Simon Ekpa, a popular Biafra agitator, and separatist, has called on the outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari, Minister for Justice and Attorney-General, Abubakar Malami, SAN, for an unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu, the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra.
In a statement on Friday, the Finland-based lawyer and self acclaimed Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile, BRGIE, disclosed this.
According to him, the federal government, under the watch of Buhari, continued to keep Nnamdi Kanu despite several court orders requesting his release.
“We are writing to you to officially request an unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, to formally notify you of the establishment of Biafra Republic Government In-Exile, and to organize a referendum for a peaceful and bloodless exit of Biafra from Nigeria.
“The United Nations Human Rights Council Working Group on Arbitrary Detention indicted Nigeria’s Federal Government for the arrest and extraordinary rendition, torture and continued detention of the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra,(IPOB) Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, without due process. The council equally ordered you (the Nigerian government) to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu unconditionally and pay him adequate compensation for the arbitrary violation of his fundamental human rights (Vanguard News, May 29, 2022). You were given six months to execute this order. However, six months have expired, and you are still holding Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in captivity.
When Igbo Elders, led by Hon. Mbazulike Amechi, went to plead with the President to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the President insisted that justice must take its cause and that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu must face trial in court. Mazi Nnamdi Kanu went through trials in court with competent jurisdiction, in appeal number CA/ABJ/CR/625/2022, and the court delivered its judgement on October 13 2022, discharged Mazi Kanu of all charges you brought against him; hence the court proved him innocent, however till date, you are still holding him captive in your dungeon against the law.
“Your reason for kidnapping him was to quench the Biafra Liberation. We wish to inform you that your motive has failed woefully, as the Liberation of Biafra has gained global momentum and is being discussed at the highest level as the only solution for lasting peace.
Since you refuse to obey your court of law, are you implying and demonstrating that Nigeria is now a lawless country? The retired judge Oludotun Adefope-Okogie who was among the judges that gave the verdict that declared Mazi Nnamdi Kanu Innocent, stated that “The courts must stand up to their responsibility of calling the Executive to order when they engage in Executive Lawlessness. We are reminding you that the presidency and Attorney General of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that you are head-deep into executive lawlessness for holding Mazi Nnamdi Kanu captive against the law. It has further exposed you to the international community.
The present administration has failed Nigerians, and Injustice, inequity, insecurity, lawlessness, and religious and tribal bigotry have become the order of the day. Never has Nigeria been polarized in its history than in this administration. Biafra is determined to exit Nigeria due to these gross injustices and structural imbalances in Nigeria. Because of the above, the Federal Government has shown Biafrans that they are not safe, protected or equal stakeholders in the Nigeria project.
It should be pointed out here that the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights states that “every citizen in any African country has the right to say that he/she is no longer interested in remaining in that country”. Therefore, a call by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and the Biafrans for a referendum and peaceful exit from Nigeria is a human right and its not a call for war or hostility, so why is the presidency and attorney general of the federal republic of Nigeria bent on holding Mazi Nnamdi Kanu captive and are killing Biafra people for asking for a referendum? The Amalgamation of the Southern and Northern protectorates by the British in 1914 was to last for 100 years. The amalgamation document stated, “after 100 years, any region, tribe or race who are uncomfortable with Nigeria, can request to exit Nigeria”. You all are aware of all these, so why are you fighting the Biafrans and unleashing terror in Biafra Land?
However, you can never stop us. We have made the holding of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in lawless captivity more costly for you than releasing him unconditionally.
“We wish to inform you formally that we have moved on to form the Biafra Republic Government in Exile, and our people are solidly behind us. The Biafra Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE) of the Indigenous People of Biafra is established to undertake the political and administrative governance of the Biafra nation from outside of Biafra territory. They undertake diplomatic and foreign relationships, arrangements and agreements, negotiations and pacts with other nations and interest organizations of the world on behalf of the Biafra People. They are to be accorded all diplomatic privileges as due to any government official of their respective level. Biafra people, through their government in exile, are requesting you to free Mazi Nnamdi Kalu from your lawless captivity and organize a referendum for a peaceful exit of Biafra from Nigeria.
On May 29 2023, the Biafra Republic government In-Exile and its cabinet will give a vote of no confidence to all elected (selected) corrupt officials from Biafra Land. We invite you to observe this historic day which will be transmitted live on all platforms.
“The impact of the Biafra Republic Government in exile is being felt across the globe; that very soon, the world will welcome a new nation (Biafra) into the committee of progressive countries. Nigeria, because of your gross abuse of human rights, victimization of the innocent, insecurity, and threat to progressive civilization, the United States of America will soon declare Nigeria a Protected Territory Status, and you know what that means. It’s an indictment.
“Recently Nigeria sent their “unknown gunmen” to go and attack the convoy of American Consulate staff in Biafra land for no just cause.
The Biafra Republic Government in Exile wishes to remind the presidency and attorney general of the federation of Nigeria that power is transient and that there is still private life after serving in temporary political positions. Therefore, using this time, you still have to free Mazi Nnamdi Kanu unconditionally and organize a referendum for a peaceful exit of Biafra from Nigeria”.
In another development, an Israeli military general, Brig.-Gen. (res.) Amir Avivi, the founder of the IDSF, liked a comment suggesting that Biafra should be given a referendum.