4 weeks ago
9
By Nwabueze Okonkwo
ONITSHA — The enactment of the Biafra Independence Movement/Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (BIM/MASSOB) has confirmed that its person and Ijele Ndigbo, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, has voluntarily offered to look successful tribunal and attest successful favour of the detained person of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, arsenic 1 of his defence witnesses successful his ongoing proceedings connected treasonable charges.
In a connection issued connected Sunday via WhatsApp, the BIM/MASSOB enactment said the determination reflects a “pragmatic approach” to addressing issues surrounding Kanu’s prolonged detention.
According to the connection signed by Mazi Chris Mocha, the group’s Director of Information and Senior Special Assistant connected Media and Publicity, “This pragmatic attack challenges Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the Igbo National Assembly, and different Igbo groups to vehemently protestation the oppression of their radical and talk retired successful their defense.”
Describing Uwazuruike arsenic a respected Nigerian of Eastern descent whose stance against the marginalization of his radical is good known, BIM/MASSOB emphasized that isolated from starring a non-violent and non-secessionist self-determination question advocating for the rights of Igbo-speaking communities crossed the South-East and parts of Delta, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, and Bayelsa States, Uwazuruike has consistently accused the Nigerian authorities of treble standards.
The connection recalled that erstwhile Uwazuruike was granted partial bail connected Friday, October 26, 2007, by a Federal High Court successful Abuja—after spending 2 years and a time successful solitary confinement—he questioned wherefore helium should beryllium released temporarily to hide his precocious mother, Ezinne Monica Uwazuruike, portion 10 of his members, including Comrade Uchenna Madu and Mr. Ambrose Anyaso, remained successful detention astatine Keffi Prison.
After the burial connected Saturday, January 19, 2008, Uwazuruike reportedly returned to the Imo State Police Command, Owerri, connected January 22, demanding to beryllium taken backmost into custody.
BIM/MASSOB quoted him arsenic saying: “It is morally incorrect for maine to enactment a time longer extracurricular situation erstwhile my colleagues successful the struggle, charged with the aforesaid offence, are inactive languishing successful Keffi Prison.”
The radical added that Uwazuruike had accused the Nigerian authorities of applying treble standards by releasing leaders of different taste movements—such arsenic Alhaji Asari Dokubo of the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force (NDPVF) and Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) leaders Dr. Frederick Fasehun and Otunba Gani Adams—along with their members, portion his ain followers remained incarcerated.
It further noted that Uwazuruike, aft being refused re-arrest by past Imo State Deputy Commissioner of Police Ahmed Yusuf, sat by the roadside successful beforehand of the constabulary office successful Owerri for hours, insisting helium would not permission unless taken into custody.
Describing Uwazuruike arsenic Ojukwu’s successor, the connection said: “Just a fewer days ago, arsenic Ojukwu’s successor to the prestigious chieftaincy rubric of Ijele Ndigbo, Ralph Uwazuruike, successful a viral unrecorded video, announced his determination to service arsenic 1 of the defence witnesses for the detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.”
“We applaud our person for this pragmatic and non-violent attack and for his willingness to articulation different advocates successful demanding Kanu’s release,” BIM/MASSOB stated.
The radical concluded by saying: “By taking this bold stand, Ijele Ndigbo has challenged the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, South-East governors, Igbo lawmakers, and each Igbo groups to vigorously protestation the oppression of their radical and talk retired successful their defense.”
The station BIM/MASSOB confirms Uwazuruike’s voluntary connection to attest for Nnamdi Kanu appeared archetypal connected Vanguard News.
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