The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) have vehemently rejected a call for amnesty from the President of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanu.
In a fiery press release by its spokesperson, Emmanuel Powerful, on Friday, IPOB asserts that its members are not criminals seeking clemency, but freedom fighters demanding a referendum for Biafra’s self-determination.
The group categorically disagrees with Iwuanyanu’s request for amnesty, declaring it “baseless and misguided.” The group stressed that IPOB members are engaged in a legitimate struggle for self-determination, not a criminal enterprise. They claim to have never waged war against the Nigerian government despite provocations.
“We totally disagree with Chief Iwanyanwu on his call of a baseless amnesty because IPOB members are not criminals,” the statement read. “We are a self-determination agitation group. We have not waged war against the federal government of Nigeria irrespective of all their provocations. We are not fighting to control our vast resources. We are unarmed freedom fighters for the sovereignty and Independence of the people of Biafra to save our lives. We are not going to allow anyone to cajole, intimidate, or divert IPOB’s attention from these basic human rights. We don’t need Amnesty. We need freedom!”
IPOB reiterates their central demands: the immediate release of their leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and the organization of a United Nations-supervised referendum for the people of Biafra. They view Kanu’s release as non-negotiable, given his recent acquittal by the Appeal Court and subsequent barred prosecution by the Supreme Court.
“ Our requests are simple; release our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who was illegally abducted in #Kenya and renditioned to Nigeria, then schedule a referendum date for the people of Biafra to decide their fate either to stay in Nigeria or exit Nigeria,” it added.
The press release criticizes Iwuanyanu’s suggestion of amnesty as an insult to IPOB’s principles and sacrifices. They condemn it as a potential attempt to “cajole, intimidate, or divert IPOB’s attention” from their pursuit of Biafra’s independence.
It read, “Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu should focus his efforts on the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and never suggest a false narrative of Amnesty for IPOB members. The self-determination that IPOB is embarking on is not a crime. It is an ideology backed by both local and international laws.
IPOB members are responsible men and women who are doing well in their various endeavours around the world. For Chief Iwanyanwu to speak about amnesty for IPOB members is an insult to the movement.
Anyone suggesting amnesty is provoking the IPOB family and may not have it easy with us.”
Furthermore, IPOB warns that suggesting amnesty “may not have it easy with us,” hinting at potential consequences for those promoting such ideas. They remind everyone that their struggle is driven by the pain of lost lives, wounded members, and ongoing injustices faced by Biafrans.
The statement concludes with a resolute declaration: “Biafra is what we want and Biafra we must get.” IPOB lays the responsibility for future consequences squarely on the Nigerian government if it fails to grant their referendum demand.
LEADERSHIP reports that the eagerly anticipated judgement concerning the release of Kanu, the detained leader of the IPOB, will be delivered today, December 15th, by the Supreme Court.
The decision follows an appeal seeking to compel the Federal Government to release Kanu from detention, with a five-member panel led by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun presiding over the case. The panel set the date in October after the respective counsels for the Federal Government and Kanu adopted their final briefs of argument.
Representing Kanu, Mike Ozehkome emphasized his plea for the immediate release of his client and urged the court to impose substantial punitive costs on the Federal Government.
Conversely, the Federal Government’s counsel, Tijani Gazzali, urged the apex court to uphold the amended brief of argument filed in May 2023. Gazzali sought the court’s approval to set aside the Court of Appeal’s judgment that ordered Kanu’s release and advocated for the resumption of Kanu’s trial on terrorism-related charges in the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The Court of Appeal Abuja had previously ruled on October 13, 2022, ordering Kanu’s release, citing his abduction, ill-treatment, and illegal transfer from Kenya to Nigeria to face charges. However, despite the court’s ruling, Kanu remains in custody as Nigerian prosecutors have appealed the decision.
Nnamdi Kanu, in his mid-50s, originally faced arrest in 2015, subsequently jumping bail two years later before re-emerging in the UK and Israel. The Nigerian government has previously proscribed IPOB as a terrorist organization, accusing it of exacerbating ethnic tensions by alleging genocide against the Igbo community.
