The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) yesterday described the move by the Federal Government to re-arrest its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, as dangerous path of intimidation, which smacks of state sponsored terrorism designed to silence free speech and infringe on rights to peaceful assembly.
IPOB noted that before the Federal Government makes, a move to re-arrest its leader, it must first go to court to obtain a court order or else it would be resisted by millions of IPOB members. The IPOB Media and Publicity Secretary, Mr. Emma Powerful, while reacting to calls to re-arrest Kanu for allegedly violating bail conditions, said they must also approach the courts to grant their prayers and not try to subvert the legal process by instituting arrest without the permission of the court.
“We wish to place the whole world on notice regarding the illegal and wholesome undemocratic moves by government to re-arrest our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who committed no crime known to the laws of the Nigerian state. This dangerous path of intimidation smacks of state sponsored terrorism designed to silence free speech and infringe on our rights to peaceful assembly.
“Merely asserting that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is a threat to the Nigerian government is not a crime unless accompanied by legally definable crime or offence. The Buhari-led administration must know that threats and more threats heaped upon intimidation after intimidation do not wash with IPOB. Before Buhari decides to make a move to arrest our leader, he must first go to court to obtain a court order or else it will be resisted by millions of IPOB members”.
He explained that the group was well aware that government would make this sort of move, hence it made adequate preparations.
“As soon as the illegal, unconstitutionally draconian conditions of the bail were spelt out by Justice Binta Nyako we knew such a day would come when they will use the cover of broken bail condition to launch an attack. “Federal Government must do exactly what IPOB did, after all, the matter is before a court of competent jurisdiction. When IPOB complained about the inhumane bail conditions, we were advised to approach the court for variation. Now that the almighty Arewa North is uncomfortable with the conduct of our leader in respect of the same bail conditions, they must also approach the courts to grant their prayers and not try to subvert the legal process by instituting arrest without the permission of the court.
Whatever issue the government has with our leader must first be presented before Justice Binta Nyako’s court for determination.
“Nnamdi Kanu is spiritually and mentally prepared for this epic battle. He is not afraid of being locked up without trial as long as his personal physician will be allowed to visit and attend to his medical needs. In dictatorial and totalitarian regimes such as we have under this APC government, outspoken critics are often imprisoned without trial, so this undemocratic and illegal approach to resolving the thorny issue of Biafra self-determination championed by IPOB is to be expected,” he said.
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