The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has accused President Muhammadu Buhari and the Department of State Service (DSS) of making false claims concerning its detained leader Nnamdi Kanu’s entry into Nigeria.

IPOB in a statement issued from its global headquarters in Spain and dated January 25, 2016, recalled that during his media chat of December 30, 2015, President Buhari claimed that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu entered into Nigeria without a passport. Mr. Buhari further stated that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has two passports (one British and one Nigerian).

The statement signed by IPOB Spokespersons, Barrister Emma Nmezu and Dr. Clifford Chukwuemeka Iroanya said: “For the avoidance of doubts and to put the records straight, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu legally left Britain through Heathrow Airport on his way to Nigeria. It is inconceivable to think of how he could be allowed to board an international flight without producing his passport at Heathrow Airport of all places! What Mr. Buhari indirectly insinuated was that the British Security and Immigration systems are in shambles, dysfunctional, and obviously compromised. On the other hand, this same Buhari’s statement when presented by DSS’ lawyer, was deemed inadmissible and was subsequently struck out by a Judge of the High court during the recent trial.

“We would like to remind the world that even if Mazi Nnamdi Kanu entered Nigeria without valid document/passport, the Nigerian Immigrations Law stipulates detention for a maximum period of 7 days followed by deportation. It is disheartening to read from some terribly compromised Nigerian media that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu was detained, albeit illegally, for over 98 days because of the false claims of Buhari and his DSS as noted above. We make bold to state that the statements by Mr. Buhari and his DSS were not only false but also indicative of people without grounded understanding of the workings and efficiency of British Security & Immigrations systems. Buhari and his DSS, by their statements, have shown a lack of understanding of Nigerian Immigration Laws. Their statements should be ignored and thrown to the trash and all well-meaning media organisations with high integrity should distance themselves from these ill-conceived and unintelligent utterances coming from Mr. Buhari and his DSS.”

•Photo shows Nnamdi Kanu.

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