The women of Umunneato Community in Aboh Mbaise Council Area of Imo State, on Saturday, blocked the popular Eke Nguru Market to demand the immediate release of their traditional ruler, HRH Eze Leo Nwokocha, from police detention.
The aggrieved women, particularly those of Umunneato Nguru which comprises Egberede, Eziala and Okwu Nguru, trooped out in their numbers to protest the continued detention of Nwokocha.
Recall with 𝕹𝖔𝖇𝖑𝖊 𝕽𝖊𝖕𝖔𝖗𝖙𝖊𝖗𝖘 𝕸𝖊𝖉𝖎𝖆 that Nwokocha, who is the Chairman of Mbaise Council of Traditional Rulers, was arrested by the Imo State Police Headquarters, Owerri, on 28 December, 2022, after a notorious member of the proscribed Eastern Security Network, ESN, Mr. Chinwendu Nwagwu, accused him of sponsoring them.
Nwagwu, aka Onye Army, who hails from Umunneato with Nwokocha, mentioned his traditional ruler’s name and Jude Egwim from Mbaise as their sponsors through one absconded Mr. Ihedioha, who gave them N120,000.
The women, who refused to observe their Eke Nguru Market Day, protested with chants of agony songs over the continued detention of Nwokocha.
One of the leaders of the rampaging women, Florence Opara, from Okwu Nguru, who spoke to 𝕹𝖔𝖇𝖑𝖊 𝕽𝖊𝖕𝖔𝖗𝖙𝖊𝖗𝖘 𝕸𝖊𝖉𝖎𝖆’s known Media, insisted that Nwokocha does not encourage nor tolerate crime in the society.
She called on Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, to use his power as the number one citizen of the state to effect the release of Nwokocha.
Also speaking, Mrs. Getrude Nwaegbu and Mrs. Florence Ogbonna, explained that the community had been in agony since the arrest and detention of the monarch.
An effort to get police reaction was abortive as CSP Michael Abattam said he was no longer on a position to comment in the matter.
The Nigerian Army on Friday said Lieutenant PP Johnson, a female soldier abducted by gunmen on Monday, has not been released by her captors.
Johnson, a newly commissioned female Lieutenant in the Nigerian Army (NA), was kidnapped while visiting her grandmother in Aku-Okigwe in Imo State. (Watch Video Here)
In a viral video, one of the gunmen was heard vowing to deal with all serving personnel of the armed forces.
The Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, debunked reports that the female soldier had been rescued by security operatives.
“The NA wishes to state that the information making the rounds is unsubstantiated as the officer is yet to be released or rescued from her abductors. Likewise, the video footage being circulated and associated with the rescue claim is an old video of the arrest of a suspect earlier effected by troops,” Nwachukwu said.(Watch Video Here)
The army spokesman said her abductors still dehumanised the officer despite coming from the South-Eastern part of the country.
He also chided them for claiming to be freedom fighters, describing members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as being terrorists.
“This evidently is another pointer to the myriads of crimes being unleashed by IPOB/ESN on Ndigbo, the very people (who) claim to be fighting for their emancipation. It should therefore be crystal clear to those who are still in doubt of the true status of these groups, that IPOB/ESN are terrorists, masquerading as freedom fighters and do not deserve the support of anyone, particularly the good people of South-East Nigeria. (Watch Video Here)
“Much as we appreciate the concern and goodwill of the general public for her safe rescue, we also wish to note that the information on the rescue of the officer did not emanate from the NA,” he added.
Nwachukwu noted that the “Nigerian Army will leave no stone unturned in its effort to rescue the officer and bring the perpetrators to book.”
The army spokesman urged the general public to provide credible and reliable information that could lead to her safe rescue and arrest of the perpetrators. (Watch Video Here)
Chris Anyanwu, spokesman of the state’s police command, said at a news conference in Abakaliki on Sunday that the camps were located in a thick forest close to Opeke River, in Omege village, Agba Community in Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi.
Mr Anyanwu said the team also recovered assorted arms and ammunition, military uniforms and many incriminating exhibits.
“The operation was spearheaded by the Command’s Tactical teams, assisted by the military and DSS in the state.
“It was prompted by quantum pieces of reliable evidence, professionally elicited from interrogation of Nnamdi Ngwuta, aka State Commander, number three and another operative of the outlawed group, Felix Ogudu, who were earlier arrested.
“While accessing the camps, the combined teams were ambushed by the criminal elements with rains of sporadic shooting in their direction.
“Without hesitation, the allied team swiftly responded and engaged them in the same manner and of course their superior fire power subdued the miscreants.
“They chanted morale-boosting war songs, dived into the Opeke River and swarmed in different directions as they scampered for safety.
“However, a good number of them were neutralised while many escaped with bullet injuries.
“After dislodging the criminal elements and taking over the ground, the camp, which they christened “IGBO BU IGBO TRAINING SCHOOL CAMP”, was ransacked and destroyed.
“Equally, a wooden bridge under construction, intended to aid the miscreants in their coming and going, was dismantled,” he added.
Mr Anyanwu listed the recovered exhibits to include 11 bullet-proof jackets and eight sets of military camouflage uniforms.
“Two camp-gas cookers, 110 rounds of FNC live ammunition, 40 rounds of GPMG live ammunition, two PRO electronics scanners (EOD equipment), five empty canons and five single-barrel guns were also recovered among others.
The police command implored Ebonyi citizens to assist with credible and reliable information that would help to arrest the hoodlums.
Mr Anyanwu said that giving the information would help to rid the state of heinous crimes, especially during the fast approaching Christmas/New Year celebrations as well as the electioneering period.
(NAN)
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Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), yesterday, cautioned security agencies, including the Nigeria Police, Nigerian Army and others to stop framing up Nollywood actors and innocent civilians as members of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB).
The rights group also noted that the African Traditional Religion (ATR) was being criminalised and demonised by security forces in the South East, as these agencies regularly invade sacred shrines to desecrate them under the guise of pursuing suspected IPOB members.
HURIWA, in a statement by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, said: “The trend of trying to score erroneous points, by detaining and branding innocent Igbo youths, and prominent sons and daughters, as criminals is disconcerting.”
The group also bemoaned declining professional practices among members of the security forces and urged security agencies to release all Igbo youths falsely detained and languishing in cells and prisons all over the country.
HURIWA recalled that the Imo State Police Command arrested a Nollywood actor known as Hycent Azunna and branded him a member of IPOB’s Eastern Security Network (ESN), a claim that his friends nullified as untrue.
Also, last October, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the police colluded to arrest a veteran Nollywood actor, Chiwetalu Agu, over alleged promotion of Biafra and for wearing a Biafra outfit, while distributing bread and other items to the poor.
He was humiliated and spent days in detention but was later released when public outrage greeted his arrest. No charge was brought against him, as all allegations by security agents against him were false.
Similarly, a 21-year-old lady, Glory Okolie, was arrested, last year, by officers of the Intelligence Response Team in Owerri, Imo State. Okolie was arrested on June 17, 2021, the same day she was to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.
HURIWA said: “The arbitrary arrest of youths in Owerri and labelling them as IPOB members are highly disturbing.
“While we encourage clamp-down on criminals and ‘unknown gunmen’ who are distabilising the South East, we appeal for greater use of hardcore intelligence and skills to flush out mass killers and hoodlums.
“Framing up of Igbo youths as criminals is utterly nonsensical. Smacks of apartheid practices and ethnic profiling must stop.”
The police in Imo on Thursday said they have arrested seven members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate, Eastern Security Network (ESN).
According to a statement signed by police spokesperson Micheal Abattam, the suspects, in the course of interrogation, confessed to have murdered Inspector Felicia Nwagbara who was the second wife to one of the suspects – Casmire Mgbugba.
They further stated that they are the manufacturers of the locally made guns recovered from them apart from using in perpetrating crimes they sell to robbers and kidnappers.
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The police recovered several items from the suspected criminals, including a live python.
“Sequel to the receipt of credible information that, the native doctor who prepares charms for fortifications against bullets and knives for members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate, Eastern Security Network ( ESN ) and led in the attack and killing of a police officer in Agwa Community has returned after fleeing the Community,” the statement said.
“The Command’s Tactical Teams, on 18/5/2022 at about 0600 hours hastily mobilised and with the positive revelations made in course of interrogating the suspects earlier arrested in connection with the killing, the team was able to locate the criminal hideout in Ubah Agwa in Oguta LGA of Imo State and immediately cordoned area and tactical went into the den.
“The hoodlums on sighting the police operatives, attempted to escape only to discover that the whole escape routes has been saturated with police operatives hence, they were arrested. They includes, Casmire Mgbugha ‘m’ aged 53 years , Hycent Chimezie ‘m’ aged 30 years, Hycent Azunna ‘m’ aged 28 years, Hycent Ifesinachi ‘m’ aged 26 years, Hycent Chimobi ‘m’ aged 23 years, Chukwuemeka Wisdom ‘m’ aged 22 years and Nnadike Clifford ‘m’ aged 72 years and on searching the terror camp, the following items were recovered they includes ; one Toyota Camry car with registration number AKD 73 BF LAGOS, one live Python, eight locally made Pistols, eighteen rounds of live cartridges, one Biafra flag , a pair of Police Carmouflage Uniform belonging to late Inspector Felicia Nwagbara ‘f’ who has been declared missing since 2017 by police authorities
“Amazingly, while coming out of the terror camp, one of the suspects, Hycent Chimezie for the second time, attempted escaping and was maimed on the leg.”
The Police Command in Imo State on Friday successfully repelled a deadly attack by suspected members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)/ Eastern Security Network (ESN), who attacked the Mbieri Police Division.
The Police disclosed that the incident happened on Friday morning when a group of gunmen attacked the station with explosive devices.
Mr Maman Giwa, the acting Police Commissioner in Imo, disclosed this in a press statement signed by the command’s spokesman, CSP Mike Abattam.
Giwa said there was minimal damage to the police facility, while no casualty was recorded.
He said ever-ready officers repelled the bandits and forced them to retreat.
The statement read in part, “Today April 1, hoodlums suspected to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra/ Eastern Security Network, its militia wing attempted attack on Mbieri Police Station but were repelled following stiff resistance from the police operatives attached to the division.
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“The hoodlums who threw Improvised Explosive Devices into the station and shot sporadically were overwhelmed by the superior firepower of the combat-ready police operatives, forcing them to retreat in panic, escaping in their vehicles.
“For the prompt response of the gallant police operatives, only minimal damage was done to parked unserviceable vehicles and some windows due to the effect of the explosive.”
Giwa added that no life was lost or injury sustained by the operatives, and no arms/ammunition were carted away.”
He said an investigation is ongoing, and efforts are being made to arrest the fleeing hoodlums.
A Federal High Court sitting in Umuahia, Abia State is set to hear the fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
Justice Evelyn Anyadike will preside over the first hearing of the case on Friday, Kanu’s lawyer Aloy Ejimakor said in a statement.
The IPOB leader, in the suit, is seeking four declarations and orders of the court respectively, over his arrest in Kenya and extradition back to the country.
In one of the declarations, he wants the court to hold that his arrest in Kenya ‘without due process of law’ is illegal, unlawful, unconstitutional.
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Kanu also sought an order of injunction restraining and prohibiting the Federal Government from taking any further step in any criminal prosecution against him.
Read the full statement issued by the IPOB leader’s lawyer below:
RE: Nnamdi Kanu approaches Federal High Court, Umuahia to enforce his fundamental rights against unlawful expulsion
Today (25th March 2022), on behalf of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, I am leading a team of Lawyers at the first hearing of the Fundamental Rights Enforcement suit I had brought before the Umuahia Division of the Federal High Court. The matter lies before Justice Evelyn Anyadike.
The Suit is sui generis and primarily aimed at redressing the infamous unlawful expulsion or extraordinary rendition of Nnamdi Kanu, which is a clear violation of his fundamental rights under Article 12(4) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights.
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In addition to the rendition, I am asking the Court to redress the myriad violations that came with the rendition, such as the torture, the unlawful detention, and the denial of his right to the fair hearing required by law before anybody is expelled from one country to the other.
You will recall that on 19th January 2022, the High Court of Abia State determined that portion of violation of Kanu’s fundamental rights that occurred in 2017. Even as I had made claims that bordered on rendition, the Court declined jurisdiction on grounds that rendition, being related to extradition, lies within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal High Court.
So, this instant suit is as a result of my considered decision that a fresh action before the Federal High will be the best route towards addressing this matter of rendition or unlawful expulsion and its legal impacts on the prosecutorial powers of the Nigerian State.
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To be sure, the extraordinary rendition of Nnamdi Kanu triggered legal injuries that cut across multiple jurisdictions both inside Nigeria and abroad. There are now new legal and even diplomatic issues that must be addressed in the United Kingdom, Kenya, the United Nations, and the African Union. And within Nigeria, the rendition has expanded the matter far beyond the realms of the trial that lies in Abuja.
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I would like to seize this opportunity to express my profound appreciation to the highly competent and professional team of lawyers that I am leading in the aggressive prosecution of this complex suit. Special mention must be made of Barristers Patrick Agazie, Ohaeto Uwazie, and Mandela Umegborogu.
The specific reliefs I requested in this Suit are as follows:
1, A DECLARATION that the arrest of the Applicant in Kenya by the Respondents’ agents without due process of law is arbitrary, and the Respondents’ enforced disappearance of the Applicant for eight (8) days and their refusal to produce the Applicant before a Kenyan Court for the purpose of Applicant’s extradition are illegal, unlawful, unconstitutional and amount to infringement of the Applicant’s fundamental right against arbitrary arrest, to his personal liberty and to fair hearing as enshrined and guaranteed under the pertinent provisions of CFRN and the Charter.
2, A DECLARATION that the detention of the Applicant in a non-official secret facility in Kenya and the torture of the Applicant in Kenya by the Respondents’ agents is illegal, unlawful, unconstitutional and amount to infringement of the Applicant’s fundamental right against unlawful detention, torture and to a fair hearing, as enshrined and guaranteed under the pertinent provisions of CFRN and the Charter).
3, A DECLARATION that, pursuant to Article 12(4) of the Charter, the expulsion (or extraordinary rendition) of the Applicant from Kenya to Nigeria by the Respondents without a decision taken in accordance with the law of Kenya is illegal, unlawful, unconstitutional and amounts to infringement of the Applicant’s fundamental right to a fair hearing and not to be expelled from a State Party to the Charter except by virtue of a decision taken in accordance with the law, as enshrined and guaranteed under the pertinent provisions of CFRN and the Charter.
4, A DECLARATION that any criminal prosecution of the Applicant the purpose of which the Respondents unlawfully expelled the Applicant from Kenya to Nigeria is illegal, unlawful, unconstitutional, and amounts to infringement of the Applicant’s fundamental right to a fair hearing, as enshrined and guaranteed under the pertinent provisions of CFRN and the Charter.
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5, AN ORDER OF INJUNCTION restraining and prohibiting the Respondents from taking any further step in any criminal prosecution of the Applicant enabled by the said unlawful expulsion of the Applicant from Kenya to Nigeria.
6, AN ORDER mandating and compelling the Respondents to forthwith restitute or otherwise restore the Applicant to his liberty, same being his state of being as of 19th June 2021; and to thereupon repatriate the Applicant to his country of lawful domicile (to wit: the United Kingdom) to await the outcome of any formal request the Respondents may file before the competent authorities in Britain for the lawful extradition of the Applicant to Nigeria.
7, AN ORDER mandating and compelling the Respondents to issue an official Letter of Apology to the Applicant for the infringement of his fundamental rights; and publication of said Letter of Apology in three (3) national dailies.
8, AN ORDER mandating and compelling the Respondents to pay the sum of N25,000,000,000.00 (Twenty-Five Billion Naira) to the Applicant, being monetary damages claimed by the Applicant against the Respondents jointly and severally for the physical, mental, emotional, psychological, property, and other damages suffered by the Applicant as a result of the infringements of Applicant’s fundamental rights by the Respondents.
Pro-Biafra agitator, Nnamdi Kanu and his group, the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, have been criticized for enlisting a “child soldier” into the Eastern Security Network, ESN.
Uche Mefor, Kanu’s former Deputy, accused Kanu and IPOB of criminalizing the struggle for Biafra by enlisting a child soldier into ESN.
A video surfaced online of a young boy armed with AK-47 ammunition and displaying his shooting skills in a training camp believed to be ESN.
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Reacting to the trending video, Mefor accused Kanu of “going wholesale into criminality.”
In a Facebook post, the former IPOB deputy leader accused Kanu of ‘destroying all compelling cases against the Nigeria government at the International Criminal Court, ICC.
“So, it has also got to the level of enlisting “child soldier”? Is this conscription or abduction? IPOB under Nnamdi Kanu (IPONK) has completely destroyed the goodwill garnered over the years through the painstaking effort of men and women of goodwill that embraced the good news and the insurmountability and audacity of the Biafra case and argument.
“You have all destroyed the compelling case against Nigeria at the ICC. Crime against humanity and individual criminal liability are real and engage the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC). IPOB must stop criminalizing the Biafra struggle,” he said.
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