Instances cited by Nigerian military not enough to label IPOB a terrorist organization - Mike Ozekhome
- A Senior Advocate of Nigeria has condemned the proscription of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as a terrorist organization
Mike Ozekhome said the reasons given by the military for proscribing the group is not sufficient
- He called on the government to be fair to all citizens of the Nigeria
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Mike Ozekhome has condemned the proscription of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as a terrorist organization.
Ozekhome said all the instances cited by the Nigerian military were not sufficient enough to proscribe the group and its members as terrorists.
A statement by the renowned lawyer said there is no justification on the declaration made by the military.
He also decried the activities of Fulani herdsmen across the country, who he said are yet to be proscribed by the federal government.
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Ozekhome said: “I do not believe the instances cited by the Defence Headquarters to justify declaring IPOB a terrorist organization."
“The last time I checked, I can’t remember any of such organisation operating in the country being declared terrorist organisations.
“The herdsmen who go on rampage daily, maiming, rapiing, killing; those responsible for the Agatu massacre; Shiites massacre, Southern Kaduna pogrom, indiscriminate killings, brazen quit notices’ givers, across Nigeria, etc, have never been arrested, prosecuted, let alone been proscribed and stigmatised as terrorist organisations.
“We must surely have and operate two sets of laws for two sets of people in Nigeria. Nigeria, we hail thee. A government should be seen to be fair to all component parts of Nigeria," Ozekhome noted.
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However, contrary to Ozekhome, another SAN Rotimi Jacobs said, it is only the executive arm of the government that had the power to make such declaration.
Jacobs said the military made the declaration because it "can speak for the President”.
“It (the declaration) should be from the executive and I believe the military has the mandate of the President.
“The president has not said anything to the contrary, so I believe they are speaking the opinion of the President”.
Legit.ng earlier reported that the Nigerian military categorized the IPOB as a terrorists group on Friday, September 15.
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The military in a statement by the defence spokesperson said recent developments and activities of the group shows that its is a terrorists organization.
Also, governors in the South East Governors' Forum also banned the group, its activities and members nationwide.
You can watch this Legit.ng exclusive video of Nnamdi Kanu's lawyers reacting the army's invasion of his client's residence:
Source: Legit.ng
