Biafra: IPOB leader, Kanu in trouble

The South East Peoples Assembly (SEPA) has asked the Federal High Court, in Abuja, to rescind the bail granted to Nnadi Kanu, the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a pro-secession group.

The call came following the recent activities of which include organising a sit-at -home after he obtained a court bail.

SEPA regards the successful sit-at-home organised on Tuesday in South East by IPOB in collaboration with other groups as a breach of the bail conditions granted to the leader of IPOB, Kanu, who has been facing trial for treason and terrorism, being a major sponsor for the secession of South East from Nigeria on the platform of IPOB.

Kanu was arrested in Lagos on October 15, 2015 and eventually granted bail by Federal High Court, Abuja in May this year on health grounds with some strict conditions.

The Justice, Binta Nyako, who said she was convinced that Kanu was ill and needed more medical attention than the Nigerian Prisons was giving him, ordered that while on bail, he must not hold any rallies, grant any interviews or be in a crowd of more than 10 people.

Other bail conditions include three sureties in the sum of N100 million each.

Nyako, who adjourned the matter till July 11 and 12, for definite commencement of trial, also ordered that Kanu must deposit both his Nigerian and British passports with the court and that a report on the progress of his health must be made available to her on a monthly basis

SEPA, however, has accused Kanu of infringing on the bail conditions.

In a letter to the Chief Judge of the High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta, the President of SEPA, Prince Chukwuemeka Okoriein, as the court, as a matter of urgency, to revoke Kanu’s bail.

He said that Kanu has continued to conduct himself in a manner that was totally at variance with terms and conditions of his bail, to include holding rallies, grant of interviews or be in a crowd of more than 10 people.

“Obviously, the recklessness with which he made media statements and even organised the ‘Sit at Home and Stay Indoor’ protest to mark the so called BIAFRA HEROS DAY on Tuesday, 30th May, 2017 is a threat to the unity, security and peace of Nigeria as a sovereign nation.

“We have no iota of doubt that he is trying to push our dear country Nigeria into an unnecessary precarious situation for his personal agenda and those of his paymasters.

“Sir, our decision to write this demand letter to your good office at this time is to forestall another civil unrest in Nigeria, particularly around the Igbo speaking region.

“As you well know, the struggle by Kanu to be relevant under the guise of actualisation of Biafra does not enjoy the support of right thinking Igbo people both at home and in diaspora.

“That he suddenly addresses himself as the Supreme Leader of Biafra points to how arrogant and disrespectful he is to legitimately constituted authority in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“The pertinent question on our minds as stakeholders is: Has Kanu been consistent in providing the court with reports on the progress of his health and treatment on a monthly basis since he was granted bail?

“We fear that if Kanu is not tamed by Your Lordship as a matter of urgency, the IPOB may create a situation where it becomes difficult if not impossible for genuine development to take place in the South East under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.”

“History has taught us that the Civil War of 1967-1970 started gradually and later turned out to be something that caused our people unimaginable losses.

“We cannot afford to fold our arms this time and allow a stooge imported from the United Kingdom by stark enemies of Nigeria to maintain a state of belligerence against the nation and keep the name of Igbo people in the news for the wrong reasons.”