…Says Igbo persecution nearing tipping point
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The family of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has absolved human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, of any complicity in the arrest and detention of Kanu’s younger brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, and his lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, during Monday’s #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest in Abuja.
The family, in a statement, also denied reports that a medical panel from the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) visited Kanu for the medical examination ordered by Justice James Omotosho.
According to the family, those circulating the false narrative that Sowore betrayed Kanu’s brother and lawyer are merely driven by envy because the activist accomplished what they lacked the courage to attempt.
It will be recalled that the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow peaceful rally was initiated and led by Sowore. The protest recorded huge success across many cities, especially in the South East, which was completely shut down on October 20 in solidarity with the pro-Kanu movement. Similar demonstrations were held in China, Germany, the United States, and other countries by the Igbo diaspora community.
The Kanu family demanded the immediate release of Prince Emmanuel, whom they described as “Kanu’s personal caregiver,” his lawyer Ejimakor, and all others arrested during the peaceful protest.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Mazi Kanunta Kanu expressed shock that some individuals were pointing accusing fingers at Sowore, describing such allegations as “mischievously incorrect.”
He accused some “selfish political elites from the South-East” of sponsoring falsehoods against Sowore out of shame that a non-Igbo had championed a cause they were too timid to undertake.
“Those accusing Sowore should stop it. Saying that he sold out Barrister Aloy Ejimakor and Prince Emmanuel Kanu is incorrect. That is a very wrong narrative.
“He did what he was supposed to do by mobilising Nigerians to protest against injustice. Those pushing this falsehood are ashamed that Sowore did what they could not do. Anyone pointing fingers at him is simply being mischievous,” the family stated.
The Kanus accused the Nigerian government and its institutions of complicity in the persecution of Nnamdi Kanu and, by extension, the entire Igbo race.
They maintained that Kanu’s continued incarceration is unjustifiable, especially as multiple court judgments have ordered his immediate and unconditional release.
The family further alleged that the arrest of Prince Emmanuel and Ejimakor was a deliberate attempt to emotionally destabilize Kanu ahead of his next court hearing scheduled for Thursday.
“The government knows it has no case against him; that’s why it keeps employing all kinds of tactics to weaken him,” the family said.
They described the arrest of the protesters as part of a broader plot to intimidate Nigerians and suppress dissent, insisting that the protest was peaceful and within the participants’ constitutional rights.
“It’s clear the police never obtained any court order stopping the protest. Otherwise, they would have published it by now,” the statement added.
On the purported NMA report presented in court claiming that Kanu was medically fit to stand trial, the family insisted that no NMA team ever visited him for medical evaluation as directed by the judge.
They challenged the NMA to clarify its role, alleging that the so-called report was fabricated.
“NMA did not visit Nnamdi Kanu as ordered by the presiding judge. If they didn’t examine him, where did that report come from? The so-called medical report was concocted,” the family queried.
They accused the federal government of overseeing the persecution of Ndigbo, warning that the growing injustice and marginalization were approaching a dangerous tipping point.
“It is disturbing that the President, the Inspector General of Police, and the judiciary are the ones supervising the persecution of Nnamdi Kanu and Ndigbo. This is shameful.
“Who are those behind insecurity in Igbo land? Who are those defying court orders for Kanu’s release while citing non-existent injunctions against peaceful protests?
“The oppressors should know that the time is fast approaching when they will no longer be able to suppress the people,” the family warned.
There has been widespread outrage and condemnation over the arrest of Kanu’s brother and lawyer.
