Breaking: Nnamdi Kanu did not order IPOB to attack, arrest, anybody– Lawyer

Aloy Ejimakor, counsel to the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has denied reports that his client instructed supporters to physically attack, humiliate or arrest South-East governors and other Igbo political leaders while they were abroad.

Ejimakor said Kanu’s comments had been misinterpreted, maintaining that the IPOB leader only urged Nigerians in the diaspora to confront elected officials with questions about their performance in office.

According to him, Kanu’s position was that Nigerian political leaders, particularly those from the South-East, who neglected their responsibilities at home while frequently travelling abroad should be prepared to face questioning from Nigerians living overseas.

He stressed that Kanu did not advocate violence, assault or any other criminal action against public officials.

Ejimakor said the demonstrations envisaged by Kanu involved peaceful protests, questioning and heckling rather than physical attacks.

He maintained that Kanu never authorised his supporters to assault anyone and argued that public officials who had performed their duties responsibly should have no reason to fear being questioned by citizens.

The lawyer also referred to the attack on former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu in Germany, arguing that discussions surrounding the incident should take into consideration the applicable laws governing protests and public demonstrations in Germany.

Ejimakor further outlined a number of demands he said remained central to IPOB’s position.

These included the removal of the proscription placed on IPOB and its designation as a terrorist organisation.

He also called for the establishment of a truth and reconciliation process to examine military operations carried out in the South-East, particularly the September 2017 Operation Python Dance.

The lawyer demanded a public apology over alleged extrajudicial killings of IPOB members and the military operation at Afaraukwu, Abia State, where the home of Kanu’s family and the palace of a traditional ruler were affected.

Ejimakor also called for dialogue between the Federal Government and IPOB concerning the group’s demand for a referendum on the creation of an independent Biafran state.

He further sought the discontinuation of prosecutions involving IPOB members and urged authorities to refrain from additional arrests based solely on their involvement with the organisation.

According to Ejimakor, addressing these demands through dialogue could help reduce tensions and create an opportunity for a peaceful resolution of longstanding grievances in the South-East.