The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) yesterday expressed dismay over the move by the attorney representing Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, one of the sureties for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in the ongoing case to release some of its members in prison custody, to adjourn the case to a later date.

IPOB listed the members in prison custody to include Benjamin Madubugwu, David Nwawuisi, Bright Chimezie Ishinwa, and Chidiebere Onwudiwe, among others.

A statement made available to journalists in Awka by IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, noted that seeking another adjournment on the ongoing matter in court was a clear indication that the blackmail machinery of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Presidency was fully at work.

The statement reads: “We have no doubt that this adjournment was instigated by the Federal Government of Nigeria as another way to delay and deny justice to those who have now spent more time in jail than those convicted of similar offenses.

“Information reaching IPOB now from Federal High Court Abuja with Justice Binta Nyako presiding is that Abaribe’s lawyer has written to the court asking for an adjournment.

“The Government of Nigeria has succeeded in pressuring Senator Ebyinnaya Abaribe to ask for adjournment of the ongoing case of treasonable felony between Nnamdi Kanu and 3 others who have so far spent more time in prison than those convicted of similar offences.

“DSS and Aso Rock knew they had no choice than to release David Nwawuisi, Benjamin Madubugwu and Bright Chimezie Ishinwa so they decided to blackmail and intimidate Senator Abaribe into getting his lawyer to write to the court seeking yet another adjournment.

“This level of wickedness is unheard of anywhere in the world. Not minding that Justice Binta Nyako who is a Fulani woman, Attorney General of the Federation Malami Fulani man, DSS Director General Fulani man, lead prosecutor Labaran Fulani man all have natural hatred for Igbo people and Biafrans at large.

“Keeping David Nwawuisi and Benjamin Madubugwu in detention when they have spent more time in jail than those convicted of similar offences is an indescribable evil.”

IPOB noted that the DSS has been issued with a court order to release Bright Chimezie Ishinwa which they disobeyed.

Continuing, the statement reads: “He has been held in underground detention at DSS headquarters for over a year without trial. DSS doesn’t want to arraign him despite being in contempt of court.

“We still don’t know if Senator Abaribe is working closely with John Nnia Nwodo whose job it is to ensure that Igbo politicians don't ask questions regarding the plight of those illegally detained.

“They are releasing Boko Haram suspects with Boko Haram continually bombing, maiming, killing and kidnapping, the latest of which is this morning, while they keep detaining Biafrans. Even when we want to go to court to clear our names, they use adjournment after adjournment to keep Biafrans in jail. We say no to this level of judicial wickedness and impunity.”

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