BIAFRA: IPOB directorate accuses Judge of bias over Kanu’s bail denial

As Ohanaeze youths condenmn Uwazuruike over alleged anti-Biafra activities
By Nkiru Nnorom & Nwabueze Okonkwo
ONITSHA—The directorate of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has accused Justice John Tsoho of the Abuja Federal High Court 3 of bias for ruling that their leader, Nnamdi Kanu will not be granted bail based on  reasons that Kanu was a threat to national security; that if released, he might commit the same offence again and that there was a  probability that he might jump bail because he possessed dual citizenship.
Faults reasons for bail denial
In a press statement issued yesterday from its London headquarters, via e-mail, signed by its spokespersons, Emma Nmezu  and Dr. Clifford Chukwuemeka Iroanya, IPOB said for denying Kanu bail based on these three cardinal points,  the ruling of the judge was inappropriate,  biased, wrong, and must be overturned by an Appeal court Judge.

Nnamdi-Kanu

According to the statement, “While the first and the third reasons are very clear, we are at  loss with the second reason and do not know exactly what the Hon. Justice meant  by “might commit the same offence again.
“To the best of our knowledge, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has not  even been tried in court not to talk  of being convicted to have warranted the judge saying that ‘he might commit the same offence again.’
“Therefore, we do not understand the offence he was found guilty of committing and for which he will likely commit again if released, as Justice John Tsoho mentioned in his ruling.”
The statement asked rhetorically: “Is  there  a possibility that Justice John Tsoho misspoke  or that he never actually uttered this travesty of  a  statement? On the first reason adduced  that Kanu was a threat to national security, we are yet to get detailed information on what the Judge meant  by ‘threat to national security’  because  we know that Kanu is not associated  with Boko Haram  or any terrorist  organization and as such, we, again are pushed  to believe that  Justice Tsoho misspoke.
“Finally, on the third reason, we are shocked to hear that a denial of bail will be based on the accused person’s dual citizenship. Even though the Judge did not mention the  other country to which Kanu is a citizen, we know he was referring to Britain. But we also know that  there is extradition agreement between Nigeria and Britain and extraditing Kanu to Nigeria should he flee to Britain will not be a problem for the Nigerian government, so long as the extradition agreement between the two countries is still intact.”
Ohanaeze condemnation
Meantime, Ohanaeze Youth Council Worldwide has condemned Chief Ralph Uwazuruike over an allegation that the leader of  Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and Director of Radio Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, is being sponsored by some Igbo politicians to pursue the Biafra agenda.
They also blamed him for the clampdown and maiming of non-violent pro-Biafra agitators by security agencies, arguing that his blackmail was the root of the killings.
In a statement signed by the Council’s President General, Comrade Francis Oji  and the Secretary, Board of Trustees, Mazi Okwu Okwu, they described the allegation as baseless and unsubstantial, saying that the agitation for the restoration of Republic of Biafra as led by Kanu was ideologically focused and called on the group to maintain its non-violent stance in the struggle.
According to them, the present anti-Biafra activities by Uwazuruike were nothing but antics of a drowning man that has lost touch with reality and noted that the allegation was an attempt to discredit pro-Biafra agitators.
Shock and surprise
They said: “We are so shocked, touched and surprised that Uwazurulike of all people could fall so cheap as to call this well organized and non-violent pro-Biafra agitators ‘hoodlums’ benefiting from some Igbo politicians. We see this as part of his debased attempts to give a dog a bad name in order to hang it.
“Assuming without conceding that Igbo politicians are picking the bills of the pro-Biafra agitators as led by the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the question that ought to be asked is: has the pro-Biafra agitators after receiving such sponsorship veered out of the way to sabotage Biafra restoration project like Ralph Uwazuruike, who has for long been doing businesses with the Nigeria state and politicians at will.
Uwazuruike’s open fraternity with Nigerian politicians
“How can Uwazuruike reconcile his open political fraternity with Nigerian politicians and state by collecting money to anchor pro-Nigerian state campaigns as seen during the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, led presidency under Goodluck Jonathan.
“What of forming Nigerian Unity Alliance with the leaders of Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, Dr. Fredrick Fasehun; Major Hamza Mustapha (retd) and Alhaji Yerima Shettima of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum and Alhaji Asari Dokubo of the Niger Delta Volunteer Force, defending and championing one Nigeria under the erstwhile Jonathan administration?” they queried.