IPOB vows to defy FG as Kanu’s trial resumes tomorrow
Ahead of tomorrow’s court appearance by the detained leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPoB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the self-determination group, has vowed to attend the trial at the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The organisation said its members and other similar bodies would shut down the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, in solidarity with Kanu.
This followed a warning that IPoB members shouldn’t be seen at the premises during the trial tomorrow.
The Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, Abubakar Malami, had, in a statement, warned members of IPoB to stay away from the court sitting. He also pointed out that Kanu’s lawyers would be allowed around the court premises on the trial day. It was added that branded IPoB T-shirts or caps would not be allowed.
Kanu, who was reportedly re-arrested on June 29 in Kenya, was also arraigned at the Federal High Court Abuja the same day.
He was ordered to be remanded in the custody of the Department of State Security, DSS, while the case was adjourned till July 26.
Kanu faces an 11-count charge of treason, treasonable felony, terrorism and illegal possession of firearms, but Sunday Vanguard learned that fresh charges may be filed against him when the trial resumes.
However, in defiance of the warning against appearing in court, spokesman for IPoB, Mr. Emma Powerful, in an exclusive chat with Sunday Vanguard said members of the secessionist group have every right to be in court tomorrow.
Right
He added that IPoB members would be peaceful and orderly when they converge on Abuja.
His words: “Yes, it is confirmed by our legal counsel, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, that the court will sit on 26th of July, 2021. The federal government of Nigeria has no right to stop IPOB or Biafrans from coming to Abuja to witness the court proceedings or to show solidarity to our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Nigeria government cannot beat a child and force him or her not to cry. IPOB has every right to be in court on that day.
“Anybody who doesn’t want to go to court is free to do so but Mallami and Federal Government of Nigeria have no powers or rights to stop anybody from going to Abuja. One thing they forget is that it’s not about Nnamdi Kanu, it’s about Biafra. The issue of Biafra agitation has since gone beyond Nnamdi Kanu. It’s now an unstoppable mass movement.
Afraid
“The truth is that not just IPOB members but thousands of Biafrans and their sympathizers will flood Abuja on Monday to show solidarity to our leader, Nnamdi Kanu. He is only a freedom fighter and Nigeria cannot stop people from identifying with him.
“So, if they want to shoot or kill people they should prepare very well because they will have enough to kill or arrest. We are not afraid and can’t be afraid at this point of our journey when our freedom is at the threshold. We can’t abandon our leader. The only thing is that we shall be very civil, organized and peaceful but we can’t be cowed. The world will see how they kill innocent citizens that day in Abuja.
Malami
“The kind of support to be expected from IPOB is moral support. The world will see that Nnamdi Kanu is not alone in the struggle for Biafra autonomy. Kanu is representing and fighting for the oppressed indigenous nationalities in Nigeria. Apart from Biafrans, our Oduduwa and Middle Belt brothers and sisters including the good and oppressed people of Southern Kaduna shall be on the ground to show solidarity to our leader. Abuja shall be locked down on Monday because lovers of freedom from across the country shall be on the ground to encourage the icon of freedom, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
“The threat by the federal government that people should not come to the court cannot work. Mallami speaks like one who does not know the law that guides human rights and the rule of law. Vanguard
