By Peter Okafor
Although the Federal Government has decided to take Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to Federal High Court Abuja on Thursday, there will be no lockdown in the South-East.
A statement by the IPOB Spokesperson, Emma Powerful on Wednesday said: “We wish to inform Biafrans, friends of Biafra and lovers of freedom that our Leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu will be in court tomorrow, December 2, 2021 in Abuja.
“We therefore, urge Biafrans living in Abuja and its environs to come out enmasse to solidarise with our leader.
“Meanwhile, there will be no lockdown tomorrow in any part of Biafra land as a result of the court appearance.
“Biafrans resident in Biafra land as well as visitors to Biafra land are free to go about their lawful businesses without fear of molestations or intimidation.
“We have not asked or authorised anybody to monitor or enforce any lockdown.
“Again, there will be no lockdown in Biafra land for tomorrow’s (Thursday’s) court appearance of our leader.
“Only Biafrans and friends of Biafra in Abuja and its environs that are encouraged to be at the court premises.
“As a non-violent movement, we urge everyone to remain peaceful and law abiding in all their conducts.
“Security operatives should also refrain from infringing on the fundamental rights of people who come to cheer our leader.
“We all know that our leader, Mazi Nnamdi is not being persecuted because of any crime other than his fight for our collective freedom.
“Therefore, we owe him a duty to stand by him until this darkness is over. We are all together in it.
“We commend the legal team of our leader for their untiring efforts to defend our leader who is innocent of the charges preferred against him.
“We urge all Biafrans to keep praying for our leader, and the full restoration of Biafra Republic.”
It is not clear why government decided to fast-track Nnamdi’s trial, having adjourned to January.
But it was gathered that the effect of the discussion of the Igbo leaders with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, may have yielded positive fruits as sources said the charges preferred against the IPOB leader might be dropped and released based on agreed terms.
