Central and North African Region IPOB Media - CNAR.

15/10/2022

Onitsha Nigeria: Friday, October 14, 2022

Kanu: Malami Is Pushing Nigeria Into International Abyss Of Mockery And Charlatanism

…Intersociety

The Attorney General of the Federation and Justice Minister, Abubakar Malami, SAN is gravely pushing Nigeria into regional and international abyss of mockery and charlatanism with far-reaching consequences on the country’s socio-economic development, regional and international human rights, rule of law and democracy ratings and trade and investment policies including foreign direct investments (FDI).

Intersociety hereby strongly condemns Nigerian Government’s total disregard and disobedience to the landmark judgment of the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal quashing the entire criminal trial of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, a frontline Self Determination Agitator and Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra. The Nigerian Government disregard and disobedience to the unanimous verdict of the three Justices of the Court of Appeal was expressly contained in a press release from the Office of Attorney General of the Federation. The arrogation of the ‘interpretative power” by the Attorney General including “what to obey and what not to obey” in the landmark judgment is also tyrannical, vexatious and democratically calamitous.

It must be clearly and strongly stated that the only option available to Nigeria’s Attorney General as the Law Officer of Nigeria is to fully consent to the landmark judgment or go on appeal within the stipulated timeframe. Consenting or not consenting to the landmark judgment is however immaterial to the order of the three Justices-led Court of Appeal: RELEASE NNAMDI KANU from protracted DSS dungeon!!! Should the Nigerian Government decides to head to the Supreme Court in exercise of its right under the country’s body of laws, then Nnamdi Kanu must first of all be set free-with the worst case scenario being to place him in civil liberties-compliant movement surveillance if in the sincere opinion of the Nigerian State, granting him total freedom of movement, expression and association will be injurious to the pendency of the apex appeal (if any) and its final determination.

It is the informed and lettered understanding of Intersociety that the grand summary of the landmark judgment of the Court of Appeal is that “something can never come from nothing”. Once it is judicially established that a trial Court has erred in law by assuming jurisdiction in a case where its jurisdiction ought not to have been assumed, all the efforts of the Court become a nullity. Intersociety has severally cautioned the present Federal Government against its indiscriminate resort to short-cuts, jungle justice and prosecutorial vindictiveness and had also reminded the Government that “a criminal is not a criminal until he or she is diligently and procedurally processed and subjected to unbiased suspicion, investigation, lawful arrest and detention; fair trial and fair hearing and sentencing and conviction”.

But in the contrary under present Federal Government, impunity and lawlessness fueled by ethnic profiling and hatred such as in the instant case, have reigned and continued to reign supreme with utter alacrity; to the extent of being its Criminal Justice policy direction. The three-man Appellate Panel have in the instant case correctly and fundamentally faulted the process (unlawful rendition or extradition) initiated by Nigerian Government upon which its preferring criminal charges against Nnamdi Kanu and his subsequent snail pace prosecution was relied upon. It is also surprising that the Attorney General has chosen to arbitrarily disobey the landmark judgment even when the same Federal Government was duly part of the entire Court processthe including being THE ACCUSING AUTHORITY.

Therefore, with the latest landmark judgment, the role of the trial Court of the first instance (Justice Binta Nyako-led Abuja Federal High Court) is permanently put on hold pending the determination of the Apex appeal at the Supreme Court (if any). The AGF is constitutionally mandated by Section 287 (2) of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution to comply and enforce the landmark judgment to the letter and he must not act like an outlaw.

Signed: Forprocess International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety)

13/10/2022

Barr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor and his colleagues in the court.

13/10/2022

Breaking News........
The court of Apeal accepted that was abduction of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from Kenya is an international crime.

13/10/2022

IPOB PRESS RELEASE
13/10/2022

IPOB CONDOLES WITH ANAMBRA FLOOD AND BOATS MISHAPS VICTIMS.

We the global family and movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) under the leadership and command of Mazi Nnamdi Okwuchukwu KANU commiserate with the families and people of Ogbaru LGA, Anambra West, and East LGAs in Anambra State for the loss of Lives and properties in the recent flooding that swept over their Communities.

The information we gathered showed that about 81 people lost their lives as the flood from River Niger swept through some communities in Anambra State.
We sympathize with many affected families who lost their loved ones, houses, and properties including those who were forced to relocate from their homes due to the flood. May Almighty Chukwu Okike Abiama give you strength and courage to forge ahead. IPOB is in solidarity with the affected families.

We wonder why the Federal Government and her Angencies like Disaster Management Agency has not done anything in helping the victims. If this were to be in the North, all the Angencies would have used National Treasury to support them.

We are calling on Anambra State Government, Nigeria Government, and International Ecological Intervention Bodies to intervene and rescue our people in Ogbaru LGA, Anambra West, and East LGAs of Anambra State by finding a permanent solution to this yearly flooding menace.

Ogbaru LGA and other Communities at the banks of River Niger must know that whenever Biafra comes they will never expirence this kind of calamity, because Biafra Engineers will ensure that there is sensible urban planning and enough Sea defense to stop any sort of flood from River Niger to overflow to the sorrunding Communities.

We understand that the Government of Nigeria is not concerned about any Ecological interventions nor environmental protection in Biafra Land. These and many more are the injustices that Biafra Nation will address when the time comes.

COMRADE EMMA POWERFUL, MEDIA AND PUBLICITY SECRETARY FOR IPOB.

13/10/2022

Nigerian Singer, Teni Stirs Controversy For Refusing To Greet, and Shake President Buhari During National Awards

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday conferred the National Honours Award on 447 persons at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

Mixed reactions have trailed Nigeria’s popular afrobeat singer, Teni Apata, for neither shaking nor greeting President Muhammadu Buhari while receiving a national award.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday conferred the National Honours Award on 447 persons at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

According to the National Honours Award Investiture 2022 Programme, 450 recipients were awarded, making the total number of Nigeria’s national honours awardees 5,341 since 1963.
Of the 450 recipients, six were awarded Grand Commanders of the Order of the Niger (GCON), 55 Commanders of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR), 74 Members of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR), 77 Officers of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR). Others are 110 Officers of the Order of the Niger (OON), 55 Members of the Order of the Niger (MON), 65 Commanders of the Order of the Niger (CON), Four Federal Republic Medal- First Class (FRM I) and Four Federal Republic Medal- Second Class FRM II.
the
During the award ceremony, Teni was seen to be the only recipient who failed to greet or shake the President when collecting her award.

Her action generated a lot of controversies among Nigerian netizens who either viewed Teni’s conduct as a total disrespect to the office of the presidency or as commendable to the spirit of activism.

A user, Okezie Atami, wrote, “Shame On You, Teni..Or Whatever They Call YOU! YOU Are A Disgrace To All Well-Trained Nigerians! You DISGRACED yourself and not the office of the President, YOU danced to the tune of our youths who lack manners. Shame On You!”

According to Prettyyetty, Teni has not contributed anything to national growth and development to warrant her nomination for a national award and this was why she displayed no respect for the president of the country.

“I won't even blame her. It's those that include her name in the list that is at fault. What has she contributed to the entertainment industry when we have Dbang and many others.” he wrote.
“She doesn’t deserve it they should withdraw if possible, human character matters a lot.

This is minus to her she will leave to regret it,” another user, Vadeboje added.

Meanwhile, some people commended the manner in which Teni received the award.

For instance, a user, FS Yusuf said, “People are not worried that a failed Minister of Education is getting a national award, they are worried that Paystack Ezra Olubi “didn’t dress to impress their daddy” and Teni didn’t dobalè for emperor Buhari. I don taya for una. I swear.”

“Teni did what most of your so-called celebrities had no guts to do. Nigerian youths have constantly received disrespect and abuse from the Nigerian government. What do APC blind bats mean that she disrespected the President, I thought they say Respect is reciprocal?” another user, Duke of Africa wrote.

Another user, Amanda Kayode said that President Buhari deserves no respect from Nigerians considering how his government has made life so terrible for his citizens for the past seven years he assumed office.

https://saharareporters.com/2022/10/12/nigerian-singer-teni-stirs-controversy-refusing-greet-shake-president-buhari-during?fbclid=IwAR0q0SWQ2Pi1u8TSwAJ5fYp9gEQsrgFsONjkY_7W_QahWkGY1cEC-lAmMs4

Mixed reactions have trailed Nigeria’s popular afrobeat singer, Teni Apata, for neither shaking nor greeting President Muhammadu Buhari while receiving a national award. President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday conferred the National Honours Award on 447 persons at the International Conference Centre...

12/10/2022

BREAKING NEWS

UPDATE ON ONYENDU’S COURT OF APPEAL CASE.

We wish to inform Umuchineke and all followers of Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, that we just received NOTIFICATION from the Court of Appeal Abuja Judicial Division, that the long awaited Judgment in Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s Appeal No: CA/ABJ/CR/625/2022 BETWEEN: MAZI NNAMDI KANU VS. FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, will be delivered tomorrow, the 13th Day of October, 2022, at 2:00PM.

We are very excited with this news as we look forward to a victorious outing tomorrow.

ChukwuOkike Abiama is on the throne and shall forever be on the throne.

The hour has come!

Please do not relent in your prayers as they are positively impacting . We will surely have every cause to rejoice for Victory is ours and it shall surely end in praises.

Thank you all, UMUCHINEKE and remain blessed and law abiding as you have always been.

Signed :

Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, Esq. (KSC)
IPOB’s Lead Counsel
12th October, 2022

12/10/2022

Buhari under fire over alleged secret release of 100 Boko Haram terrorists

President Muhammadu Buhari has come under fire over the alleged release of about 100 Boko Haram terrorists.

The terrorists, according to a viral report, were released in exchange for the freedom of the kidnapped Abuja-Kaduna train travellers.

The Nigerian Correctional Service, NCS, has yet to debunk the report confirmed, especially by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism.

To add to this, the President, at the passing out parade and commissioning ceremony of cadets of Course 69 of the Nigerian Defence Academy, confirmed that his government had granted amnesty to terrorists.

Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has frowned at the development and slammed Buhari, accusing him of a lack of transparency in dealing with top security matters.

Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, the national coordinator of HURIWA, in a statement on Monday, said the President’s action shows the alleged complicity of the current administration.

The group called on the Buhari government to, without further delay, explain to Nigerians how the over 100 terrorists were set free from the Kirikiri prison, having been reportedly held since 2009 without trial.

HURIWA said, “Nigerians are shocked at the latest antics of the regime of President Muhammadu in the reported release of over 100 Boko Haram terrorists from the Kirikiri prison shows the total absence of transparency and accountability in the fight on terror.

“The secrecy behind the intermittent releases of terrorists under different guises by the current government is abysmal and anti-people and illegal.

“The recent release of Boko Haram convicted terrorists at Lagos prison validates claims by a former Navy Commodore, Kunle Olawunmi, who said on live television in August 2021 that Boko Haram has moneybags in A*o Rock and the National Assembly. In September 2020, a former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, the late Obadiah Mailafia, also said a serving northern governor was a Boko Haram leader.”

President Muhammadu Buhari has come under fire over the alleged release of about 100 Boko Haram terrorists. The terrorists, according to a viral report,

12/10/2022

Self-determination is not a crime

12/10/2022

Barr Ejimakor Approaches Appeal Court To Join Kanu As Party In IPOB Proscription Suit

The special counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra, Barr Aloy Ejimakor, will today, at the Appeal Court in Abuja, seek the joining of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu as a named party in the appeal against the proscription of IPOB.

Kanu is the leader of IPOB. IPOB is proscribed in Nigeria, and the proscription is being challenged in court for not giving concerned parties fair hearing.

Ejimakor stated this in a message via his Twitter handle. According to him, “Today, I will lead a team of lawyers to the Court of Appeal, Abuja, to make a case for to be joined as a named party in the appeal against the proscription of IPOB.

“I will also be in tag-team with SAN Machukwu-Ume who is leading in the mother case against the proscription.

08/10/2022

IPOB PRESS RELEASE
08/10/2022

IPOB HAS NO BUSINESS WITH NIGERIA ELECTION AND THEIR CAMPAIGN.

We the global movement and family of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) led and commanded by Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is very much aware that the Nigeria Government is both directly and indirectly sponsoring election violence in Biafra land with the intention to blackmail the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Internationally as anti democratic process.

The IPOB leadership has for umpteenth time stated unequivocally that part of our modus operandi in our agitation for freedom has never been, is not and will not be violent agitation. This explains our consistent demand for the UN to organise a Referendum in the Biafran territory for the Biafran people to determine their destiny. To this effect, IPOB is neither contemplating nor will it encouraged or sponsor anyone or group to disrupt the Zoo Nigeria shambolic selection process called election. IPOB has constantly made it public that we have no interest in and cannot legitimise the aberation they call election in Nigeria. We are a focused, determined and disciplined freedom fighting movement not polititcal thugs and IPOB is devoted to the cause of liberating our people for subjugation and from modern day slavery and Neo-colonialism and will not allow ourselves to be distracted from this very objective.

The world must hold to account the Nigeria Government and the criminals it is covertly recruiting and positioning in the South East to create an environment of violence and after causing the violence, will use the Zoo shameless and fantastically compromised ans corrupt Media to blame IPOB for the election violence that they themselves instigated and executed during campaigns and their shambolic elections. IPOB is not part of Zoological Republic sham election and will never be part of them. IPOB is solely focusd on Biafra Independence struggle which Nigeria Government and her Allies are working very hard to try and derail with their daily propaganda and blackmail against Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB members worldwide. They will always fail because the restoration Biafra as Free Sovereign and Independent Nation is Divinely ordained and its time is now.

Our demands are simple:

1. Release the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra Mazi Nnamdi Okwuchukwu Kanu unconditionally.

2. Fix a Referendum date for Biafrans to decide their fate either for FREEDOM in a Sovereign Biafran Nation or for Permanent subjugation and oppression in the Fulani controlled Islamic republic of Nigeria.

As we have said in our previous press releases, Nigeria Government and her compromised Security Agencies are responsible for most criminalities going-on in Biafraland and some other parts of Nigeria. This very fact has been confirmed by Nigeria Army officers in their letter to the Buhari the impostor in A*o Rock while protesting poor welfare, low morale, corruption in the Army as an institution and lack of adequate working tools to the effect that some of their men are involved in kidnapping and other sundry crimes for survival. What a shame, this is the smoking gun that has hitherto been missing. So when they will recruit these criminals in uniform and their civilian partners or JTF's to cause violence in Biafraland during and after campaigns and selection, the International community should know who to hold responsible and that will be the Nigerian government.

The current political atmosphere in the Nigeria election campaigns shows that the oppressed and disgruntled Youths are on one side while the old who are comfortable with their oppressors are on the other side. You don't need any prophet to tell you that this election may end up like 2020 that brought the youths to the streets in protest across Nigeria. Recollect that the mass protest led by the youths was infiltrated and hijacked by violent thugs on the pay roll and at the behest of the Nigerian government and blamed on IPOB. Nigerian government is warming up to do same again during this their selection process.

If Nigeria Government keep playing ostrich this time around what happened in Nigeria in October 2020 might be a child's play to what will happen this time.

IPOB is not interested and will never involve ourselves in any Nigeria fraudulent preelection or postelection issues. Our job is to open the eyes of the blinds by the gospel of truth which our leader has delivered already.

Whoever, that is sponsoring any group or gang tagging them IPOB is on his/her own.

For those who are hard of hearing, IPOB is ONE INDIVISIBLE FAMILY under one Central Command and leadership of Mazi Nnamdi Okwuchukwu Kanu. This devine movement is being piloted by the Only Structure which Mazi Nnamdi Kanu put in place and that Structure is the Directorate of State of the Indigenous People of Biafra (DOS) with Mazi Chika Edoziem as the Head of the DOS. Anyone who choses to play foolish and act dumb is fully in his/her right to do so but IPOB cannot answer for their foolishness neither shall IPOB be responsible for their stupidity. If in the future IPOB Leadership decides to make further statement on the upcoming Nigeria selection process called election, we shall make such statement through our official channels which are (1) Announcement on our hallowed radio station Radio Biafra or (2) Press Statement from IPOB Publicity Secretary. Any other information claiming to emanate from IPOB but not issued through the above two channels is not only deceitful but fraudulent and does not represent the position of the Indigenous People of Biafra led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

COMRADE EMMA POWERFUL MEDIA AND PUBLICITY SECRETARY FOR IPOB

07/10/2022

Rights Violation: Release Nnamdi Kanu Now Before It's Too Late - NCF advises Government

The Nigeria Consultative Forum, NCF has advised President Muhammadu Buhari not to wait till the expiration of the six months deadline given by the United Nations Human Rights Council on Arbitrary and illegal Detention before releasing the incarcerated leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from detention. NCF said it is still pondering why the federal government is yet to release Kanu, asking, “is it that the Nigerian government wants to disobey the UN, a world umbrella body, or is waiting for the last minute before obeying the UN demand?”

In a press statement issued yesterday in Onitsha, via SMS, signed by its president, Dede Uzor A, Uzor, the rights body expressed concern that the Federal Government of Nigeria is yet to adhere strictly to the UN’s demand to date, barely three months after the demand was made and barely three months to the expiration of the deadline.

,They, therefore, demanded that without further delay Mazi Nnamdi Kanu should be set free from DSS facilities in Abuja where he is presently being detained since according to them, “Nigeria is a signatory to all UN protocols, which compels them to obey the decision of UN and as such, the federal government should not hesitate in releasing the Biafran leader in compliance with UN decision”

The rights group reminded the Federal Government of Nigeria that it had played big roles in the arbitration and resolution of crises in some African countries which again puts the burden on it not to fail to abide by the directive of an international organization like the UN. The group condemned the indifference and insensitivity of President Buhari in releasing Kanu in line with the UN resolution.

It would be recalled that a few months ago, some Igbo Elders led by Chief Mbazulike Amechi, a First Minister of Aviation paid a special visit to the President to appeal to him to release Kanu, which he promised them to look into the problem with a view to releasing the Biafran agitator.

Unfortunately, these elders’ requests and advice were ignored by the President who allowed Kanu to languish in the DSS cell. His release said the group, has also become imperative due to the insecurity in the country which has snowballed to Abuja.

Many of Kanu’s supporters have been expressing fears that terrorists with the active connivance of some elements in the Federal Government can shoot their way into the DSS facility to s***f life out of him, hence the urgent need to release him.

OCTOBER 07 , 2022 | EASTERN PILOT Report By: Nwabueze Okonkwo, ONITSHA | The Nigeria Consultative Forum, NCF has advised President Muhammadu...

07/10/2022

UPDATE ON ONYENDU MAZI NNAMDI KANU’s CASES IN COURT.

A Federal High Court sitting in Maitama Abuja will today hear the Suit challenging the abduction and extraordinary rendition of Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi KANU.

The Suit is in substance challenging the abduction in Kenya, and extraordinary rendition of Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, filed before the Federal High Court Abuja, against the Federal Republic of Nigeria & Anor, in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/462/2022; and another Suit challenging the constitutionality or otherwise of the 2022 Practice Direction on the trial of terrorism offences, filed against the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court & Anor, in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/550/2022, are equally coming up for Hearing this morning before my Lord, the Hon. Justice Ekwo of Court No. 5, Federal High Court Abuja.

We shall keep you updated as to the proceedings and outcome.
Your prayers is impacting.

Please be informed that Onyendu will still not be coming to court today because the Suit is independent of the frivolous charge preferred against him, which we are challenging before the Court of Appeal.

You will be informed through approved channels any time ONYENDU will be coming to Court.
Thank you all, UmuChineke and remain blessed.

Signed:
Sir ifeanyi Ejiofor, Esq. (KSC)
IPOB’s Lead Counsel.
7th October, 2022.

05/10/2022

“Olugbenga David Owolabi was buried yesterday in America. He was a Nigerian who migrated to America in his 20s. He came back to invest in Nigeria in his 50s. He started a farm and a hotel in Ogbomoso.

A few weeks after returning to Nigeria, he was kidnapped in his hotel together with a staff of his hotel Who was out of school because of ASUU strike.

The kidnappers demanded millions as ransom and he paid. But the kidnappers ended up killing him and his staff.

His family in USA blamed him for allowing his love for Nigeria to lead him to an early grave. His family refused to bury him in Nigeria. They flew his body back to America and buried him on Independence day as a reminder that Nigeria is a killer of those who loves her.
Terrorism, insecurity, and kidnapping have no tribe or religion...

Our nation has failed us. Shall we continue like this?”

05/10/2022

Biafra: Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyers write Malami, Foreign Affairs ministry, make demands

The legal team of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu led by Chukwuma-Machukwu in conjunction with Aloy Ejimakor, has written to the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.

The team is demanding Kanu’s unconditionally release in line with the recommendations of the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention.

They reminded Malami of the need to accord Kanu an enforceable right to compensation and other reparations for his continued unlawful detention.

The letter was addressed to Malami and the Minister of Foreign Affairs was signed by Chukwuma-Machukwu, and Ejimakor.

The letter reads partly: “As you must have noted, the Opinion demanded the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to immediately and unconditionally release our client; Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and accord him an enforceable right to compensation and other reparations for his continued unlawful detention.

“The Working Group requests the source and the Government to provide the above- mentioned information within six months of the date of transmission of the present opinion. However, the Working Group reserves the right to take its own action in follow-up to the opinion if new concerns in relation to the case are brought to its attention. Such action would enable the Working Group to inform the Human Rights Council of progress made in implementing its recommendations, as well as any failure to take action”. All emphasis (italic, bold underlining) ours.

“Your Excellency, we are sending this demand Letter to you because we believe that the subject matter falls under the jurisdiction of the Foreign Relations Ministry of Nigeria, as it is the duty of the Ministry to, among other things, ensure that Nigeria complies with her obligations under international law. Thus, in your considerations of the subject matter of this Letter, we respectfully invite you to be guided by the following:

“The Working Group, which is an integral part of the United Nations Human Rights Council, is a quasi-judicial body that has the legal mandate of the United Nations to adjudicate human rights petitions brought against member nations of the United Nations.

“The Opinion of the Working Group is legally binding on Nigeria because it is based primarily on Universal Human Rights standards set by Article 9(1) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, 1966, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948 , The Body of Principles for the Protection of All Persons under any Form of Detention or Imprisonment, 1988, The Declaration on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, 1992, The Principles on the Effective Prevention and Investigation of Extra-legal, Arbitrary and Summary Executions, 1989; all to which Nigeria is a signatory.

“Some of the above human rights instruments were mentioned in the Opinion as having guided the Working Group in reaching this decision. To be sure, ratification is a means by which a nation renders itself subject to international laws and treaties. And by virtue of Section 12 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria {as amended} and a plethora of decisions by the Supreme Court of Nigeria {see; Abacha v Fawehinmi [2000] 6 NWLR Part 660 p 228}, ratification makes Nigeria subject to and bound by whatever treaties, principles, protocols, etc that it ratified and domesticated.

“Thus, Nigeria’s Domestication of Article 6 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights {which includes Article 6 that guarantees the Right against unlawful detention. This Article is as well very similar to Article 9(1) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights} has made Nigeria bound by it and in extension, bound by the Opinion of the Working Group which it was founded on.

“Furthermore the International Court of Justice in its dictum in the Hostages in Tehran case, ICJ Reports 1980, p. 42, para. 91 held:

“wrongfully to deprive human beings of their freedom and to subject them to physical constraint in conditions of hardship is in itself incompatible with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, as well as with the fundamental principles enunciated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights”

“It thus follows that, notwithstanding that a State may not have ratified or otherwise adhered to any of the preceding human rights treaties, it is nonetheless bound by other legal sources to ensure a person’s right to respect for his or her liberty and security.

“That Kenya has not taken up a complaint against Nigeria for kidnapping a British citizen in her sovereign State cannot in law be an alibi for Nigeria as to avoid its Rule of Law obligations. The case of United States v. Toscanino (also cited in the Opinion) emphatically points out that a violation of international law is not merely a political matter to be settled through diplomatic channels by the states involved, but can also be relied upon by the accused in the domestic courts. see; See State v. Brewster (1835), 7 Vt. 118; United States v . Unverzagt (1924), 299 F. 1015 (D.C .), (1919-42)

“To this effect, even when Nigeria denies being a signatory to or ratifying some of the instruments as listed above which the Working Group relied on, the International Court of Justice has already set the precedent that even States that did not ratify these Documents will still be bound by them.

“As a bonafide member of the United Nations Organisation, Nigeria is subject to Decisions cm Opinions issued from all the United Nations bodies. Thus, it is our firm position that Nigeria is legally bound to implement this well founded and universally respected Opinion in its fullness of letters and spirit. And it is expected to do so promptly.

“The comity of Nations cannot allow Nigeria to pick and choose benefits from international Covenants and Conventions to revile on its duties and obligations accruing from the said international Covenants and Conventions. For her benefit, Nigeria followed through with her claims over Bakassi in the International Court of Justice.

“How did we come to this level? In fact, we must reiterate that impunity and violence are sure signposts of misgovernance and are never allowed in the comity of sovereign nations where intelligence, higher thoughts and diplomacy are the only life wires of good governance and mutual international relationships with other nations.

“This Nigeria cannot afford to squander. It is an opportunity to explore a more reconciliatory path to resolving the Biafra question.

“In view of all the foregoing, we most respectfully ask you to bring your good Office to bear on the Government of Nigeria to unconditionally release our Client, Nnamdi Kanu within a reasonable time after the receipt of this letter.”

https://dailypost.ng/2022/08/13/biafra-nnamdi-kanus-lawyers-write-malami-foreign-affairs-ministry-make-demands/?amp=1