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Nigerian govt links Nnamdi Kanu to 2,671 seized pump action rifles

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Nigerian govt links Nnamdi Kanu to 2,671 seized pump action rifles

The Federal Government has linked leader I’ld the ndigenous People of Biafra(IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu to the 2,671 pump action rifles illegally imported from Turkey into Nigeria.

This is contained in a counter-affidavit it filed to oppose the IPOB motion before the Federal High Court in Abuja challenging its proscription and designating as a terrorist group.

The weapons which were intercepted by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on four different occasions in 2017 alone, according to the Federal Government could be linked to Kanu, who is the leader of IPOB.

The Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent-Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr. Dayo Apata, made the submission as part of his application opposing IPOB’s motion against its proscription.

The counter-affidavit was filed by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and was deposed to by a litigation officer in the Department of State Services, Mr. Ayuba Adam.

In the counter-affidavit, Adam contended that IPOB was a violent group pretending to be non-violent, adding that a Turkish citizen, Abdukadir Erahraman, visited Kanu sometime in July 2017 when he was urging “Biafrans to rise up and fight a good fight for freedom.”

He said, “That a Turkish citizen, Abdulkadir Erkahraman, visited Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the respondent/applicant in Isiama Afara, Umuahia, Abia State sometimes in July 2017, and has been canvassing support for the secessionist agenda of the respondent/applicant. He also admonished Biafrans to rise up and fight a good fight for freedom.’

“That the Nigeria Customs Service had on four occasions this year intercepted pump action rifles totaling 2,671 illegally imported into the country. Copies of the report on arms smuggling is attached herewith and marked as Exhibit FGN 2A and 2B.”

Meanwhile, IPOB in a further affidavit filed by its lawyer, Mr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor, had refuted claims that the group had anything to do with the intercepted weapons.

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IPOB further affidavit read, “That contrary to the erroneous deposition in paragraph 6(h) of the applicant/respondent’s counter-affidavit which is denied, the alleged pump action rifles totalling 2,671, illegally imported into the country from Turkey, was not directly traced to Nnamdi Kanu or anyone associated with him.”

Recall that sequel to an ex parte application by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN) on September 20, 2017, that the acting Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Abdu Kafarati, proscribed and designated IPOB as a terrorist organisation.

However, IPOB in a motion filed before the same judge on September 22, had challenged the proscription order, describing it as unconstitutional.

 

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