... they came for me, and there was no one left to speak for me."

Sowore


With a hypocritical tongue, SR asked questions they have never asked while other freedom fighters (like Nnamdi Kanu, Benjamin Madubugwu, David Nwawuisi, Femi Fani Kayode etc) were persecuted. Since Sowore's arrest over alleged blackmail, SR has expressed concern over the silence of free press in the geographical expression called Nigeria; they have suddenly realized that the freedom of the press is enshrined in Nigeria's constitution -they have asked questions on grounds that should necessitate arrest of individuals, they have wondered if blackmail carries an arrest requirement when perceived to be a civil offense and if anyone can be arrested on the mere allegation of blackmail. They have asked endless questions.

READ THIS: Biafra: Buhari has paid 20 billion Naira to News reporters to tarnish the image of IPOB

Today, a co-hunter is hunted; it is payback time for Sowore's evil alliance with Muhammadu Buhari (the Nigerian president), to dethrone Goodluck Jonathan via media blackmail. SR is reaping the fruits of her conspiracy with the federal government of Nigeria to unleash terror, enslave Biafrans and alienate the right of self-determination via media propaganda.

Condemning SR's role in the current state of Nigeria, Fani Kayode wrote: "I also blame a small but notable and identifiable section of the media who sold their heritage for a mess of pottage, and who have opted to remain silent and, in some cases even openly encourage and support the evil that has been visited upon us as our native goes to the 'dogs'.

MUST READ: BIAFRA: NIGERIA MEDIA-BUNCH OF LIARS

"All these groups and individuals have betrayed the Nigerian people. They have destroyed their destinies, enslaved their children, impoverished their lives, shamed their loved ones, dishonored their forefathers, divided their nation, shattered their dreams and set our country back by at least 50 years."

Before the female evangelist who lost her life at Abuja was murdered, she never preached against the injustice meted on Biafrans; before El Zakazaky's torture and detention, the Shiites would refer to Biafrans as rebels; before Buhari took over the government, Nigerian thought that a bad tree can bear good fruits; before 11 January 2017, Sahara Reporters has never emphasized on 'freedom of press' as they have done in the past few days. Until Nigerians become victims, they never condemn an evil.

"Nigerians have a terrible aversion to truth and are very comfortable with living with suffering, wickedness, and injustice. "In fact, the greater the injustice, violence, persecution and wickedness that the state metes out to others, the more comfortable and happier Nigerians are.

MUST READ: NIGERIA: BUHARI'S SHAMEFUL PRESIDENTIAL MEDIA CHAT- Says Dual Citizenship is Treasonable Felony

"Nigerians actually enjoy it and secretly rejoice when those around them and their compatriots suffer pain, death, humiliation, shame, hardship, destruction, injustice and persecution. It is a strange and self-destructive disposition and a devious form of sadomasochism." -Fani Kayode.

SR has in the past years, connived with the government of Nigeria to label IPOB as a terror group, they have disseminated false stories by the Nigerian army against Biafrans, criminalized the agitation for the restoration of Biafra and has never condemned the tortures, incarceration, persecution and extra-judicial killings of Biafrans by the Nigerian government.

Somehow, Mr. Sowore forgot that the principle of retributive justice, 'reaping what you sow' is a natural law that can never be altered. He forgot that the wages of sin is death. His deviation from the truth has presented him as a soft target and a guilty fellow before his old friends. The evil that men do, lives with them.

READ THIS TOO: JUST IN!! I REPEAT WE ARE NOT NEGOTIATING WITH BUHARI...AVENGERS TO SAHARA REPORTERS

Mr. Sowore's arrest will also serve as a preview of events to all other groups -from Channels TV, Punch News Paper, to the Odua People's Congress, the religious bodies, human Rights groups in Nigeria, the Arewa people, Ohaneze, traditional rulers and politicians who have rather chosen to remain silent before the atrocities and killings in this present government led by Jihadist Buhari. It will be a matter of time before this terror knocks at their doors in one form or the other because the evil we fail to confront today, will grow to consume us tomorrow.

As for Mr. Sowore of Sahara Reporters, he has been paid with his own coin.

Written By Somuadila Ugwummadu
Published By IkeChukwu NwaOrisa
For Biafra Writers.

Biafra: Binta Nyako Comes Under Fire From Kanu And IPOB, Suspends Secret Trial As Lawyer Demands Quashing Of All Charges

Nnamdi Kanu At Federal High Court

ABUJA— Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, today suspended the proposed Federal government’s secret trial of the IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu pending the court’s determination of the “prima facie” suit filed by Kanu’s lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor.

The court arrived at this decision in order to consider the competence of the charges levelled against the defendants by the Nigerian government and had slated it for ruling on Wednesday, February 10, 2017.

Barrister Ejiofor while objecting to the charges, described them as “empty, baseless, unfounded and lacks merit,” adding that in that circumstance, what the court is required to do when found that the poor evidence does not disclose primary specific identity, is to quash  the charges and discharge and acquit the defendants.

Read also:Biafra: "We Have Been Romancing with FG In Kanu's Case, But It's Time To Take The Bull By the Horn...We Want All Charges Squashed"--Barr Ejiofor Tells Court

Ejiofor described Nnamdi Kanu as a freedom fighter who is merely exercising his inalienable right to self-determination clearly provided under Article 20 of the African Charter of Human and People’s Right and also recognized under Article 1 and 55 of the United Nations Charter which according to him, are sacrosanct.

Barrister Ejiofor also told the court that his client is not a threat to the incumbent government of Nigeria as the agitation was on course many years before the emergence of the current regime of President Muhammadu Buhari and as such, cannot translate to the government’s misconception of treasonable felony.

According to Ejiofor, “Nnamdi Kanu is a freedom fighter not a terrorist; unlike other coup plotters who took over power from the leadership of this country through violence.

“The offence for which Nnamdi Kanu is being tried is less than the 1983 coup d’etat which led to the enthronement of President Buhari as military Head of State. There’s no ingredients of treasonable felony found in the proof of evidence before this court.”

Read also:Biafra: The Last Fight To Save the Expired Contraption Called Nigeria Will Fail

Similarly, In his reaction, lawyer to the second defendant, Barrister Innocent Adoga who is representing Mr. Chidiebere Onwudiwe, told the court that there is no material evidence to the charges brought against his client.

Adoga said: “The courts are set up for justice and not for antics or window dressing; this particular defendant(Onwudiwe), ought not to have been brought here.”

The lawyer also accused the Nigerian security operatives, particularly the DSS, of illegally arresting members of IPOB who came to visit Kanu in prison.

“We can’t keep on arresting anyone who chants Biafra in public,” the lawyer said.

Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor was also able to establish before the court that IPOB is not an unlawful society contrary to the views of the Federal government, arguing that the group founded their existence from Section 40 of the Constitution which empowers people the right and freedom of association and assembly.

Read also:Biafra: Buhari Is A Genocidist, What Other Proof Is Needed Before Jailing Him

He further argued that the activities of IPOB does not fall within the items specified under Section 62 of the CPL Act and as such, IPOB has the right to go about their normal meetings and activities so long as they operate within the confines of the constitutional provisions of the law.

Addressing Biafra Writers’ Correspondents after the hearing, Ejiofor disclosed that the intention of the Federal government was to conduct a secret trial of Nnamdi Kanu within a week and convict him but that the motion challenging the competency of the charges prevented this.

He said, “We have just taken an application challenging the competence of the charges which borders on the poor evidence of the charge.

Read also:Biafra: Britain Handed Over Biafra To Hausa-Fulani, But IPOB Is Here To Take It Back!

“Our contention is based on the fact that the poor evidence attached to the charge, does not disclose the prima facie case against our client Nnamdi Kanu. There’s nothing attached to the charge which tends to establish a case of treasonable felony or conspiracy to commit treason, we have been able to highlight it before the court and it has taken note of that, which is to be decided on February 10, 2017.

“Nnamdi Kanu cannot be convicted for treason. I made it known to the court today that he is a freedom fighter. We have other people that committed treasonable felony in this country, people that plotted coup in 1983.

“Our president plotted coup and overthrew a democratically elected Nigerian government. Nnamdi Kanu is not planning to overthrow his government. He has not also committed any offence known to law.

Read also:EXPOSED: BUHARI COMMITTED TREASONABLE FELONY DEC. 31st 1983, NOT NNAMDI KANU

“Nnamdi Kanu and Biafrans are suffering today because of the grand design and conspiracy to suppress the aspirations of the Indigenous People of Biafra.

“I want them to base their arguments and decisions on law, whatever they are doing, let it be based on law. Time has gone when the court will subject itself to extra-provisional pronouncements. I mentioned it in court that the court cannot be binding by what somebody somewhere is dictating.

“We have many applications coming up but let’s hope that we get justice by the virtue of what we just filed today and I have been able to address the court effectively,” he added.

Ejiofor also announced that he had filed an application before the court for the release of those missing Biafrans who was abducted by the DSS when visiting Nnamdi Kanu in Kuje prison, urging the Nigerian secret police to release those people whether they are alive or dead as it is not in the law to detain people above the stipulated 48 days without taking them to court.

Chukwuemeka Chimerue And 
Anyikwa Cynthia Reporting From Abuja.
Published by Nwosu C.S 

For Biafra Writers 

Biafra: "We Have Made It Clear To Binta That Buhari Is The Guilty Felon And Not Nnamdi Kanu."--Barr Ejiofor

ABUJA— Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, today suspended the proposed Federal government’s secret trial of the IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu pending the court’s determination of the “prima facie” suit filed by Kanu’s lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor.

The court arrived at this decision in order to consider the competence of the charges levelled against the defendants by the Nigerian government and had slated it for ruling on Wednesday, February 10, 2017.

Barrister Ejiofor while objecting to the charges, described them as “empty, baseless, unfounded and lacks merit,” adding that in that circumstance, what the court is required to do when found that the poor evidence does not disclose primary specific identity, is to quash  the charges and discharge and acquit the defendants.

Read also:Biafra: "We Have Been Romancing with FG In Kanu's Case, But It's Time To Take The Bull By the Horn...We Want All Charges Squashed"--Barr Ejiofor Tells Court

Ejiofor described Nnamdi Kanu as a freedom fighter who is merely exercising his inalienable right to self-determination clearly provided under Article 20 of the African Charter of Human and People’s Right and also recognized under Article 1 and 55 of the United Nations Charter which according to him, are sacrosanct.

Barrister Ejiofor also told the court that his client is not a threat to the incumbent government of Nigeria as the agitation was on course many years before the emergence of the current regime of President Muhammadu Buhari and as such, cannot translate to the government’s misconception of treasonable felony.

According to Ejiofor, “Nnamdi Kanu is a freedom fighter not a terrorist; unlike other coup plotters who took over power from the leadership of this country through violence.

“The offence for which Nnamdi Kanu is being tried is less than the 1983 coup d’etat which led to the enthronement of President Buhari as military Head of State. There’s no ingredients of treasonable felony found in the proof of evidence before this court.”

Read also:Biafra: The Last Fight To Save the Expired Contraption Called Nigeria Will Fail

Similarly, In his reaction, lawyer to the second defendant, Barrister Innocent Adoga who is representing Mr. Chidiebere Onwudiwe, told the court that there is no material evidence to the charges brought against his client.

Adoga said: “The courts are set up for justice and not for antics or window dressing; this particular defendant(Onwudiwe), ought not to have been brought here.”

The lawyer also accused the Nigerian security operatives, particularly the DSS, of illegally arresting members of IPOB who came to visit Kanu in prison.

“We can’t keep on arresting anyone who chants Biafra in public,” the lawyer said.

Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor was also able to establish before the court that IPOB is not an unlawful society contrary to the views of the Federal government, arguing that the group founded their existence from Section 40 of the Constitution which empowers people the right and freedom of association and assembly.

Read also:Biafra: Buhari Is A Genocidist, What Other Proof Is Needed Before Jailing Him

He further argued that the activities of IPOB does not fall within the items specified under Section 62 of the CPL Act and as such, IPOB has the right to go about their normal meetings and activities so long as they operate within the confines of the constitutional provisions of the law.

Addressing Biafra Writers’ Correspondents after the hearing, Ejiofor disclosed that the intention of the Federal government was to conduct a secret trial of Nnamdi Kanu within a week and convict him but that the motion challenging the competency of the charges prevented this.

He said, “We have just taken an application challenging the competence of the charges which borders on the poor evidence of the charge.

Read also:Biafra: Britain Handed Over Biafra To Hausa-Fulani, But IPOB Is Here To Take It Back!

“Our contention is based on the fact that the poor evidence attached to the charge, does not disclose the prima facie case against our client Nnamdi Kanu. There’s nothing attached to the charge which tends to establish a case of treasonable felony or conspiracy to commit treason, we have been able to highlight it before the court and it has taken note of that, which is to be decided on February 10, 2017.

“Nnamdi Kanu cannot be convicted for treason. I made it known to the court today that he is a freedom fighter. We have other people that committed treasonable felony in this country, people that plotted coup in 1983.

“Our president plotted coup and overthrew a democratically elected Nigerian government. Nnamdi Kanu is not planning to overthrow his government. He has not also committed any offence known to law.

Read also:EXPOSED: BUHARI COMMITTED TREASONABLE FELONY DEC. 31st 1983, NOT NNAMDI KANU

“Nnamdi Kanu and Biafrans are suffering today because of the grand design and conspiracy to suppress the aspirations of the Indigenous People of Biafra.

“I want them to base their arguments and decisions on law, whatever they are doing, let it be based on law. Time has gone when the court will subject itself to extra-provisional pronouncements. I mentioned it in court that the court cannot be binding by what somebody somewhere is dictating.

“We have many applications coming up but let’s hope that we get justice by the virtue of what we just filed today and I have been able to address the court effectively,” he added.

Ejiofor also announced that he had filed an application before the court for the release of those missing Biafrans who was abducted by the DSS when visiting Nnamdi Kanu in Kuje prison, urging the Nigerian secret police to release those people whether they are alive or dead as it is not in the law to detain people above the stipulated 48 days without taking them to court.

Chukwuemeka Chimerue And 
Anyikwa Cynthia Reporting From Abuja.
Published by Nwosu C.S 

For Biafra Writers 

Biafra: Binta Nyako Thrown Into Confusion As "Prima Facie" Couldn't Be Established By the FG's Lawyer: Adjourns Case To 10 Feb, 2017.

The application to quash all charges for lacking merit in the case between Nnamdi Kanu and the federal government of Nigeria was adjourned to 10th of February 2017. The lawyer has applied for the accused to be granted bail as ordered by previous court of competent jurisdiction.

The defence counsel to the IPOB leader, Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor is very confident that the application will succeed because according to them, it is very obvious to even the blind that the no "Prima Facie" case was established and can be established against the accused by the federal government of Nigeria.

Binta Nyako who at the time looked dazed and confused had no option than to suspend secret trial and adjourn the case to the aforementioned date.

Detailed report coming soon!

Published by Biafra Writers 

BIAFRA: THE LAST FIGHT TO SAVE THE EXPIRED CONTRAPTION CALLED NIGERIA WILL FAIL

BIAFRA: THE LAST FIGHT TO SAVE THE EXPIRED CONTRAPTION CALLED NIGERIA WILL FAIL

12th January 2017
It is needless to remind those reading this work that Nigeria as a country has expired since 2014, and presently does not have any legal ground to be addressed as a “state” rather it is better addressed as an “estate”.

Our fathers have been patient enough to endure the hundred years of horrific union with the most barbaric human race; the Hausa/Fulani and their Yoruba counterparts. These elements never thought it a privilege to be incorporated with Biafrans whose civility outweighed that of most nations of Europe.

Our fathers had in the past protested and in some scenarios fought against the worst political chemistry (Nigeria) of humankind. Unfortunately, they were massacred by Britain as was in the cases of Akassa war of 19th century, 
Coal Miners’ war and Aba women repulsion of 20th century respectfully.

RELATED POST: Biafra: "We Have Been Romancing with FG In Kanu's Case, But It's Time To Take The Bull By the Horn...We Want All Charges Squashed"--Barr Ejiofor Tells Court

In mid-20th century (1967-70), our fathers fought the enemies when it was obvious that their lives were being snuffed out without remedy by the enemies. In trying to ask questions on the reasons why they were killed, Britain mobilized other nations (especially the Arabs), to commit genocide against Biafrans. The post-genocidal policies were the 3Rs which practically means “Reconstruction”, “Rehabilitation” and “Reconciliation”.

The Hausa/Fulanis and their brutish British friends are running from pillar to post on how best to reinvigorate the expired contraption, Nigeria. Historically, 2016 stands out to be the worst year for the duo crime partners.

The huge financial wastage in an attempt to push-in Hillary Clinton’s candidature met a waterloo. The crash of that capital expenses adventure was a greater shock to the dual partners in crime than the 1930s American stock collapse. That battle was “lost and won”, and today the remaining mission creed option left for the duo is too weak to see light at the end of the tunnel.

RELATED TOO: Biafra: Confusion At Federal High Court As Nnamdi Kanu Blasts Binta Nyako, Rejects Secret Trial...Case Adjourned To 12th January 2017.

Diplomatically, IPOB has defeated Nigeria, the battlefield is no longer favorable to them internationally. The paradigm has been shifted to the local environment which the judiciary is conscripted by Buhari to join the war against Biafrans.

From the beginning of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s ordeal, two distinct court pronouncements demanded that President Buhari releases him. But as a dictator who doesn’t have regard and respect for the rule of law and sanctity of the judiciary, he flouted the order and instead brought in his sister who is the wife of a national criminal and embezzler of public funds (Justice Binta Nyako), to do his biddings. How far could Nigeria go in this last battle?

READ THIS: BIAFRA: BINTA NYAKO RAN AWAY FROM COURTROOM AS KANU THUNDERS "THERE WILL BE NO SECRET TRIAL"

Binta Nyako’s boldness dies before Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s speech. She is only in this case to ridicule herself and thus bringing her corrupt family history to the mainstream, for the world to know. She doesn’t have the moral locus-standi to preside over the case of the righteous man from the East. The best thing she can do to her lean family reputation is to exit from this case like Justice John Tsoho who equally collected bribe from Buhari.

Her storming out of court for just hearing Nnamdi Kanu speak was a clear indication she lacks boldness and moral liberty due to her corrupt commitment. While Biafrans are patiently waiting to see the shaming of Binta and Buhari at the end, we want to remind Buhari that 2017 is the year for Biafra restoration.
Free#Biafra
Free#NnamdiKanu

Written By Okoro Austine
Edited By Chukwuemeka Chimerue
Published By IkeChukwu NwaOrisa 
For Biafra Writers

BIAFRA: THE UNQUENCHABLE AND UNSTOPPABLE BIAFRAN SPIRIT RAGING

BIAFRA:
THE UNQUENCHABLE AND UNSTOPPABLE BIAFRAN SPIRIT RAGING

11th January 2017
THE Biafran spirit is strong, undying and unquenchable. It is an ideology turned religion and chant of every Biafran...the Biafran Spirit. No amount of incantation, abduction, torture or killing can stop the rage surging in her.

Against the mounting opposition by IPOB against the secret trial, the Buhari lead government of Nigeria went ahead on Tuesday, 10th of January 2016 to initiate a secret trial of the leader of the Indigenous people of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu. This move, Nnamdi Kanu, in line with his fearlessness, rebuffed and opposed at the Federal High Court Abuja being presided over by Buhari's sister, Binta Nyako. 

RELATED: BIAFRA: ALERT! NNAMDI KANU TO FACE SECRET TRIAL AS DICTATOR BUHARI ORDERS DSS TO STOP PRESS MEN FROM ENTERING COURTROOM

Thursday is another day to determine this factor as our Director stood his ground today resisting with vehemence the process of secret trial. We will wait to see how the cunning tortoise will receive "all of them" and fly down from the sky! (proverb) We wait to see how this case will be done in secret with unidentified masquerades. Biafrans are waiting to witness a major injustice unfold because this spirit surging with rage as the sea wave cannot be daunted. We are unstoppable, we are incorruptible and Thursday will definitely herald a new dawn for Biafra.

The world will witness revelations and exhibitions long hidden by the conniving British hypocrites. The cruelty and wickedness of Nigeria will be exposed and alas, the sham and contrasting combination jumbled hurriedly via Luggard by Britain will fall to bits like a pack of cards. 

Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is our epitome of freedom and he has committed no treasonable offense unless it can now be said that the United Nations charter on the right of indigenous peoples to self-determination has become null or void. Unless the move by the people of the Western Sahara for the sovereign state of Saharawi Arab Republic, which Muhammadu Buhari is major sponsor and supporter amounts to a treasonable offense.

RELATED POST: BIAFRA: BINTA NYAKO RAN AWAY FROM COURTROOM AS KANU THUNDERS "THERE WILL BE NO SECRET TRIAL"

He cannot be convicted of treason unless they prove he conducted a coup de'tat to overthrow Nigerian government just as Buhari did in 1983. He will not be treated as a convict because an accused person is deemed innocent until proved guilty in the court of law. Where in the world has self-determination become TREASON?

How can a peaceful protest be called treasonable felony?
Has Director armed himself like Abubakar Shekau, who is walking free?
Has he hijacked any Nigerian state like Boko Haram?
Has he or IPOB invaded the villages and murdered helpless villagers like the Fulani herdsmen walking free and armed?

In all these, he is innocent. A reputable judge of federal high Court discharged him and ordered his unconditional release while a second court granted him bail but the Nigerian Pharaoh, Muhammadu Buhari publicly declared on Television media chat that he will "NEVER" obey the rule of law.

RELATED ARTICLE:BIAFRA: NNAMDI KANU'S SECRET TRIAL: BUHARI ORDERS MEDIA HOUSES TO REPORT TRIAL AS "PARTIAL SHIELDING OF WITNESSES"

To achieve this, Buhari and his sister, Binta Nyako, resorted to a disgraceful strategy of a secret trial after one-year fruitless attempt to frame up trump up charges could not help them. It is one thing to charge Nnamdi Kanu of a treasonable felony offense but it's yet another to prove it with evidence. 

Now Buhari and his bunch of ill trained police offices called DSS having failed to produce any evidence to prove their concocted charges against Kanu, resorted to an infamous Secret trial. And to this Biafrans and their leader Nnamdi Kanu have vehemently opposed. One thing we would wish to reiterate and let Buhari and his DSS know is that the Biafran spirit will not succumb or be conquered. Like the stormy sea, she will not quieten until freedom is born and breed.

Justice Binta Nyako has taken more than she can swallow. Like others before her, she will either excuse herself off this case or be smoked and stampeded out of the bench. Nnamdi Kanu has vowed to destroy Nigeria with evidence and this can never happen in the secret. Binta, storming out of court session is just the beginning. She must prepare to eat the meal cooked by the whole Biafran nation if she fails to uphold the course justice.

READ THIS: BIAFRA: NNAMDI KANU'S WORDS IN COURT PROVES "THERE IS NO GOING BACK ON BIAFRA RESTORATION."

The era of intimidation is gone! The Amnesty international is here to lay bare any further attempt to massacre unarmed Biafrans in cold blood. Biafrans can no longer be gagged and no amount of military forceful interventions can stop Biafrans from pursuing to a logical conclusion the ordained restoration of the sovereign state of Biafra.

As Biafrans, we are solidly behind our Director Mazi Nnamdi Kanu no matter the situation, and we encourage all Biafrans to stand up to the occasion as Thursday will mark the beginning of our march to our father land.
All hail Biafra!
Free Nnamdi Kanu! Let Biafra go!

Written By Victoria Obioma Agangan 
Edited and Published By IkeChukwu NwaOrisa
For Biafra Writers 

Biafra: "We Have Been Romancing with FG In Kanu's Case, But It's Time To Take The Bull By the Horn...We Want All Charges Squashed"--Barr Ejiofor Tells Court

ABUJA— The continued trial of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu today took another dimension as the trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako of the Court 4 Division of the Federal High Court, Abuja, stormed out of the court in anger over Kanu’s outburst and vehement refusal to be tried in secret.

Kanu had earlier objected to be subjected to any form of secret trial or shielding of masked witnesses insisting that since he was accused in the public, his trial should assume a public proceeding after the court had ruled that the witnesses would be shielded from the defendants and members of the public.

Meanwhile before today’s proceedings, the court premises was surrounded by men of the Nigerian security forces armed to the teeth with various sophisticated weapons.

Journalists and other members of the public who had come to witness the trial of the IPOB leader and three other co-accused facing charges of treasonable felony and terrorism, were confronted by these security operatives who barred them from gaining access to the court to forestall the covering of the Kanu’s trial.

During the proceedings, the defense counsel to the IPOB leader, Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor, informed the court that they filed an application seeking the court to squash the charges against his client for lack of merit and that his motion should be heard.

However, the FG’s Prosecuting counsel, Shuaibu N. Labaran, objected Ejiofor’s motion, saying that even though he was served less than 24 hours to the hearing, he was still prepared to reply to the motions as such, the case should continue.

The trial judge, however, adjourned the hearing till Thursday, 12th of Jan 2017 to enable the both parties exchange briefs and then come up for the continued hearing.

Barrister Ejiofor also made it known to the court about the intimidation and high handedness on the part of the Department of State Security, DSS, and other security operatives including bringing his client to court in handcuffs.

According to him, on several occasions, members of IPOB and relatives of his client have been harassed, arrested and even killed by the security officials for visiting the accused persons in prison custody.

Ejiofor urged the court to make pronouncements protecting the lives of his client’s relatives and supporters but the Prosecutor told the court that he is not aware of any such occurrences.

In her reaction to this, Justice Nyako asked Ejiofor to formally inform the court so orders can be made in response to this, but in the interim, she warned the security operatives to treat the defendants as they would treat any other persons standing a criminal trial because according to her, there is nothing so special about their case.

However, speaking to Biafra Writers’ Correspondents, Barrister Ejiofor said they had approached the appellate court because they believe their client should not be tried in camera(secret) but whether the Appeal court will agree to this remains to be seen.

“You have seen what happened in court today, this is where trouble began because before now, we have been romancing with them but now we have taken the bull by the horn because we will never accept Nnamdi Kanu to be tried in secret,” Ejiofor said.

He went further to say, “We filed an application of preliminary objection in court challenging the decision of the court to hear the charges because the charge is patently competent and effective on the ground that the poor evidence attached to the charge cannot sustain it and it didn’t disclose one of the filed cases against our client as such the matter cannot be brought up for a trial.

“You know at the point where the bail application was argued and heard, the court did not have the opportunity to look into the poor evidence and permitted to look at the reasons why it should be struck out. So this time around, we are inviting the court to look into the poor evidence attached to the charge which is the statements made by the Prosecutor including those made by the masked witnesses should be terminated by the court as those allegations could not be sustained at the point of law.

“Those charges were merely concocted to ensure that he is being continuously detained in prison custody and we say that the court should scrutinize the poor evidence attached to the charges to determine whether there is any atom of truth in it and once the court formally goes into the application, that’s the end of the case and if they say ‘no’, we go to court of Appeal.”

Ejiofor also said that the Federal government really prepared today to continue with their plan to present masked witnesses for secret trial which could lead to Kanu’s imprisonment but they objected to this, adding that they are hundred steps ahead of them.

On the application against the trial court’s previous rulings at the Appellate court, Ejiofor said, “We’ve filed an appeal against the secret trial today and also we have filed an appeal against the ruling refusing him(Nnamdi Kanu) bail which can be heard any moment from now.”

Reacting to the issue of some IPOB brethren arrested by agents of the DSS, Ejiofor said, “Today, we also brought to the attention of the court about those people being extra-judicially detained in DSS custody. These are people who went to visit Nnamdi Kanu in prison and on their way home, they were tracked from Abuja to Abia state and they arrested them; they have been in custody till date despite the fact that we have filed an application for their release before the court.

“The DSS is still holding them, there have been denial of them being in their custody and I told the court today that we have confirmed yesterday from their relatives that most of them have been killed by the DSS.

“If they have killed them, they should avail us of their corpses let us go and give them a befitting burial. We will continue to match them with whatever tactics they come up with. So be assured of good professional representation in this matter and be assured that Nnamdi Kanu cannot be tried in secret nor convicted.”

Chukwuemeka Chimerue And Anyikwa Cynthia Reporting From Abuja
For Biafra Writers