World Igbo Congress (WIC), the apex organization for all people of Igbo descent in the diaspora, has urged the Supreme Court of Nigeria to ignore the rumored pressure to postpone December 15,2023 scheduled ruling on the appeal filed by the federal government and order the unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu (MNK).
As freedom fighter and a leading advocapte of Igbo interests , WIC notes that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu have been discharged and acquitted by the lower courts, while a recent ruling of the High Court in Enugu State have quashed the secretive classification of IPOB as a terrorist group by the Federal Government on grounds that it violates Section 42 of the Nigerian Constitution.
Sir Festus Okere Chairman, of the World Igbo Congress, in a statement made available to this medium, in Abuja, maintained that the argument that IPOB is a terrorist organization has been quashed by the court of law.
“It is now settled that IPOB was never and is not a terrorist entity; it has always been and remains, a non-violent organization advocating for the right of self-determination of The Igbos.
WIC and most Igbos have always considered the extraordinary rendition and solitary confinement of MNK as part of the FGN’s overt and covert policy of
unjustified discrimination against The Ndigbo, especially during The Buhari
Administration
Recall that The Buhari Administration considered The Igbos as a “dot” and an
undeserving “5%” voters of The Nigerian polity.
This erroneous view, the WIC noted led to the former leader to an “unjustified and unconstitutional but consistent persecution of The Igbos,in whole or in part.
MNK was a collateral damage of that discriminatory and oppressive FGN
WIC and The Igbos are aware that MNK was extraordinarily renditioned in Kenya by the FGN; and that the Nigerian Courts and other International Tribunals have
held that it was illegal for the FGN to do so. Since June 27, 2021, MNK has been in solitary confinement in Nigeria.
Even with his poor health conditions, he has been denied the opportunity to obtain appropriate medical treatment.
WIC notes that many other sub-national groups\tribes within the Nigerian polity
including The Northern Elders Council (NEC), and The Oduduwa Nation, have
expressed similar view urging the right for self-determination as IPOB.
“None of their leaders or members are currently confined. Similarly, the leadership of BokoHaram, an internationally certified terrorist organization freely operating within
the Nigerian polity, appears to be pampered by the FGN.
“Regardless of the growing negative perception of The Supreme Court amongst the Nigerian populace, it continues to be the last hope of the common man”
“WIC believes that the Supreme Court will uphold the rule of law including the right of free speech and freedom of association enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution; and that it will ratify the numerous judgements and orders of its subordinate courts, and of various International Tribunals, which have all unanimously ordered the unconditional and immediate release of MNK.
“WIC, on behalf of The Igbos-within and outside Nigeria, urges the Nigerian Supreme Court to unconditionally order the immediate release of MNK.
