German court convicts IPOB members who attacked Ekweremadu

Four members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) have been convicted by germany for attacking former deputy senate president, Ike Ekweremadu.

WITHIN NIGERIA learnt that the four IPOB members have also served their sentences.

It was further learnt that the convictions which were handed out in August, went completely under the radar.

According to diplomatic sources in Germany on Friday, the four IPOB members were prosecuted for physical assault and sentenced to 20 days of labour “without pay”.

When contacted, the Nigerian embassy did not immediately respond to inquiry for the identities of the convicts.

Recall that the serving senator from Enugu was beaten up by Biafra agitators in 2019 in Nuremberg at an event organised by “Ndigbo Germany”.

Shortly after the attack, IPOB – a proscribed group which Nigerian government had declared a terrorist organisation — claimed responsibility for the attack which it said “should serve as a warning” to Igbo leaders “that any day we find them in a public event abroad, they will be humiliated”.

Nigerian government officials later informed newsmen that the Bavaria state police had identified four of the attackers in the course of their investigation.

The Nigerian embassy also mounted pressure on the German federal authorities to bring the attackers to justice following the initial reluctance of the state police to investigate the assault which was captured on video.

ARRESTED IPOB MEMBERS WERE ONLY CONVICTED BUT NOT DEPORTED

Contrary to social media rumours, no IPOB member was deported.

Under section 102 (1), chapter 3, of the German criminal code, attacks against organs and representatives of foreign states are punishable with fines and imprisonment.

“(2) In addition to a sentence of imprisonment of at least six months, the court may order the loss of the ability to hold public office to vote and be elected in public elections (section 45(2) and (5).”

Reports revealed that Ekweremadu was not on an official duty in Germany when he was attacked.

According to the Nigerian embassy, two of the attackers had initially filed an appeal against their conviction but later withdrew it.

“It was only the four persons identified that were sentenced to 20 days of labour without pay. The sponsors were not identified so they were not prosecuted,” the source said.

Although Ekweremadu could institute a civil case against the attackers, TheCable understands he is yet to do so.

A source close to the senator, however, said the lawmaker has no interest in the issue, although he is aware of the conviction.