Leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, has been declared missing by his team of lawyers.
The legal team led by Mr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor, said it had therefore, on Wednesday filed a suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja praying for an order directing the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, to produce Kanu in court.
Ejiofor disclosed this in a text message sent to a PUNCH News correspondent on Wednesday.
“We just filed an application for prerogative order of habeas corpus commanding the Chief of Army Staff to produce Nnamdi Kanu in court,” the text message read.
A draft copy of the motion which Ejiofor stated was filed on Wednesday stated that the Chief of Army Staff, was in the best position to produce Kanu in court.
This, the suit stated was because, Kanu was last seen after soldiers, on September 14, invaded the IPOB leaders house in Afara-ukwu Ibeku, Umuahia Abia State, “on a murderous raid, where life and mortar bullets were fired on unarmed and defenseless populace, leaving 28 persons dead and abducting many.”
BACKGROUND
Mr. Kanu, who is currently facing trial for alleged treason, was last seen after the clash at his community in Abia State.
Although Mr. Kanu’s trial is still ongoing, he was granted bail in April on health grounds, with 12 main conditions, most of which the Nigerian government has accused him of flouting. The trial is expected to continue on October 17.
On September 14, after the clash between IPOB and soldiers, Mr. Ejiofor states an invasion of his client’s home by officers of the Nigerian Army.
“The situation is serious. My client’s whereabouts has remained unknown. His entire house has been shattered with bullets and missiles,” Mr. Ejiofor had told PREMIUM TIMES.
None of Nigeria’s security operatives have confirmed knowledge of Mr. Kanu’s location or whereabouts since September 14. The Nigeria Police has said it is not aware of any arrest of the IPOB leader by security operatives.
The spokesperson for the Abia State Police Command, Geoffrey Ogbonna, on Tuesday evening said he is not aware if Mr. Kanu has been arrested by security operatives. ”I have no idea about any arrest of Nnamdi Kanu by any security operatives,” Mr. Ogbonna said in a telephone conversation with PREMIUM TIMES.
The Army also refused to comment on whether it is holding the IPOB leader in its custody.
Army spokesperson, Sani Usman, refused to answer calls put through to his line by the reporter.
Similarly, calls and text messages forwarded to the Deputy Director, Public Relations, 82 Division of the Army, Sagir Musa, were neither picked nor responded to.
When contacted, Defence spokesperson, John Enenche, a major general, said ”the military does not comment on security issues via phone calls.”
In a telephone interview with PREMIUM TIMES on Tuesday, Mr. Kanu’s younger brother, Emanuel confirmed the allegations of Mr Nnamdi Kanu's team of lawyers.
“I can tell you that ever since that invasion, we have not seen my brother. What happened is that the army came to my house, ‘killed many’ and took away all the others that were alive. If Nnamdi Kanu is alive, they should tell us and quietly hand him over to the police, let them produce him.” said his younger brother.
The Nigerian government recently secured a court order to declare IPOB a terrorist organisation.
According to the Africa Independent Television, AIT, the proscription of IPOB was gazetted by the Nigerian government on Thursday.
The labelling of IPOB, which seeks an independent country of Biafra for ethnic Igbos and other minority tribes, as a terrorist organisation has elicited mixed reactions among Nigerians, with many well-meaning Nigerians strongly and roundly condemning the government action.
A prime example is the well-known human rights activist Chief Mike Ozekhome who roundly condemned the Federal Government's actions, citing very objective and dispassionate examples. Read this here: Ozekhome rejects classification of IPOB as terrorist organization .
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| Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, Leader of IPOB |
Ejiofor disclosed this in a text message sent to a PUNCH News correspondent on Wednesday.
“We just filed an application for prerogative order of habeas corpus commanding the Chief of Army Staff to produce Nnamdi Kanu in court,” the text message read.
A draft copy of the motion which Ejiofor stated was filed on Wednesday stated that the Chief of Army Staff, was in the best position to produce Kanu in court.
This, the suit stated was because, Kanu was last seen after soldiers, on September 14, invaded the IPOB leaders house in Afara-ukwu Ibeku, Umuahia Abia State, “on a murderous raid, where life and mortar bullets were fired on unarmed and defenseless populace, leaving 28 persons dead and abducting many.”
BACKGROUND
Mr. Kanu, who is currently facing trial for alleged treason, was last seen after the clash at his community in Abia State.
Although Mr. Kanu’s trial is still ongoing, he was granted bail in April on health grounds, with 12 main conditions, most of which the Nigerian government has accused him of flouting. The trial is expected to continue on October 17.
On September 14, after the clash between IPOB and soldiers, Mr. Ejiofor states an invasion of his client’s home by officers of the Nigerian Army.
“The situation is serious. My client’s whereabouts has remained unknown. His entire house has been shattered with bullets and missiles,” Mr. Ejiofor had told PREMIUM TIMES.
None of Nigeria’s security operatives have confirmed knowledge of Mr. Kanu’s location or whereabouts since September 14. The Nigeria Police has said it is not aware of any arrest of the IPOB leader by security operatives.
The spokesperson for the Abia State Police Command, Geoffrey Ogbonna, on Tuesday evening said he is not aware if Mr. Kanu has been arrested by security operatives. ”I have no idea about any arrest of Nnamdi Kanu by any security operatives,” Mr. Ogbonna said in a telephone conversation with PREMIUM TIMES.
The Army also refused to comment on whether it is holding the IPOB leader in its custody.
Army spokesperson, Sani Usman, refused to answer calls put through to his line by the reporter.
Similarly, calls and text messages forwarded to the Deputy Director, Public Relations, 82 Division of the Army, Sagir Musa, were neither picked nor responded to.
When contacted, Defence spokesperson, John Enenche, a major general, said ”the military does not comment on security issues via phone calls.”
In a telephone interview with PREMIUM TIMES on Tuesday, Mr. Kanu’s younger brother, Emanuel confirmed the allegations of Mr Nnamdi Kanu's team of lawyers.
“I can tell you that ever since that invasion, we have not seen my brother. What happened is that the army came to my house, ‘killed many’ and took away all the others that were alive. If Nnamdi Kanu is alive, they should tell us and quietly hand him over to the police, let them produce him.” said his younger brother.
The Nigerian government recently secured a court order to declare IPOB a terrorist organisation.
According to the Africa Independent Television, AIT, the proscription of IPOB was gazetted by the Nigerian government on Thursday.
The labelling of IPOB, which seeks an independent country of Biafra for ethnic Igbos and other minority tribes, as a terrorist organisation has elicited mixed reactions among Nigerians, with many well-meaning Nigerians strongly and roundly condemning the government action.
A prime example is the well-known human rights activist Chief Mike Ozekhome who roundly condemned the Federal Government's actions, citing very objective and dispassionate examples. Read this here: Ozekhome rejects classification of IPOB as terrorist organization .
I really pray this courageous man is still alive? My only question is: why didn't Buhari die in London?
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