The Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, has saluted an Abia High Court Judge for his courage.
The Hon. Justice Benson Anya of the Abia High Court, had, on January 19, 2022, entered a judgement in a suit brought by the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, against the Federal Government, in Kanu’s favour.
Kanu had, through his Special Counsel, Barr. Alloy Ejimakor, dragged the Federal Government to Court, seeking compensation for the invasion, in 2017, of his country home by Nigerian Soldiers.
The invasion which recorded fatalities, occurred while Kanu was enjoying the bail granted him by a Federal High Court, Abuja, presided over by the Hon. Justice Binta Nyako. It forced Kanu to embark on a self exile, to, according to him, save his life.
Ruling on the case, Justice Anya asked the Federal Government to pay the IPOB Leader, the sum of One Billion Naira, apologise to him, and seek a political solution to his problem with the Government.
Reacting to the judgement, IPOB, in a statement signed by its Director of Media and Publicity, Emma Powerful, commended the Court, and said the ruling has redeemed some of the image of the Judiciary. It also commended Kanu’s Special Counsel, Ejimakor, for diligently prosecuting the case.
Following, is IPOB’s full statement on the ruling.
“Following the victory judgment received yesterday the 19th of January 2022 in Abia State High Court sitting in Umuahia, we, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), under the command and leadership of our great leader Mazi Nnamdi KANU, commend the Presiding Judge for his courage to declare the infamous military invasion of our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s house illegal.
“We commend the court for granting justice to our leader at a time Nigeria judiciary is fast losing the confidence of the world due to compromised rulings by some corrupt judiciary officers.
This latest judgment has to some extent redeemed the image of the judiciary in Nigeria and we ask other Judges handling IPOB matter to help salvage completely the battered image of judiciary in Nigeria in the eyes of your global colleagues in the judiciary.
“We equally appreciate the efforts of Barrister Aloy Ejimakor and his team of lawyers for securing true judgment in this matter.
Since September 14th , 2017Â when this atrocity was committed no Court in Nigeria has been brave enough to condemn the barbarity and brutality of the military until this judgement.
“Nigeria security agencies invaded our Leader’s compound in Afarukwu kingdom in Ibeku Umuahia on 14th September 2017 with the single objective to eliminate our leader Mazi Nnamdi KANU but God Almighty Chukwu Okike Abiama saved him from the evil hands of fulani controlled federal government security agencies.
“It is true that the award of #1billion damages can not equate or compensate the enormous loss of life occasioned by that barbaric military action, however the symbolism is very clear. The Umuahia High Court rulling exposed the truth about the goings-on to eliminate anybody found as supporter and sympathiser of Biafra agitation.
“The judgement also vindicated our leader who never jumped bail contrary to allegation but only escaped assassination by the military.
“The recent trump-up charges preferred against our leader Mazi Nnamdi are another indication that NIGERIA has nothing against him. The best thing for Nigeria government and its security is to release our leader Mazi Nnamdi KANU unconditionally and redeem their image across the world because the world is watching what is going on in Nigeria. NIGERIA should give us date for referendum to ascertain whether or not our people want to continue with the so called One NIGERIA.
“The only thing that can stop the agitation is date for referendum on the freedom for the people of Biafra. We will continue to win NIGERIA in every Court.”
