The Federal Government yesterday told a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja why it is not in a hurry to release the detained leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mr. Nnamdi Kanu. It claimed that its investigations revealed that Kanu, who it identified as the brain behind the recent clamour for the creation of a Biafra Republic, had already received huge sums of money to purchase weapons.

Government in a counter-affidavit before the court said that prior to his arrest, Kanu had already made enquiries about prices of all the weapons he intends to buy.

In the counter-affidavit by a senior officer with the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Ayo Ibitoye, it insisted that it would be in the interest of justice, peace and order, to allow the IPOB leader to remain in custody of the security agency.

Kanu, who is also the Director of Radio Biafra and Television, was on October 17 arrested in Lagos by security operatives, shortly after he arrived Nigeria from his base in the United Kingdom.

He was later arraigned before a Chief Magistrate Court in Abuja over allegation that he engaged in criminal conspiracy, managed and belonged to an unlawful society.

But on October 19 pleaded not guilty to the charge and was granted bail in the tune of N2 million. The court further directed the defendant to produce a civil servant of Grade Level 16, to stand as his surety.

However, the accused person alleged that the Nigerian government refused to release him from detention despite the fact that he had met the bail conditions.

The FG had, while the matter was pending before the magistrate court, secured an order from the high court to further detain Kanu for 90 days.

It was sequel to the order that government lawyer, Mr Moses Idakwo, asked Magistrate Usman to step down from the trial on the grounds that his court lacks the power and jurisdiction to prosecute terrorism charges.

Following an application by Kanu before the high court seeking to enforcing his fundamental right to freedom, government filed a counter-affidavit, explaining why he will not been released, despite the clear orders of the court.

Meanwhile, IPOB and the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) have declared a ceasefire so as to give the FG room for dialogue.

A joint resolution yesterday by Ugwuoke Ibem, National Secretary, MASSOB, and Emma Powerful, spokesman for IPOB, reads: “We have decided to halt our demonstration, protest to pave way for the much published dialogue on Nnamdi Kanu’s release. Our withdrawal from the major cities of Biafraland is not out of cowardice, but to prove maturity, professionalism as a decent self-determined group.

“We hereby issue an ultimatum to the Federal Government to prove their seriousness and sincerity on the much published dialogue on the release of Nnamdi Kanu. We shall continue with our non-violent self-determination on Biafra. MASSOB, IPOB will never relent or backside on the agitation for Biafra actualisation.”

•Adapted from Vanguard reports. Photo shows Nnamdi Kanu acknowledging cheers from supporters during one of his court appearances.

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