Biafra: 5 shot dead celebrating Kanu’s release
Category: Nigerian National News
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FIVE members of Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) were yesterday
allegedly shot dead by securitymen in Onitsha, Anambra State while
celebrating the release by an Abuja High Court of Radio Biafra Director,
their leader, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu. The IPOB members who were jubilating at
the Bridge Head in Onitsha clashed with the security operatives
resulting in the death of five persons.
There was tension among motorists and commuters along the busy Niger
Bridge area, Enugu/Onitsha Expressway over fear of possible blockage of
the Bridge Head by the IPOB members.
The supporters, who on hearing about the court’s favourable verdict
on Kanu converged at the statue of the late Biafran leader, Dim
Chukwuemeka Odumegwu- Ojukwu in a large procession from Bridge Head to
the town when they were intercepted by the security operatives.
An eyewitness, who is also a trader at Bridge Head Market, Chibuike,
said trouble started when the IPOB members were asked to stop their
march towards the River Niger Bridge, but the group insisted and
continued, an action that led to the fracas and shootings.
He said the security agents shot sporadically probably to disperse
the crowd. They might have been hit by stray bullets, he noted.
Another source said a soldier was among the casualties but could not confirm whether he died or not.
As at Press time, traders and artisans who transact business around
the area had to shut their shops to avoid possible attack by the IPOB
members or possible stray bullets.
When contacted, the Police Area Commander for Onitsha, Mr. Philip
Ezekiel, told our reporter to call back later, saying there was
emergency in the town.
Earlier in the day and after three months of incarceration by the
Department of State Services (DSS), Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the
Federal High Court sitting in Abuja released Kanu.
Ruling on a bail application filed by his lawyer, Mr. Vincent
Egechukwu Obeta, Justice Ademola also set aside an order earlier granted
the DSS to detain Kanu for 90 days to enable the security agency
complete its investigation.
The judge said Kanu’s continued detention after three months without
trial, violated section 158 of theAdministration of Criminal Justice
(ACJ) Act 2015 and section 35 of the 1999 Constitution.
He said there was no law that permits the DSS or any other security
agency to detain any Nigerian beyond the period stipulated by the
Constitution, when in fact, there was no intention to put the person on
trial.
“From the available facts before the court, it is clear that the DSS
either lacked enough materials to prosecute the applicant in court or
yet to make up its mind on prosecution,” he said.
The judge, however, frowned at Kanu’s claim that Terrorism Prevention
Act 2013 (Amended) was illegal, adding that the Act is a potent
legislation to check terrorism.
A Chief Magistrate Court in Abuja had on Wednesday struck out a
criminal charge against Kanu by the DSS. Chief Magistrate Shauibu Usman,
in a ruling discontinued the trial of Kanu, following a motion to that
effect filed by the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Moses Idakwo.
The fact of the case, according to DSS report was that the accused
formed an unlawful society with the purpose of bringing into being a
Republic of Biafra. He was alleged to have proclaimed himself as the
leader of the Republic of Biafra and established a radio Biafra.
Meanwhile, a pro-democracy group, Human Rights Writers Association of
Nigeria (HURIWA) has applauded the unconditional and immediate release
of the IPOB leader.
HURIWA said Justice Ademola should have awarded Kanu N100 million
against DSS for detaining him for three months over his rights’
violation.
“HURIWA has therefore, expressed conviction that the Federal High
Court, Abuja division which freed Mr. Kanu, the political prisoner of
conscience should have awarded nothing less than N100 million damages to
be paid to the released detainee for the flagrant breach of his
fundamental rights and for prolonged period of psychological and
physical torture that the Department of State Services subjected him to
in the past weeks,” it said in a statement.
HURIWA through its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko
and the National Media Affairs Director, Miss Zainab Yusuf, commended
the court for this courageous decision but noted that the DSS would have
been heavily penalised for these abuses of the rights of a citizen.
Source: The Sun
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