Biafra: International Justice Appeal For Freedom Of Nnamdi Kanu (Leader Of Indigenous Of Biafra-IPOB) And Other Victims Of Regime Atrocities In Nigeria by Biafra News Team Monday, September 19, 2016 - 0

NIGERIA: SEPTEMBER 19, 2016

International Justice Appeal For Freedom Of Nnamdi Kanu (Leader Of Indigenous Of Biafra-IPOB) And Other Victims Of Regime Atrocities In Nigeria

OPEN LETTER TO:

(1)    The Secretary General of the United Nations

(2)    The President of the United Nations General Assembly

(3)    The President of the United Nations Security Council

(4)    The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

(5)    The United Nations Special Rapporteurs on :

(a)    Truth, Justice & Reparation

(b)    Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions

(c)     Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatments or Punishments

(6)    The Honourable British Prime Minister &  Distinguished British Parliamentarians

(7)    Distinguished European Union Leaders

(8)    The President of the United States & Distinguished US Congressmen & Women

(9) Distinguished Canadian Leaders & Parliamentarians

         (10) Other Internationally Distinguished Personalities:

                 (a) Human Rights Activists & Groups

                 (b) Former Heads of UN Bodies

                 (c) Former World Leaders

                 (d) Independent Experts on Justice, Peace, Security and Human Rights

         

Distinguished Sirs/Madams,

Onitsha-430003: Southeast-Nigeria: Our name is: International Society for Civil Liberties & the Rule of Law; abbreviated as INTERSOCIETY. We are registered (Reg. No. 27239) rights based Civil Society Organization under the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria. Our advocacy voice or thematic areas are: civil liberties and rule of law, democracy and good governance, and public security and safety. We are based in Onitsha, Anambra State, Southeast of Nigeria. For easy of reference, we can be electronically visited or accessed via www.intersociety-ng.org.

The purpose of this Open Letter to your highly respected personalities is to seek for freedom of detained Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) by name: Mr. Nnamdi Kanu and other victims of regime atrocities in Nigeria. This we respectfully seek through your informed voices, wise counselling and unbiased diplomatic interventions, to be appropriately and timely directed to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by name: Mr. Muhammadu Buhari. Means through which Mr. Muhammadu Buhari can be reached or communicated are available at the diplomatic missions of your respective countries in Nigeria or the Nigerian Permanent Mission at the United Nations (i.e. New York, USA).

This international justice appeal particularly comes on the heels of the 71^st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, comprising of 193 Member-States, at which President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria has been slated; likewise other world leaders, to address the UN General Assembly on 21^st of September 2016, in line with the General Assembly’s 2016 session theme: Sustainable Development Goals: A Universal Push to Transform our World; which seeks a strong link between sustainable development, peace, security and human rights.

It is our informed observation that 70%, if not more of international travels undertaken by President Muhammadu Buhari since he became the President of Nigeria on 29^th of May 2015 took place in the countries of your highly respected personalities or at the UN headquarters in New York, USA and a number of its other meetings and conferences elsewhere. Just recently, too, the US Secretary of State, Senator John Kerry visited the President and extended his visit to a number of places designated for him to visit by his host President.

We are technically aware of the modern workings of international relations. We are further aware that modern international relations are extensively driven by Democracy and ICT-powered Globalization. We also know as a fact that modern democracy is driven by the rule of law; just as the justice aspect of the rule of law is chiefly driven by the two Latin doctrines of nemo judex in sua causa and audi alteram partem; which simply mean that someone should not be a judge in his or her own matter and must hear the other side before drawing a conclusion; otherwise called fair hearing.

It is our knowledge that the modern UN System is strongly built on the principles of democracy, equality, rule of law and human rights; which in turn, lays a strong foundation for advancement of international peace and security. As your highly respected personalities are aware, these are fully embedded in the Principles and Purposes of the United Nations. We are aware too that your highly respected personalities are the guidance and custodians of democratic traditions in your respected countries and have further worked hard at ensuring the sustenance of the hallowed principles at the UN System and global level.

Your highly respected personalities are aware too that unless these hallowed principles are guided jealously at all times, otherwise their opposites will set in and consume the world, leading to eruption of municipal, regional and international insecurity and violence; otherwise called complex humanitarian emergencies. That is to say that sustainable development can never find its root under complex humanitarian emergencies powered by regime atrocities and gross human rights violations perpetrated by errant and violent Member-States. The crisis in Syria, for instance, has since gone beyond domestic and regional problems. It has long become a global headache with most territories under the watch of your highly respected personalities and the UN System bearing major brunt including incurring emergency expenditures of billions of dollars to cushion the effects of influx of Syrian refugees with associated public security threats.

We have always paused to ask ourselves and other international watchers how the world including your highly respected personalities’ countries and the UN System will look if Nigeria with estimated population of 174million people goes the Syrian way or erupt into complex humanitarian emergencies. That is to say that if Syria with less than 25million population could have approximately half of its population displaced, leading to generation of 3.9million refugees and 6.3million internally displaced persons just in five years; what then will happen if Nigeria is to explode in a like manner going by ongoing intensification of triggers of widespread violence; occasioned by current policies of militarism and militarization of the Government of Mr. Muhammadu Buhari?

We have carefully studied the ongoing diplomatic interactions and relations between your highly respected personalities and President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria and found them commendable. But in spite of their commendable outlook, we still find such interactions and relations lacking in one key area: regime atrocities and abuse of office. That is to say that your highly respected personalities have in the course of the diplomatic interactions and relations under reference; turned blind eyes to ongoing regime atrocities in Nigeria under the Presidency of Mr. Muhammadu Buhari. Many Nigerians see this lukewarm attitude as aiding and abetting of regime atrocities in Nigeria.

Regime Atrocities under democracy are taken to mean State-actor promotion and enforcement of gross rights abuses including widespread State killings outside the law, disrespect to judicial pronouncements, criminal stigmatization and trumped up charges. Others are executive interference in judicial affairs and castration of the independence of the judiciary; political domination, exclusion and segregation; nepotism and favouritism; ethno-religious cleansing and adoption of State religion; widespread insecurity, morality corruption and abuse of office as well as general governance failure. These are State-triggered structural violence culminating into deep societal divisions which can snowball into complex humanitarian emergencies. In quick consequences of these, both negative peace (absence of physical violence) and positive peace (absence of structural violence) have grossly eluded Nigeria. 

Therefore, our writing your highly respected personalities is generally predicated on the above with particular attention centred on the ongoing persecution of Mr. Nnamdi Kanu and other victims of regime atrocities by the Presidency of Muhammadu Buhari. It is shocking to inform your highly respected personalities that till date, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu is not standing trial in any known court in Nigeria.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Black’s Law Dictionary, 9^th Edition (2009), defines a criminal trial as a formal judicial examination of evidence and determination of legal claims in an adversary proceeding. In other words, a criminal trial is a proceeding preceding issuance of a judicial notice about intended legal claims and accompanying evidence (charge) before a judge by the accusing authority (i.e. AGF, Police or DSS) against an accused citizen in which the veracity of legal claims and accompanying evidence is determined through formal judicial examination. It is extremely important to inform your highly respected personalities that none of the foregoing has taken place in Nnamdi Kanu’s Matter till date.

He has been detained without trial for a period of eleven (11) months or since 14^th of October 2015. The circumstances under which he is held are unlawful, illegal, unconstitutional and an aberration to modern international human rights and justice norms. Your highly respected personalities may recall that Mr. Nnamdi Kanu is the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Director of a UK registered Radio Station by name Radio Biafra London (RBL). The IPOB is registered at the United Nations as a body advocating for the indigenous rights of indigenous people located in the Southeast and the South-south parts of Nigeria. Both IPOB and RBL earned their recognition and registration on account of their nonviolence methods in accordance with the UN mandate or principles.

As your highly respected personalities are aware, under the UN System, Rights to Self Determination, Development and Identities are recognized and enshrined provided their proponents do not use or advocate for violence. Where violence is resorted to by their proponents leading to widespread violent conflict between their proponents and the host political territory, the conduct of such is strictly governed by the Laws of War or Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their Protocols. The enshrinement of these rights is internationally done by way of Treaty Laws or International Conventions; which are legally binding on Member-States that are parties to them.

Regionally and globally, the Federal Republic of Nigeria has willingly acceded to these treaty laws and accepted to be bound by their provisions and obligations. Till date, Nigeria is a party to the UN’s Covenants on Civil & Political Rights (ICCPR) and Economic, Social & Cultural Rights (ICESCR). As a matter of fact, Nigeria ratified them in 1993. Nigeria is also a party to the African Charter on Human & Peoples Rights (ACHPR), which it ratified and domesticated in 1981. Several decided cases by Nigeria’s courts of competent records or jurisdictions have also upheld their admissibility and enforceability in the Nigerian Legal and Justice System. 

In these three important treaty laws cited, rights to self determination, development and identities are fully enshrined. Nigeria’s assent to them is intact till date. Under the International Law and the UN system, Nigeria is also under inexcusable obligation to be bound by these treaty laws as well as the Principles and Purposes of the United Nations particularly in the areas of respect for human rights and its obligation in the maintenance of international peace and security. Perpetration of regime atrocities particularly gross human rights abuses and reckless disregard to rule of law is the greatest threat to international peace and security as well as sustainable development.

Nigeria is further bound by the ten basic standards of the International Law including tolerance and peaceful management of nonviolent and peaceful assemblies; fair trial of citizens held under whatever guise; prohibition of solitary confinement or long detention without trial of detained citizens; prohibition of torture and custodial killings as well as bringing errant law enforcement personnel involved in gross violation of human rights to account for their conduct atrocities.

Under the UN’s Customary International Law with its principles of substantial uniformity of practice by a substantial number of States and Opinio Juris(i.e. a general principle that holds that a non-treaty rule is legally binding on all member-States of the UN); Nigeria as a member-State of UN is inexcusably bound by fundamental rules of the United Nations and International Law. Where the ruling Government in Nigeria or President Muhammadu Buhari pretends not to be in the know of all these, then the moral and diplomatic responsibility turns to your highly respected personalities to do so. The authorities of the UK Government, which colonized Nigeria and co-inhabits Mr. Nnamdi Kanu as one of its legal citizens, are morally and diplomatically obligated, exceptionally speaking, to do so; likewise the top leaders of the UN.

Allowing a gross abuser of human rights to be dinning and winning with your highly respected personalities without calling him to order morally and diplomatically is nothing but aiding and abetting. It is also an international conspiracy and encouragement of citizens’ militancy and violent resistance. It is like an abomination in human rights community whereby a human parts dealer is asked to join an organization that is defending human rights. This position of ours follows our informed observation that your highly respected personalities are steadily failing in your moral and diplomatic obligations to the good people of Nigeria particularly as they concern their liberties, lives and collective security.

We respectfully inform your highly respected personalities further that Mr. Nnamdi Kanu who is has been detained for eleven months having been arrested on 14^th of October 2015 by Nigeria’s Secret Police by name DSS (Department of State Security) is treated sub-humanly by the Presidency of Mr. Muhammadu Buhari. Apart from the fact that offences slammed on him are trumped up, the conduct under which he was arrested and detained is also criminally stigmatized. There is nowhere in the civilized world or law that voice conduct without force of arms or physical violence of any form constitute criminal offence not to talk of offences carrying capital punishment.

President Muhammadu Buhari was in opposition politics for over a decade and was noted for mobilizing several assemblies against successive administrations. In his several public speeches then, he was noted as a violent political campaigner, periodically threatening the authorities and rest of Nigeria, yet he was never arrested for one day. This was on account of relatively culture of political tolerance of the referenced past administrations, but months after he became President, he criminalized peaceful assemblies and ordered his security forces to shoot and kill any group of people gathered to exercise their constitutional rights to freedom of association and peaceful assemblies. On account of this, as much as 250 Pro Biafra activists were gunned down and mass-murdered in about eight different locations by Nigerian security forces between 30^th of August 2015 and 30^th of May 2016.  Till date, the perpetrators are still on the prowl.

As if these were not enough, President Muhammadu Buhari made a public speech on 30^th of December 2015 during which he vowed to ensure that Mr. Nnamdi Kanu and ors spend the rest of their lives in prison custody. This signalled the beginning of persecution of Mr. Nnamdi Kanu. On account of Mr. President’s open bias and threats, the Judiciary became frightened and terrified. A search for an amenable, conformist and pro establishment judge to actualize President Buhari’s open threat commenced and seemed successful, leading to the choice of one Honourable Justice John Tsoho of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division. The Judge as expected became bias and hostile; threatening and undermining the rule of law and its hallowed principles of nemo judex in sua causa and audi alteram partem; which simply mean that someone should not be a judge in his or her own matter and must hear the other side before drawing a conclusion; otherwise referred to as fair hearing.

Apart from holding Citizen Nnamdi Kanu for eleven months now without trial, four orders of the courts of constitutional records given for his bail and discharge were all flouted. This is attestation of President Muhammadu Buhari’s meddlesomeness and castration of the independence of the Judiciary. Citizen Nnamdi Kanu was kept in detention for months while the Buhari Presidency was busy searching for a conformist Judge to jail him at all costs. Since then, it has been one pre-trial arraignment and gimmickry to another.

As we speak, the scripted trumped up judgment against Mr. Nnamdi Kanu may most likely have been written long ago; waiting for a makeshift trial using masked witnesses; an infamous request from the Presidency of Muhammadu Buhari which Justice John Tsoho initially turned down but later upturned following a circumstantially obvious directive and pressure from the Presidency. Citizen Nnamdi Kanu’s Case (still at pre-trial stage) is scheduled to resume on 26th of September 2016 and despite calls by well meaning Nigerians and other informed observers on Hon Justice John Tsoho to hands off the case for obvious bias and hostility, he has refused to disqualify himself and is bent on doing President Muhammadu Buhari’s bidding. Citizen Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyers, too, have spoken out and written several protest letters.

As advocates of rule of law and human rights, we are not in opposition to judicial processes, provided they are credible, open and transparent. What we oppose at all times is the State efforts to use judiciary to pervert the course of justice and perpetrate gross abuse of the fundamental human rights of the citizens and undermine democracy and constitutionalism. Sections 35 and 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended in 2011; likewise the UN Covenant on Civil and Political Rights as well as the Ten Basic Standards of the International Law and the African Charter on Human & Peoples Rights contain express provisions entitling citizens to fully enjoy their rights to personal liberty and fair hearing.

These sacred provisions include unhindered access of the accused citizens to their lawyers, adequate time for accused citizens to prepare their own defence, timely availability of records of proceedings for perusal and other lawful uses by the accused citizens, custodial detention within the period legally allowed, trial of the accused citizens in the open court, accused citizens’ right of appeal and their presumption of innocence until they are pronounced guilty by  courts of competent records.

Sheik Ibrahim Zakzaky; leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) is another major victim of President Muhammadu Buhari’s regime atrocities. Sheik Zakzaky had been detained incommunicado for over nine months or 270 days after he was shot severally, battered and blinded by soldiers, during which as much as 809 of his followers were also massacred. The massacre took place on 12^th and 14^th of December 2015 while they were peacefully and nonviolently marking their annual religious event in Zaria, Kaduna State of Northwest Nigeria. The Government of Kaduna State had publicly admitted burring in mass graves of 347 bodies of the massacred IMN followers alone. Till date, the blinded Sheik has neither been produced publicly nor put on trial in any court in Nigeria; a period of over 270 days and none of errant soldiers that perpetrated the heinous crime has been arrested and put on trial.    

We hereby call on your highly respected personalities to:

1.       At all times, manually and electronically, advice and task President Muhammadu Buhari on modern workings of democracy, human rights and rule of law.

2.       Investigate and condemn all forms of human rights abuse particularly unprovoked attacks and killing of unarmed citizens, criminalization and stigmatization of rights to freedom of association, peaceful assemblies and freedom of expression; and reckless use of State violence in public governance approaches.

3.       Task him to preserve and protect at all times the sanctity and independence of the Judiciary and the National Assembly as well

4.       Task President Buhari to publicly renounce his abominable pronouncement made on 30^th of December 2015 during his maiden Presidential Chat; upon which the Judiciary has been frightened and become terrified to the extent of conducting its proceedings (i.e. Hon Justice John Tsoho in Nnamdi Kanu’s Case) according to the dictates or whims and caprices of the President

5.       Urge President Muhammadu Buhari to steer clear of Mr. Nnamdi Kanu’s ongoing Court Case and allow a level ground for the accused and his accusers (Buhari’s Presidency) to proof their cases.

6.       Allow constitutionalism to be strictly followed in Mr. Nnamdi Kanu’s Case including the need for the proceedings or proposed trial to be conducted in the open court in accordance with Section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended in 2011, as well as the ICCPR and the ACHPR Treaty Laws.

7.       Urge President Muhammadu Buhari to end his obvious meddlesomeness in Mr. Nnamdi Kanu’s Case and the Judiciary and direct his Attorney General to proof the Federal Government’s allegation that Citizen Nnamdi Kanu is a treasonable felon or an insurrectionist; or withdraw the bogus charges against him for want of evidence.

8.       Urge President Muhammadu Buhari to produce publicly dead or alive the Leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, Sheik Ibrahim Zak El-Zaky, who was shot and battered and detained incommunicado since December 14^th 2015; a period of nine months or 270 days.

9.       Urge President Muhammdu Buhari to refrain from making further mockery of the rule of law and citizens’ constitutional liberties by arresting and clamping citizens into detention for over three months without trial; contrary to Section 35 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended in 2011.

10.   Urge Mr. President to end his clamp down, indiscriminate arrest and long detention without trial of Pro Biafra activists across Nigeria or any part thereof, particularly members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and release all their members languishing in various DSS cells across the country without trial.

11.   Urge President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately reverse himself concerning his violence prone style of governance particularly his anti human rights stance, divisive and sectional governance as well as his policies of militarization and militarism.

Yours in the Service to Humanity:

Emeka Umeagbalasi, B.Sc., Criminology & Security Studies; M.Sc. (c), Peace & Conflict Studies

Board Chairman, International Society for Civil Liberties & the Rule of Law-INTERSOCIETY

Mobile Line: +2348174090052

Email: info@intersociety-ng.org

Website: www.intersociety-ng.org

Obianuju Igboeli, Esq., LLB, BL; LLM (c)

Head, Civil Liberties & Rule of Law Program

Mobile Line: +2348034186332

Chinwe Umeche, Esq., LLB, BL

Mobile Line: +2347013238673

Head, Democracy & Good Governance Program

    

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Biafra: Atonement on Oct 11th to 12th 2016 sundown to sundown. If My People Who Are Called By My Name Shall Humble Themselves by Biafra News Team Monday, September 19, 2016 - 0

Are our names not content “Chi” in them? What is Chukwu? are you not called by his name?  

As Ordained By Chiukwu Okike Abiama (God), Biafrans Atone - If My People Who Are Called By My Name Shall Humble Themselves, And Pray, And Seek My Face. And Turn From Their Wicked Way, Then Will I Hear From Heaven, And Will Forgive Their Sins, And Will Heal Their land: 2 Chronicles 7:14

Biafrans will celebrate the Atonement on Oct 11th to 12th 2016. This is the third year we, as a nation, are going to observe the long forgotten feast commanded by Chukwu Okike Abiama. Since the days of Jeshua, the children of Israel had not done this. This national feast has been neglected for a protracted period of time.

The reason is because nobody told us we are the children of Israel. The Christian church only brain-washed us to believe that the only thing that matters is to believe in Jesus. But the Bible is very clear that Israel (Biafrans) must keep the laws, commandment, statutes, and feasts (Lev 23: 1-37, 16: 1-34, Ex 20: 1-17, Deut 14: 1-21, Ps. 119, Mt 19: 16-22).

Because we have not worshipped Chukwu Okike Abiama by keeping the laws, statutes, commandments, and feasts, He placed a curse on us and scattered us abroad. This is why some of us are in USA, UK, Germany, Italy, Ghana, Turkey, Kano, Sokoto scavenging. He let our enemies oppress, marginalise, and kill us. All of us are living the pains of disobedience.

But thank God for sending mazi Nnamdi Kanu who opened our eyes to understand why we are suffering and taught us what we need to do to return to our former glory because God created the world for Israel sake. But disobedience has made us be at the bottom that allowed cattle rearers to preside over us.

Biafrans will attest to the fact that the Atonements we observed the last two years, has been life changing experience in our history as all the saboteurs in our land began to manifest and be dealt with. Thanks to the divine wisdom and bravery of our leader mazi Kanu.

With this Atonement, we wish to afflict our souls through fasting and prayers and confess our sins of disobedience to Chukwu Okike Abiama and ask him for forgiveness so he will heal us and destroy our enemies. Right now, we do not have any power or zeal to discomfit our enemies. But God can. He has promised that if we atone and repent, He will restore us because we are His chosen that are called by His name.

Are our names not content “Chi” in them? What is Chukwu? are you not called by his name?  

As Ordained By Chiukwu Okike Abiama (God), Biafrans Atone - If My People Who Are Called By My Name Shall Humble Themselves, And Pray, And Seek My Face. And Turn From Their Wicked Way, Then Will I Hear From Heaven, And Will Forgive Their Sins, And Will Heal Their land: 2 Chronicles 7:14

Therefore, we enjoin all Biafrans to join us on this Atonement coming up. Returning to Chukwu Okike Abiama is the only solution to our problem. Chukwu Okike Abiama allowed us to suffer, and only Him will restore and heal us. The solution does not lie with man but with God. Therefore, let us make this occasion a worthwhile one. May Chukwu Okike Abiama bless each and every one of us as we come together in humility to obey Him on this Atonement.

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The day of Atonement starting on Tuesday 11th at sundown to Wednesday 12th of October 2016 at sundown by Biafra News Team Monday, September 12, 2016 - 0

As Ordained By Chiukwu Okike Abiama (God), Biafrans Atone - If My People Who Are Called By My Name Shall Humble Themselves, And Pray, And Seek My Face. And Turn From Their Wicked Way, Then Will I Hear From Heaven, And Will Forgive Their Sins, And Will Heal Their land: 2 Chronicles 7:14

Biblically, it is endorsed as Ecclesiastes 3:1 pointedly expressed that: to everything there is a season - an appointed time for everything. There is a time for every event under heaven. A time to give birth and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted.… As a result, this year, on the 11^th and 12^th day of October 2016 to be precise, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) worldwide, by His grace, will perform the most honorable sacrament, the very prominent act of humility before heaven and earth but well pronounced in terms of the “cleansing rite”- the Biafra Atonement of the year.

This period of supplication, reflection and prayers is designed to reconnect Biafrans with their creator who protected them many centuries when the armies of Islam tried and failed to conquer Biafraland. That army sent from Zaria were decimated and destroyed on the plains of Idomaland in present day Benue State. Where the armies of Islam were defeated on that fateful day marks the beginning of the territory of the Children of God.

Notwithstanding these detour, Chiukwu Okike Abiama been so merciful, knowing that His creatures are mere mortals, He set out a remedy (atonement) and commanded His subjects to atone periodically for their sins in order to be worthy to be called His children again and reconciled with Him. In the book of 2 Chronicles 7:14, Chiukwu Okike Abiama said, if my people who are called by my name shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

On Tuesday 11 to 12 October 2016 we will remember that epic moment in our history and pray that the almighty God Chukwu Okike Abiama come once again to our rescue his children from the same forces of darkness that once tried and failed to enslave his children we Biafrans.

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IPOB PAYS MEDICAL BILLS OF INJURED VICTIMS AND REIMBURSES PERSONAL MONEY SPENT by Biafra News Team Friday, September 09, 2016 - 0

IPOB PAYS MEDICAL BILLS OF INJURED VICTIMS AND REIMBURSES PERSONAL MONEY SPENT

By Ibeh Gift Amarachi
For Family Writers

handing over of cash

The Indigenous People Of Biafra under the Leadership of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu,have cleared the Hospital Bills, Reimbursed bills previously paid and bought Crutches for the injured victims that are in various Hospitals in different State who were brutalised and maimed by the Nigeria Government, on 30th May 2016 Heroes Remembrance day. Furthermore, IPOB Leadership have commenced with the catering of the Families of the victims, which includes paying  of their Childrens School Fees, House rents, catering for Widows whose husbands were killed in various protest and buying of drugs if need be. This was done after rejecting the bill payment offer of the Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano at Multi-Care Hospital in Omagba Phase2 Onitsha in Anambra State, who in collaboration with Muhammadu Buhari the President of Nigeria, ordered for the shoot at sight at the unarmed victims who marched to Nkpor Anambra State,in respect of May 30th Biafra heroes Remembrance Day.

 This positive and unprecedented act was done through IBEH GIFT AMARACHI Of Family Writers, who represented the Leader of the Indigenous People Of Biafra and Director Of Radio Biafra Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and the entirety of IPOB Leadership, as she travelled to various Hospitals in different States where the victims were receiving treatment from and their Hospital bills was cleared, which led to their discharge. Before the discharge from the Hospital, each victims Personal Bank Account details for further catering was taken, the bills from the various Hospitals was taken and Money paid into the Hospital's Account.



  The Victims displayed shocking excitement, by singing various Biafra Songs, Praising the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra and appreciating IPOB for immensely seeing to their welfare. They screamed in joy to the hearing of other Hospital Patients and to the amazement of the Hospital managements, which led to Nurses rejoicing alongside with them. One of the bravery and exciting act was seen, at Multi-Care Hospital, same Hospital where IPOB Leadership rejected the offer of the Governor of Anambra State. A Brave victim by name Okechukwu Solomon who was Shot and Bath with Acid at Anambra State Barracks,stated " I am Proud to be a Biafran.


My Parents did not force me to join this struggle,I personally made my decision and joined the Biafra struggle. I shall never give up and wish to stop using these crutches soon. I thank my Leader and Commander Mazi Nnamdi Kanu,IPOB Worldwide and promise that there will be no going back, until Biafra is restored". The wife of Mr. Egwu Joseph, who has been receiving treatment at Umuika in Abia State, appreciated the effort of IPOB for seeing to her husband’s bills and showing passionate love for him. Other victims numerous to mention, all promised never to stop agitating for Biafra under the Leadership of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and have promised to join any protest without fear of gunshot or killings.


 The Indigenous People Of Biafra under the Leadership of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu,have indeed practiced what its being routinely preached "Ononube Nwanne Agbanoso(Who hears the cry of his Brother,should not run away)" and have proven that, we are united, strong and will forever cater for ourselves without the aid of aliens from Nigeria and Britain the creator of the murderous establishment called Nigeria. IPOB is capable of taking care of the victims who were abysmally brutalised by the Nigeria government, in collaboration with the British Government.

 Nigeria Government has destroyed the Lives of innocent civilians who only exercised their rights to Self-Determination with impunity. The British Government, Nigeria Government in conjunction with other Islamic Countries, have been passionately bent to the total extermination, subjection into perpetual poverty and trampling on the human rights of Biafrans. This is one of the reasons, most World Leaders are totally mute over the barbaric act by Muhammadu Buhari led regime, against the Indigenous People Of Biafra. This calamity of killing and molesting unarmed civilians, with impunity is against humanity and a stain to the white cloth of justice.


The World must boldly rise up, to defend the interest of the oppressed. In the words of Martin Luther King Junior "THE ULTIMATE TRAGEDY IS NOT THE OPPRESSION AND CRUELTY BY THE BAD PEOPLE BUT THE SILENCE OVER THAT BY THE GOOD PEOPLE". I would also leave the statement of Thomas Paine to the British Government and every other alien country supporting the maiming of the Indigenous People Of Biafran(IPOB) "HE THAT WOULD MAKE HIS OWN LIBERTY SECURE,MUST GUARD EVEN HIS ENEMY FROM OPPRESSION,FOR IF HE VIOLATES THIS DUTY,HOUR ESTABLISHES A PRECEDENT THAT WILL REACH TO HIMSELF".

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NAMES OF BIAFRANS KILLED BY THE BUHARI LED GOVERNMENT ON THE ORDER OF BUHARI DURING BIAFRAN DAY by Biafra News Team Friday, September 09, 2016 - 0

NAMES OF BIAFRANS KILLED BY THE BUHARI LED GOVERNMENT ON THE ORDER OF BUHARI DURING BIAFRAN DAY PEACEFUL PROTEST OF 30th MAY 2016 (The areas covered are Asaba and Onitsha). May their souls rest in peace

Those killed in Asaba include:

1. Ichoku Ndu
2. Ebere Obidike
3. Nwabueze Uzonna
4. Okey Roland
5. Chukwudi Ifenna
6. Isaac Uzochukwu
7. Eberima Aguh
8. Henry Gideon
9. Efion Apani
10. Abuchi Obi
11. Ozoemena Chukwuma
12. Lotenna Ifeajuna
13. Ifebuchi Okenwa
14. Wisdom Omota
15. Ejike Abunchukwu
16. Ozobu Ogbonna
17. Emeka Madueke
18. Paschal Gideon
19. Afam Onyeburu
20. Izu Onwubiewe
21. Okey Agubata
22. Celestine Nnamdi
23. Obieke Lotenna
24. Nwabueze Oti
25. Chijioke Ozoro
26. Nwadike Chibuzo
27. Azuka Ifeake
28. Chioma Nkemjika
29. Obiora Okonkwo

.
Those killed in Onitsha area include:

1. Obi Nkemakonam
2. Ubani Nwenneakonam
3. Nwuzo Friday
4. Ilo Friday
5. Olisama Chukwuemeka
6. Awah Sopuruchi
7. Okoye Chinedu
8. Ezeilo Chuka
9. Onyeduna Ifesinachi
10. Nnamani Sunday
11. Chinonso Amadi
12. Tagbo Chibuzo
13. Anyanwu Chika
14. Egbe Johnson
15. Osukwe Ijeoma
16. Nkechukwu Ikechukwu
17. Kenneth Eni
18. Orjichukwu Chigozie
19. Solomon Izundu
20. Ebili Edward
21. Gabriel Onyedikachi
22. Ilo Ozoemena
23. Nwauju Charles
24. Onuoha Chidozie
25. Onyemaechi Nwaezeoma
26. Innocent Obodoekwe
27. Ifeanyi Azubuike
28. Adigwe Chukwudi
29. Ogochukwu Mbam
30. Obiosa Chukwueme
31. Ugochukwu Samuel
32. Onuoha Chigozie
33. Maduka Egwela
34. John Onuchukwu
35. Maduabuchi Onwukanjo
36. Izuchukwu Nwaogba
37. Nnamdi Okonkwo
38. Ibekwe Okechukwu
39. Felix Odianwu
40. Okafor Moses Madukasi
41. Egwu Joseph.

I am still wondering how Buhari will get away with genocide.

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September 5 th to 9th; Biafrans and friends all over the world will commence another round of phone campaign to USA Gov't, EU and UN by Biafra News Team Saturday, September 03, 2016 - 0

SEPTEMBER CALL FOR JUSTICE

This September 5th  to 9th; Biafrans and friends all over the world will commence another round of phone campaign to officials of United States of America (USA); European Union (EU) and United Nation (UN).

    As free and peaceful people that have refused to lift a stick or raise a gun in spite of all the provocations so far; the military action against the lawful people of Biafra has been sustained. While there is an intense move to silence and extinguish Biafrans; in good faith and with the hope that the world authorities will stand to defend the international conventions that propel the Indigenous People of Biafra. It is, therefore, imperative to know that Biafrans have endured so much and now exploiting every civil means to get justice. This September call is done that there may be justice and a halt to the right violation that has faced them.
    As this extermination continues; it is noteworthy that the people of Biafra have committed no crime known to any law but have thrived on freedom of speech which has brought death and mayhem upon them. While this is the case; they have been conspired against, and everybody has gone deaf and dumb while a part of the world is about to be extinguished. The killing of six million Jews started just this way, and negligence tends to play a remarkable role in abetting such evil against the people of Biafra. While there is visible genocide in Biafra; it is believed that calling the world or international community will trigger sympathy and awaken the consciousness of men to the inhuman State treatment of Biafrans. A call from you can save humanity and a people faced with a second genocide.
    The more there is silence is the more this ongoing genocide is sustained, and there is need to intensify the call for justice to the international community and world relevant authorities. The non-violent approach applied by Nnamdi Kanu and the Indigenous People of Biafra means every alternative must be exploited to save humanity from extermination. This call for justice must be given every attention needed and to enforce due action to arrest the lawlessness that has narrowed Biafrans to animals whose rights are not respected or a species of terror.  Having arrested Nnamdi Kanu the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, the call for his unconditional release has been sustained and met with unwarranted military action against the people of Biafra.
    ISIS- like execution of the people of Biafra is now rampant with Amnesty International on top of the game they know how best to play; browsing and uncovering the genocide going on in Biafra and reporting to the world- details of how Biafrans are shot without provocation. Forceful disappearance is the order of the day, and there seems to be no end to this evil against Biafrans. This evidence via report from leading human right institution buttresses the position of the people of Biafra who has been crying day and night over the genocide being perpetrated on them. It is the collective responsibility of the entire people of the world to stand and fight for the safety of people without any record of provocation or threat but people that have contributed immensely to the development of the world at large.
    Nnamdi Kanu who has been in unlawful detention has rigorously been pleaded and forced to renounce or negotiate with FG of Nigerian which he obviously declined and reiterated that it is Biafra or nothing. While there is no hope of Buhari breaking him; they have intensified their move and have attempted to murder him the second time in the space of one year. Spain is not killing Catalonians and UK is not killing Scots; why then must Nigeria kill Biafrans. Through this call, the world should be made to know that the people of Biafra deserve equal treatment with other human beings. Nigeria must be rebuked and condemned; there should be compulsion for the release of Nnamdi Kanu and halt to the military action against unarmed people.
    It is clear that Nigeria is a lawless state and would do nothing but contravene its laws and constitution let alone respecting international conventions. For this reason, it is crucial to remind the world of the role they should play when human rights that are protected without boundaries are abused by a State. Therefore; it is overdue for the world authorities to step up and compel Nigerian State to respect what she signed to respect. The 2007 UN declaration on the rights of Indigenous People is a sacred convention and must be respected or compelled to be respected if need arises.

    This current situation in Biafra land is to form part of the message in the phone campaign to the US, EU and UN officials. Biafrans and friends of Biafra all over the world are expected to be part of this campaign. Everyone is to call and declare to them the plight of Biafrans and why they should help to save the souls of Biafrans (SOS).

The numbers to call are Us Congress direct number +1 202_224_3121 & +1 202_225_4316 United Nations Office at Geneva +4122_917_4635 Time to call is (3pm to 11pm Biafran Time) 

Biafra is going places and there is nothing the enemies can do about it. Use the following prompts when you call: “Hello, my name is (--------); I’m calling to appeal to the President (or the relevant government official) to:

1.    Nnamdi Kanu’s right is being violated without constraint by asking him to renounce a legitimate demand before he is released. This simply shows that he is being held by no law but by Nigeria (a man) who has no right to his life and freedom. Ask them to help in working to free the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu – the prisoner of conscience. Tell them how he was illegally abducted for exercising his right under United Nations rights of Indigenous peoples and self-determination.

2.     Investigate the numerous reports by Amnesty International bothering on continued arrest, execution and State kidnap by Nigeria Police and military; and to punish those found to have played a part in committing the atrocious act.

3.     Plead with them to force Nigeria forces of occupation – the military and Police – as well as to stop the Buhari led Nigerian government to stop the murder of Biafrans, released of all unlawfully arrested and kidnapped Biafrans.

4.    Tell them how Biafrans are made to suffer in their land by the evil Nigerian state; and that Biafrans are looking up to them, to use their good offices in helping for the restoration and independence of Biafra.

(Thank you!) Support the restoration and independence of Biafra. (Thank you!)

US Gov’t, United Nations Office at New York.  Time to Call (3 pm to 11 pm Biafra Time)

United Nations Secretary General: Ban Ki-moon	+1 212 963 1234
President Barack Obama, White House	+1 202 456 1111
US Congress Direct Number	+1 202-224-3121 & +1 202 225 4361
US Senate Foreign Relations Committee	+1 202 224 4651
US House Committee on Foreign Affairs	+1 202 225-5021
Republican Majority Leader: Kevin McCarthy	+1 202-225-4000
Democratic Minority Leader: Nancy Pelosi	+1 202 225-0100
Republican Majority Leader: Mitch McConnell	+1 (202) 224 2541
US C-span	+1202 737 3220

EU, United Nations Office at Geneva. Time to Call (9 am to 5 pm Biafra Time)

European Parliament (Brussels)	+32 2 28 49013
European Parliament (Brussels)	+32 2281 6111
European Parliament (Strasbourg)	+333 8817 4001
European Parliament (Brussels)	+322 28 42111
United Nations Office At Geneva	+4122 917 4635
United Nations Office At Geneva	+4122 917 1140
United Nations Office At Geneva	+4122 917 2127

By Ifeanyi Chijioke 

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Abduction Of IPOB Activists & Their Imminent Death In DSS Custody: What The AGF Must Do As Chief Law Officer Of Nigeria by Biafra News Team Thursday, September 01, 2016 - 0

(Onitsha Nigeria, 1^st of September 2016)-Following high cases of suspected death of Nigerian citizens in the custodies of the security agencies and recent violent attacks launched by security forces in some high profile prisons across the country, the leadership of International Society for Civil Liberties & the Rule of Law (Intersociety) is deeply concerned that the abducted IPOB activists presently in incommunicado detention by the authorities of the Department of State Security; Nigeria’s secret police, may most likely die in the DSS solitary confinement under highly questionable circumstances.

Nigerians including rights and media activists have in the past weeks raised concerns about increasing deaths in detention and violent attacks in a number of detention facilities across the country including some maximum security prisons. Such deaths in detention have been reported in the EFCC detention facilities maintained and manned by the operatives of the Nigeria Police Force and the DSS. The authorities of the Nigerian Prisons Service have also alleged attempted prison breaks and used them as a cover to unleash violent attacks on such prisons with intent to kill high profile detainees who are in awaiting or undergoing trial and blame their death on “jail breaks”. One of the most recent of such State violent attacks was reported to have been launched at the Kuje Prison; close to the cell room of Citizen Nnamdi Kanu(POC), during which tear gas canisters with possible lethal substances were reported to have been recklessly used.

The authorities of the DSS have also gone rioting; abducting, shooting, torturing, incriminating and detaining IPOB activists across the country particularly in Southeast and South-south parts of Nigeria. We had in our two previous publications dated 26^th and 28^th of August 2016, raised alarm and informed all Nigerians and members of the international community of indiscriminate crackdown, arrest and long detention without trial or charge of IPOB activists by the DSS. We specifically cited the case of Citizen Chidiebere Onwudiwe, who was trailed and later abducted in his sleep in his residence near Port Harcourt in Rivers State, South-south Nigeria. Citizen Chidiebere Onwudiwe (Nigeria’s National Coordinator of IPOB) was abducted in the late night of 22^nd June 2016 and till date, a period of 70 days; he has not been charged to court or put on fair trial.

We cited another horrible case of Citizen Chukwuka Sunday Obasi (Nnewi-Ichi Coordinator of IPOB in Anambra State, Southeast Nigeria) who was ambushed in his sleep by DSS operatives in the late night of 16^th of August 2016 in his Amuwo-Nnewi residence; shot twice in his two legs before he was whisked away till date. The DSS operatives had earlier on 13^th of July 2016 raided the sleeping abode of Citizen Justice O. Udeh (another IPOB official in Abia State) in Port Court in Rivers State and abducted him in his sleep. Citizen Justice O. Udeh has neither been released nor put on trial till date.

On 26^th of August 2016, the DSS operatives, joined by the personnel of the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police Force in Abia State, Southeast Nigeria; ambushed a commercial Hummer Bus carrying the following IPOB activists: Citizens Ikechukwu Ugwuoha (Abia State Coordinator of IPOB), Asochukwu Ugochukwu, Sunday J. Okafor, Ekene Onuoha and Joseph Okorie (Ogbuawa) and other seven passengers. They were ambushed at Ugba Junction near Aba, handcuffed and blindfolded; before they were moved to the Ngwa High School temporary headquarters of the 144 Battalion of the Nigerian Army where they were beaten and tortured for over three hours, from where they were moved to the DSS office at Umuahia and detained till date.  

As we speak, they are still detained at the Abia State Directorate of the DSS, located near Government House where they are strongly believed to be undergoing torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatments or punishments. The five IPOB activists detained by the DSS; likewise Citizens Chukwuka Sunday Obasi and Justice O. Udeh, have been held solitarily and denied access to their families, doctors and lawyers. Some members of their families that visited the DSS office at Umuahia yesterday, 31^st of August 2016 were told that the DSS arrested their relatives, but “they have been transferred to Abuja”. This usually means something sinister per DSS and Police SARS: it could mean that the detainees have been “wasted” (killed in custody). In the instant case, it may have been told so as to discourage the detained IPOB activists’ relatives from further visiting the Directorate at Umuahia in search of their beloved relatives.  

It is also feared in some quarters that Citizen Chukwuka Sunday Obasi has died in the DSS custody following two gunshots he received from DSS in the course of his abduction in the late night of 16^th of August 2016. It is on record that arrested citizens shot and wounded by their arresters and detainers are rarely treated medically. It is also recalled that the leader of the Muslim Movement of Nigeria, Sheik Ibrahim El-Zaky Zaky (POC) was brutally shot severally and battered during the Army attacks and massacre of over 800 of his unarmed followers in December 2015. He was violently arrested and taken into custody. Till date, a period of nine months, he has neither been seen nor released or tried. He is believed to have been transferred to the DSS custody by the Nigerian Army and fears have heightened that he has died in custody.

The renewed crackdown on IPOB activists has not only heightened fears, but also forced hundreds of married women who are members and supporters of IPOB and its activism to abandon their children and marriages and go into hiding particularly in Aba, Abia State where the DSS and the Nigerian Army have let loose and gone on rampage. Among the 20 IPOB activists freed on 11^th of August 2016 by the Aba Magistrate Court 1, on account of the AGF directive; six of them are married women with kids and they have gone into hiding following the DSS crackdown. There are over 150 married women who are sympathetic to IPOB cause in Abia State alone and most of them have at least two kids each. Those kids and their fathers have been abandoned and uncared for till date.

It is shocking and alarming as why the DSS could be dissipating its energy and wasting the country’s lean resources by unleashing a crackdown on Citizens who never use or advocate violence while it turns blind eyes on the activities of murderous entities like the Fulani Terror Group or Fulani Janjaweed. The leadership and members of the Miyyati Allah Cattle Owners and Herders in Nigeria, who have become a criminal entity and individuals, are rewarded on daily basis for massacring hundreds of innocent and defenceless Nigerians every month, yet a group of unarmed and nonviolent citizens are hunted by the DSS with reckless abandon; to the extent that innocent and law abiding married women with toddlers are now forced out of their marriages and homes on account of the DSS recklessness.

We hereby call on the Attorney General of the Federation to call the authorities of the DSS and the Nigerian Army to order. It is a height of securitization recklessness and brigandage for the authorities of the DSS to flout and disrespect the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, upon which the recent directive of the AGF is predicated; by running riot on unarmed, nonviolent and defenceless citizens. The latest brigandage and rioting of the DSS must be cut to sizes!

The long periods and other unconstitutional measures adopted by the DSS in abduction, shooting and detention of IPOB activists are a clear case of the fact that “the DSS now exercises its powers of arrest, detention and use of force arbitrarily and has no single credible criminal accusation and evidence against the IPOB activists”, except its utter desperation using torture to concoct one. The silence of the Government of Abia State in the ongoing macabre act of the DSS in its State is also shocking.

The AGF is also called upon, as the Chief Law Officer of the Federation, to ensure the immediate cessation of the DSS atrocities under complaint. The Department must be stopped at all costs from its steady suicidal match into the abyss of lawlessness. There is no law in Nigeria that empowers the DSS to detain those it clamps into its custody for whatever reasons for 70 days without trial. The Department also grossly oversteps its statutory bounds by arresting, detaining, shooting and torturing citizens under “trial-by-ordeal” or jungle justice.

In the instant case, therefore, the DSS must be directed to free all the IPOB activists in its unlawful custody and if any of them dies in its custody, the Principal heads of the Department shall be held to account. The Department must be reminded at all times that crimes particularly those against humanity are not statute-bared! Blaming its regime atrocities of today on “the Buhari Administration”, when the latter must have ceased presidentially and democratically, will also not be acceptable to us.

The “Hissene Habre justice” will surely be replicated here at the appropriate time!!  

Signed:

For: International Society for Civil Liberties & the Rule of Law (Intersociety)

Emeka Umeagbalasi, Board Chairman

Mobile Line: +2348174090052

Email: info@intersociety-ng.org, emekaumeagbalasi@yahoo.co.uk

Website: www.intersociety-ng.org

Obianuju Igboeli, Esq., (LLB, BL)

Head, Civil Liberties & Rule of Law Program

Mobile Line: +2348034186332

Email: igboeliobianuju@gmail.com

Chinwe Umeche, Esq., (LLB, BL)

Head, Democracy & Good Governance Program

Mobile Line: +2347013238673

Email: chinwe.englewood@gmail.com

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