The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has filed a formal communication with the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The petition, obtained from another IPOB’s lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor’s Twitter handle, is targeted against Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State over the killings in Obigbo in 2020 of IPOB members.

The petition filed by Bruce Fein, international lawyer and spokesman for Nnamdi Kanu, leader of IPOB, was addressed to the ICC Chief Prosecutor, Karim Khan, Information and Evidenced Unit, Office of the Prosecutor, Post Office Box 19519, 2500, CM The Hague, The Netherlands.

Fein, in the submission, dated September 28, 2022, is asking the ICC to charge Governor Wike with genocide and crimes against humanity against Biafrans.

The lawyer’s submission reads: “Submission of Bruce Fein, international lawyer and spokesman for Nnamdi Kanu, leader, Indigenous People of Biafra charging Governor Ezenwo Nyesom Wike of Rivers State Nigeria with conspiracy, genocide, and crimes against humanity against Biafrans by knowing particpation in protracted and systematic murder, extermination, starvation, denial of necessary medical care and shelter, arbitrary imprisonment, torture, rape, theft, and persecution based on political opinion, religion, or ethnicity.”

Obigbo, a major Igbo settlement in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State, was in the news for negative reasons during the recent #EndSARS protests hijacked by hoodlums.

This, according to claims, was because some Igbo youths said to be IPOB members allegedly clashed with youths from the north, a situation that degenerated to violence, compelling Governor Wike to make a broadcast outlawing IPOB in the state.

Wike also imposed a curfew on the entire Oyigbo council area.

He placed an N50 million bounty on IPOB leader in the area.

But IPOB’s leader Nnamdi Kanu placed double that amount on Governor Wike’s head.

Soldiers moved into the community following Wike’s broadcast with allegations of killings; torture and destruction trailing their operation.

The soldiers were also alleged to have gone from house to house in search of Igbo youths who were branded IPOB members.

The development attracted the attention of international and local civil societies, who raised alarm over the gory pictures seen on social media.

Wike, who was fingered as inviting soldiers alleged to be wreaking havoc denied it, saying he never invited any soldier to kill any Igbo man or any person. (The Nation)

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