Ohanaeze, in a statement made as a reaction to his release and titled “Nnamdi Kanu-History Vindicates The Just,” expressed hope that whatever he may have lost as a result of persecution will be maximized by the everlasting blessings that come with valor.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, has stated that it received the judgment of the Court of Appeal on Thursday with great excitement, jubilation, and relief. This judgment discharged and acquitted Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), from all charges and acquitted him of all charges.
Ohanaeze, in a statement made as a reaction to his release and titled “Nnamdi Kanu-History Vindicates The Just,” expressed hope that whatever he may have lost as a result of persecution will be maximized by the everlasting blessings that come with valor.
In a statement that was signed by Ohanaeze’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Alex Ogbonnia, the Igbo apex body said, “In several drinking parlours, across the country, people of various categories were seen, popping champagne, clinking glasses, and dancing, signaling the end of an era in the history of the Igbo and Nigeria.” This was said in reference to the celebrations that took place after the announcement that the Igbo
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According to a report that was published earlier by SaharaReporters, the allegation of terrorism that the Federal Government had brought against the arrested leader of IPOB has been dismissed by the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja on Thursday. It released him from all seven counts that were pending against him before the Federal High Court in Abuja and cleared him of all charges.
The appellate court, which was led by Justice Jummai Hanatu, issued a landmark judgment in which it stated that the “Federal Government flagrantly violated the law when it forcefully rendered Kanu from Kenya to the country for the continuation of his trial; and that such extra-ordinary rendition, without adherence to due process of the law, was a gross violation of all international conventions, protocols, and guidelines that Nigeria is a signatory to, as well as a breach of the Appellant’
Ohanaeze stated in its response to the verdict that the whole world had been following the trial of Nnamdi Kanu with great interest, and it is thus self-evident that the verdict is a big boost to the image of Nigeria among the comity of nations. This was Ohanaeze’s reaction to the verdict.
“This is a positive step for democracy in Nigeria, and it’s a hint that better times are on the horizon. What took place today is an indication that there is a glimmer of hope at the end of this dark tunnel,” he remarked.
Ogbonnia made the observation that Ohanaeze, which is now being led by Ambassador George Obiozor, has maintained that Nnamdi Kanu is a phenomenon that reflects the injustice, planned estrangement, and unfairness that have been perpetrated on the Igbo.
“On the other side, Nnamdi Kanu is a symbol for all of the downtrodden people in Nigeria. Because of this, Nnamdi Kanu has come to represent the Igbo collective consciousness.
“Obiozor has constantly informed the federal government that the incarnation of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is an evil wind that blows nobody any good,” he added. “The incarnation of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is an ill wind that blows nobody any good.”
He stated that the fate of Kanu had caused tremendous apprehension, including the Monday sit-at-home, its enforcement by unknown gunmen, roadblocks on major roads in all parts of Igbo land, and ultimately the monumental loss of goods, especially in the South East of Nigeria.
He said that the sit-at-home had been enforced by unknown gunmen. This helps to understand why the momentous verdict handed down by the Justices of the Court of Appeal has sent waves of celebration across the country and even further beyond.
A portion of the statement went as follows: “Barack Obama, the former President of the United States, has bemoaned the fact that the bane of Nigeria and other Third World nations is the absence of robust institutions.” He lamented the fact that state institutions including the courts and Electoral Management Bodies, among others, were subject to manipulation.
“In a perfect democracy, institutions like the Electoral Management Body (EMB), which in our country is known as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), should be independent of the government.
There is no clear demarcation between the Electoral Management Body (EMB) and the government in our peculiar democracy due to the fact that the members of INEC are also appointed by the same administration. In any case, the events that occurred on this day in history will forever be remembered with a great deal of fervor.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo applauds the bravery and integrity displayed by the justices of the Court of Appeal in the rendering of this historic decision.
We would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to all of the legal luminaries who have given up their time, energy, and resources in order to defend Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and fight for justice. We wish to congratulate their indefatigability, unwavering dedication, and devotion to the cause.
“There are a number of brave Nigerians, social prophets, and cosmic agents who have spoken out against the imprisonment of Kanu. Throughout the course of the conflict, civil society and the fourth estate of the realm have been an incredible source of support.
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“The Igbo of the Diaspora, whose spirit has remained unconquerable. We applaud their bravery as well as their camaraderie. Whatever Nnamdi Kanu may have lost as a result of the persecution he faced, we are confident that he will make up for it in the form of everlasting awards for his courage.
“There is no limit to the delight that we feel. This is due to the fact that the South East of Nigeria used to be the geopolitical zone in Nigeria that had the highest level of peace. However, ever since April 2021, when an unknown group of gunmen overran the Owerri Correctional Centre, which resulted in the release of over 1800 prisoners from prison, the South East region has not enjoyed calmly.
“Today, it is Eureka! A day of rebirth and certainly a day that injects grassroots vigor and momentum into the Igbo renaissance. A magnificent day; a day of peace re-found; a day of peace that is profound. First and foremost, it is a momentous occasion because it paves the way for the unstoppable and infectious Nigerian revolution in the year 2023. We are overjoyed that the righteous have been vindicated by history today.”