IPOB Accuses Wike, Uzodimma, Okorocha, Others Of Plotting Against Kanu’s Release, Issues Warning

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has revealed that its intelligence team has exposed a covert plan by certain prominent Southern politicians, Southeastern governors, politicians, and businessmen. They aim to lobby and exert pressure on Supreme Court justices to detain its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, following the court's judgment on December 15, 2023.

According to IPOB, the politicians and businessmen are pushing for Kanu to be remanded in the custody of the Department of State Services or Kuje prison. 

IPOB in a statement issued on Monday by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, identified those allegedly making the plot to include the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, billionaire businessman, Sir Emeka Offor from Anambra State, and Governors Francis Nwifuru, Peter Mbah, Hope Uzodimma of Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states respectively.

Others listed are former Governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha, oil magnate, Arthur Eze and a traditional ruler, HRH Cletus Ilomuanya. 

IPOB warned the politicians and businessmen against the manifestation of the alleged plot “or face severe consequences”.

It alleged that “the idea to keep our leader, Kanu in detention was brought forward by some” people “in our land who claim to be millionaires and politicians.”

“We call on Biafrans and particularly IPOB members worldwide to hold persons named responsible should anything untoward happen to our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and if he is not released on Friday 15th of December, 2023,” it said.

Powerful further alleged, “Some of these people played active roles in the kidnap and extraordinary rendition of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from Kenya to Nigeria and his continuous illegal detention and we have not forgotten. 

“President Ahmed Bola Tinubu's Government and the Supreme Court Justices of Nigeria must not oblige those pressuring them not to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu unconditionally on the 15th of December via the Apex Court's judgment. 

“The Federal Government and the Supreme Court of Nigeria cannot ignore the rule of law and consent to the wishes of selfish individuals working for their pockets and who are also against the Nigerian State. 

“This group of men are not only acting wickedly against Mazi Nnamdi Kanu but are also sabotaging the image of the Nigerian state. They are enemies of Nigerians and enemies of peace. 

“The IPOB movement worldwide calls on the Supreme Court of Nigeria, never to succumb to blackmail and intimidation from greedy people, and fail to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who had been illegally incarcerated for over 30 months.”

IPOB warned that “should the Supreme Court fail to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu on December 15, 2023, IPOB will equally hold the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Supreme Court Justices responsible, too”.

“We are patiently waiting to see if the Supreme Court Justices will be courageous enough to dispense justice. Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has not committed any crime known to law. 

“We are not begging for his release because he never committed any crime and has no charge against him. IPOB has endured enough provocations and persecution, and we will not endure the oppression of Nigeria and its security agencies anymore,” it added.