BREAKING: Biafra group makes fresh declaration, sends message to Nigerian govt

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has vehemently denied being a terrorist organization, with its spokesman, Emma Powerful, making this assertion on Saturday. The statement followed the commendation of Justice A. Onovo of Enugu High Court for annulling the proscription of the separatist group, which IPOB referred to as a “black market” proscription.

Back in 2017, Justice Abdul Kafarati had proscribed IPOB due to the group’s fervent advocacy for Biafra’s independence and the potential breakup of Nigeria. However, Justice Onovo reversed this ruling, simultaneously ordering the Southeast governors to pay N8 billion as compensation to IPOB’s leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

In response to this significant legal development, Emma Powerful expressed his concerns about the judiciary, lamenting that many judges have succumbed to intimidation and failed to uphold justice, particularly in cases involving IPOB. He emphasized that IPOB’s legal cases had exposed the fragility of Nigeria’s judiciary, which had, in turn, damaged the nation’s reputation on the international stage.

According to Powerful, “We, the global movement and family of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), ably led by the great and indefatigable liberator Mazi Nnamdi Okwuchukwu KANU commend the landmark judgement by Hon. Justice A. Onovo of Enugu State High Court on October 26, 2023, which absolved IPOB from the black market Proscription.”

The IPOB spokesman praised Justice Onovo’s unwavering commitment to justice, even in the face of attempts to intimidate the judiciary, especially in cases involving IPOB.

Powerful also lauded the legal teams representing IPOB, crediting them for their legal acumen and steadfast dedication to the cause. He described these lawyers as individuals who truly understand the law, in stark contrast to “quota system lawyers.” He noted that they had consistently defeated the Nigerian government in their own courts.

He further pointed out that the Nigerian government had been evading defending the black-market proscription order by Justice Abdul Kafarati against IPOB in the Appeal Court. Nevertheless, the recent judgment by Justice Onovo has rendered the previous proscription null and void.

Powerful underscored that this latest judgment has absolved IPOB of the unfair terrorist label that the Nigerian government had unjustly placed on the peaceful movement to justify its violent suppression. He affirmed that, in the eyes of the law and the international community, IPOB is not a terrorist organization.