Presidency unruffled by US, EU position on IPOB, insists it’s a terrorist group

The Presidency has waved aside the refusals of the United States and the European Union to accept that the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is a terrorist group.

It insisted that the group remains a terrorist organization as proclaimed by court recently.

The Nnamdi Kanu-led IPOB, which has been clamouring for Biafra referendum was categorised as a terrorist group and proscribed by Nigeria’s Federal Government after the group clashed with Nigerian soldiers in Abia State.

But the US and EU declared that they do not see the group as a terrorist organisation.

In his response to that, the Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Prosecution, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, said that the position of the foreign nations makes no difference.

He said in a statement that IPOB activities qualified it as a terrorist group as defined by the provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2013..

Part of the statement read, “This is also an organisation that was hounding and killing Nigerians in Rivers and Abia States before the military intervention!

“This is a group that was burning police stations; killing police officers, throwing bombs at military convoys, threatening to make the country ungovernable, threatening to stop governorship election in Anambra State!

“Most importantly a court of competent jurisdiction -Federal High Court as presided over by the Acting Chief Judge, Justice Abdul Kafarati upon an application filed by the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation hinged on Section 2 (1) (a) & (b) of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act granted an order proscribing IPOB! So whether EU or United States of Nigeria or any foreign country says about IPOB is immaterial , irrelevant and of no moment!

“I have previously said that the international community should not meddle in our internal affairs because doing that will amount to an erosion of our sovereignty!

“The EU has no business absolutely and totally with our internal matters so if EU says it does not see IPOB as a terrorist group, it does not matter as far as Nigeria is concerned.

“It is inconsequential! We all know by the definition of a terrorist organisation within the meaning of the term as defined by the provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act , IPOB is a terrorist organisation! Also by its advocacy and modus of operation it is a terrorist organisation! It used to terrorise, harassing or intimidating those who do not subscribe it to its separatists ideology and ethnic bigotry before its proscription so it is a terrorist organisation!

Read also: ECONOMY: We can’t keep blaming PDP forever, APC group writes Buhari, Tinubu

“I want to add that the USA may say IPOB is not a terrorist organisation by US Law because it is a registered business concern in the State of California in the United States!

“However by Nigerian law a foreign company which is not registered by the Corporate Affairs Commission by the provisions of Section 53 of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2004 is illegal.

“And by Section 54 of the Companies and Allied Matters Act it is a criminal offence for a foreign company to operate in Nigeria without registration! So all this while IPOB was operating in Nigeria illegally!”

He further said that those who suretied Kanu risk imprisonment if he fails to appear in court on the adjourned date.

 

RipplesNigeria… without borders, without fears

Click here to join the Ripples Nigeria WhatsApp group for latest updates.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now