The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, on Thursday rejected further trial of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, over his agitation for the actualization of Biafra.
IPOB’s spokesman, Emma Powerful, said the group stands by the Appeal Court’s judgment that discharged and acquitted Kanu of all terrorism charges.
Powerful was reacting to the Federal High Court in Abuja’s adjournment of Kanu’s trial scheduled to hold on Thursday, February 8, 2024.
A statement by Powerful reads: “The global family and movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ably led by the great and indefatigable leader Mazi Nnamdi Okwuchukwu Kanu reject further court trial of our leader in the Nigeria Court system.
“We stand by the judgment of the Appeal Court, which ordered that Kanu should not be tried again in any Nigerian court. The Supreme Court Judges agreed with them but lacked the courage and integrity to uphold the Appeal Court judgment.
“The public should recall that the Supreme Court Justices on December 15, 2023, sent the case of Kanu back to the High Court in what was referred to as a compromised judgment. The same High Court fixed February 8, 2024, to commence hearing on the unknown matter.
“Sadly, the same Federal government that is persecuting Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is refusing to make an appearance at the same Abuja High Court hearing on the 8th of February, 2024.
“The refusal of the Federal Government to appear in court on that day for continuation of their kangaroo trial shows that they do not have a case against Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. The wicked and corrupt Supreme Court Justices were part of the oppressors and persecutors of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. IPOB leadership has reviewed the actions of Nigerian government and totally reject further trial of our leader in their High Court.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria, headed by President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, knew why his Attorney General has scrubbed the commencement of their appearance for the botched February 8 Abuja High Court trial against Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. They know very well that they have no case against him. They are just utilizing the weak and bastardized instrumentality of the law in Nigeria to detain and persecute him indefinitely.
“The IPOB family worldwide, therefore, rejects further court trial of our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and demand for his immediate and unconditional release as well as the release of all other innocent IPOB members in various detention facilities across Nigeria.
“No amount of illegal abduction, detention, extrajudicial murder and forceful disappearance will stop the quest for Biafra independence and the call for a referendum. IPOB has come to restore Biafra, and it is either Biafra or Biafra. That is our oath of allegiance to the Biafra Nation and our oath of honour to all those who have fallen in the course of our match to freedom.”
