Simon Ekpa, leader of a self-declared Biafra government, has issued a new ultimatum to the Nigerian Government, demanding the release of all detained Biafrans and the return of Igbo judges to the South-East region.
Ekpa made the announcement on Thursday through his official X handle, stating that the ultimatum will expire on October 27, 2024. He disclosed that the decision was reached during a cabinet meeting held the same day.
The separatist leader criticized Nigeria’s judicial system, alleging that it has fueled insecurity in the South-East by supporting unpopular governors, citing Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State as an example.
Ekpa further warned that if the government fails to meet his demands, all federal courts in the South-East would be shut down from October 29, 2024. He also called for non-Biafran judges to vacate the region.
“The Biafra Government in an emergency Cabinet meeting today 24.10.2024 voted and approved a resolution to demand Nigeria government to return every Biafran being detained outside Biafraland within 72 hours.
“The 72 hours will expire on Sunday 27.10.2024.
“Failing to adhere to this demand, the Biafra government also voted for the resolution to evict every non-Biafra judge and lockdown the following institutions: Federal Government Court of Appeal in Owerri; FG Court of Appeal in Awka, FG Court of Appeal in Enugu judicial division; All Federal High Courts in Biafraland and National Industrial Court in Biafraland.
“The Biafra government resolved that these institutions have brought anarchy, death, insecurity, and instability instead of justice, equity, and fairness.
“It was this court that brought Hope Uzodinma that have destroyed the lives of our women and children.
“These institutions will therefore be in lockdown indefinitely from 29.10.2024. Every judge that is not from Biafraland is hereby requested to go back to their region as their security will no longer be guaranteed,” he stated.