October 20, 2021

[GIST] American Lawyer, Fein Drags Compatriot, Sheehan To Court For Asking US To Designate IPOB As Terrorist Group

[GIST] American Lawyer, Fein Drags Compatriot, Sheehan To Court For Asking US To Designate IPOB As Terrorist Group

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The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) says its American lawyer, Dr. Bruce Fein has filed a lawsuit against his compatriot, American scholar, Dr Ivan Sascha Sheehan following his call on the United States of American government to designate the group as a terrorist organisation.


Sheehan, who is the executive director of the school of public and international affairs at the University of Baltimore, in an opinion article published in The Washington Times on October 4, gave reasons why IPOB should be designated as a terrorist group by the United States.


The American don said, “Nnamdi Kanu, IPOB’s leader, is clearly unconcerned. That he feels no need to even disguise his support of terrorism is worrisome.
 
“Though IPOB’s principal aim is to restore a breakaway state of Biafra in the southeastern parts of Nigeria, Mr. Kanu’s rhetoric has become increasingly strident, ‘I don’t want peaceful actualization (of Biafra).’
 
“Mr. Kanu has said through his Radio Biafra channel, used to project threats, instructions, and propaganda into Nigeria from the safety of London, ‘If they don’t (give us Biafra), they will die.’


“Neither does Mr. Kanu make idle threats. The December revelation of IPOB’s 50,000 strong-armed paramilitary wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), complete with a Swastika-style flag, marked the end to all pretenses of being a peaceful movement.
 
“What had been largely unspoken was publicly declared. Since then, violent IPOB attacks on both security personnel and civilians have surged by a terrifying 59%; deaths by 344%.”


He also said tagging the secessionist group with a terror label would “hit IPOB’s wallet hard”, adding that if done, no organisation that uses the US currency would be able to conduct legal transactions with IPOB.
 
“As soon as the designation is applied, no organization that utilizes US currency would be able to legally conduct transactions with the organization. By cutting off IPOB’s funding, the U.S. would weaken the 50,000 strong paramilitary outfit, and provide Nigeria’s security forces room to train their sights squarely on ISIS-affiliated Boko Haram in the Northeast of the country.
 
“A terror designation would put a stop to this influence peddling. It would also mean the group could not use the US or its Western allies, like London-based Radio Biafra, to further their cause.
 
However, IPOB, through a statement by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, which was obtained by SaharaReporters on Tuesday reacted that Sheehan was paid to write against the Nnamdi Kanu-led group.
 
It revealed that the American constitutional lawyer, Fein will also address the world on Wednesday on the matter.

It titled the statement ‘Kanu's Lawyer To Address A World Press Conference On Wednesday The 20th Of October 2021 – IPOB.’

The statement read, “The global movement and family of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ably led by our great leader Mazi Nnamdi KANU, wishes to announce to the general public that our legal luminaries in the US, led by Dr. Bruce Fein, IPOB attorney in USA has taken the corrupt and compromised professor of Baltimore University, Dr. Ivan Sascha Sheehan in USA to court for writing falsehood and junk against the Indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB).
 
“The compromised Dr. Ivan was paid to write a false and malicious article against IPOB and its leader which was published by Washington Times invariably asking the US State Department to designate a peaceful Self Determination movement like IPOB as a terrorist organisation. The law of America will catch up with him for telling lies against a peaceful movement.
 
“Our legal team in America led by Bruce Fein has instituted a case against him in a competent US court. This paid agent will testify before the court why he accused IPOB wrongly and who paid him to do the hatchet job.
 
“We also wish to announce that the IPOB group of lawyers in the zoo led by Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor, will address a world press conference in Abuja tomorrow, Wednesday, 20th October, 2021 between 10am and 11am in the morning. We, therefore, urge members of the public to watch out for the press conference where some burning issues surrounding our Leader's court appearance and the struggle generally will be addressed.”
 

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[GIST] #ENDSARS: Why Northern Youths Must Rise Now! By Kunle Wizeman Ajayi

[GIST] #ENDSARS: Why Northern Youths Must Rise Now! By Kunle Wizeman Ajayi

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Two limitations debarred the full blown victory of the Great #EndSARS: the Workers' absence; and the lack of its spread accross the whole country, especially the core North. These factors are yet to be resolved one year after the #LekkiMassacre that halted the most amazing, massive, and longest mass movement of youths in the world's most populated black country. 

The working class are actually the most effective class in any social movement because of their economic power. Labour creates wealth. This is why strikes are the most feared of all protest cultures. Strikes are a combination of shutdown and mass rallies. The greatest strike so far is the January 2012 Uprising Against Subsidy Removal. And it was forced by mass protests in the streets led by the civil society organisations. But till October 20th when the Lekki massacre was conducted by the rulers, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) never joined the #EndSARS mass movement. Weakened and compromised, the Labour bearucracy maintained a criminal hold on icing the cake of the #EndSARS protests as it transformed into #EndBadGovernance at most barricades. This led to the youth movement calling for *Youth Strike* on October 18th and started implementations on the 19th. It was such a watershed that would have beaten off the criminal hold of the NLC and TUC on the needed downtool of workers. For the two days of the Youth Strike, workers complied happily. But the state responded by drowning the #EndSARS movement in blood. 

 

While the #EndSARS held across Benue; Plateau; Nassarawa; Kwara and other states of the North Central, only Adamawa, Taraba states had marches on records. The North West was scanty except for Kaduna and Kano. But most of the North moved massively during the Post-#EndSARS Palliative liberation s from malls stacked by thieving politicians. 

 

One year after, insecurity is ravaging the whole of the North and the mass of youths seems isolated from the national movements. This is largely to the war situations and the fact that the elites are muscling the media spaces to sell fake public opinions make it seems as if Northern people are against the South and are therefore contented with the genocides going on there. This has blocked national solidarity for hashtags like #EndInSecurity. The true mood is so sad and angry all through the North. The people want political actions and have been marching all along. Social movements across the South should network more with genuine movements in the North. This can work seriously through unconditional solidarity actions against insecurity in the North. No where is actually safe all over Nigeria as I type.

 

As youths are marching all over Nigeria on Wednesday to mark one year after the cruel cordinated massacres from Lekki to Oyigbo, we all need to start mobilizing the working class to rise out of their downpressing by NLC and TUC. We need the strikes to strengthen the mass movement. 

 

Also, our hearts must go out to the North over the war by both state and Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists. We must start organising political actions in solidarity with Northern youths and workers. We must abandon all the divisions fostered on us from the top. What suffers Lagosians, also suffers Sokoto people. 

 

The time for all Oppressed to united and fight is now so our #EndSARS heroes never die in vain!

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[GIST] Your Days Are Numbered – Buhari Sends Empty Threat To Bandits Who Slaughtered 30 Residents In Sokoto

[GIST] Your Days Are Numbered – Buhari Sends Empty Threat To Bandits Who Slaughtered 30 Residents In Sokoto

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President Muhammadu Buhari has sent the usual warning to bandits, saying that “the clock of your ultimate destruction is ticking as you will no longer have a place to hide.”

The president stated this, while reacting to the killing of over 30 people in Goronyo in Sokoto State on Sunday by bandits.

President Muhammadu Buhari
See Also Insecurity UPDATE: Sokoto Community Deserted As Bandits Open Fire On Villagers At Busy Market, Kill 49 0 Comments 1 Day Ago

According to a statement by Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, on Monday, Buhari said, “The days of the bandits are indeed numbered because the military capabilities of our forces are being boosted by the acquisition and deployment of advanced equipment.”

“The bandits are living in the fool’s paradise of invincibility, but reality will soon dawn on them harder than ever before. The bandits are currently under desperate pressure because of the intense and sustained air and ground operations against them in their hideouts by our security forces.

“The cowardly attacks on innocent people by the bandits show a rearguard action of criminals under pressure. But they will have no place to hide and our gallant security forces will not relent in the current offensive to defeat these callous enemies of humanity.” 

The statement said Buhari appealed to all Nigerians “not to despair because this administration is determined more than ever before to protect Nigerians from murderous criminal gangs that have no respect for the sanctity of life.”

“The President extended his sympathy to the families of the victims of the Goronyo attack and called on the people to continue to be patient with the military strategies on how to deliver the crushing blow to these bandits.”

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[GIST] Kaduna Government To Bar Unvaccinated Civil Servants From Offices

[GIST] Kaduna Government To Bar Unvaccinated Civil Servants From Offices

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The Kaduna State Government has announced that starting from October 31, all civil servants yet to receive the COVID-19 vaccine will be barred from entering their offices.
 
Visitors will, however, be permitted entry upon presentation of evidence of registration with the state Ministry of Health for vaccination, while wearing their facemasks.
  File photo used to illustrate story.
This was disclosed in a statement titled, ‘Compliance with Covid protocols and vaccination required to access KDSG offices from 31st October 2021,’ signed by the Special Adviser to the Kaduna State Governor on Media and Communication, Muyiwa Adekeye.
 
The statement read, “As it continues to balance public health considerations and the safe pursuit of livelihoods, the Kaduna State Government is constantly monitoring COVID-19 infections in the state and reviewing the pattern of spread.
 
“Based on these reviews, the State Covid-19 Taskforce has advised the government that the risk of mass infection by Covid-19 remains. This necessitates that careful attention must be paid to continued enforcement of preventive measures and encouraging residents of Kaduna State to practice personal responsibility more consistently. This is in line with the FORWARD campaign launched last year to help citizens adopt preventive measures as the state reopened after months of lockdown.
 
“The commencement of vaccinations against Covid-19 is the most significant development in the public health space since the virus began its tragic worldwide spread. Thus far, only a minority of Nigerians have been vaccinated against Covid-19 because of supply issues.
 
“But there is no such constraint against universal compliance by all residents of Kaduna State with the simple tests outlined in the FORWARD campaign: wear Facemasks, Observe physical distance, practise Respiratory hygiene, Wash hands often with soap and water or use hand sanitizer, Avoid Large gatherings, Remain indoors as much as possible and eat immunity-boosting Diets.”

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[GIST] REVEALED: Details Of Amended Charge Filed By Nigerian Government Against IPOB Leader, Nnamdi Kanu Ahead Of Thursday Trial

[GIST] REVEALED: Details Of Amended Charge Filed By Nigerian Government Against IPOB Leader, Nnamdi Kanu Ahead Of Thursday Trial

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The Nigerian government, in an amended seven-count charge against the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, alleged that the latter's broadcast led to the killing of security agents in the South-East region. 

The amended charge, which was filed by the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, borders on treasonable felony and Kanu’s alleged involvement in acts of terrorism.
Nnamdi Kanu

It was stated that the federal government included a fresh allegation that Kanu, in furtherance of acts of terrorism, issued a deadly threat that anyone that flouted his sit-at-home order should write his or her will.

The government alleged that as a result of Kanu’s directives, banks, schools, markets, shopping malls, fuel stations were not opened for businesses, with vehicular movements grounded in the South East region of the country.

It said the action amounted to an offence contrary to and punishable under 1(2) (b) of the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act, 2013.

According to Vanguard, the earlier charge read partly, “On or about the 28th April, 2015 in London, the United Kingdom done in a broadcast on Radio Biafra monitored in Enugu, Enugu State and other parts of Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, referred to Major General Muhammadu Buhari, GCON, President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a paedophile, a terrorist, an idiot and an embodiment of evil, knowing same to be false and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 375 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C. 38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004”.

He was alleged to have committed treasonable felony, an offence punishable under Section 41(C) of the Criminal Code Act, CAP C38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria

He was also alleged to have between 2018 and 2021, through Radio Biafra, professed to be a member of IPOB, a proscribed organization in Nigeria and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 16 of the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act, 2013.

Meanwhile, in count five of the charges, the government said that Kanu “on April 22, 2021, in London, United Kingdom, on Radio Biafra, monitored in Enugu and other parts of Nigeria, done an act of terrorism in that you incited the other members (followers) of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, a proscribed organisation in Nigeria, to look for security personnel, their family members through a Radio Biafra on 102.1FM monitored through the IPOB Community Radio, and you, thereby, committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 1 (2) (h) of the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act, 2013.”

Attached in support of the amended charge dated October 14, included a seven-paragraphed affidavit of completion of investigation deposed to by one Loveme Odubo, a prosecutor in the Federal Ministry of Justice.

The government equally lined up five witnesses to testify in the matter, among whom are officials of the Department of State Service, DSS, and one Ronald S. who was identified as the manager of a Hotel in Lagos.

Kanu is set to be re-arraigned before trial Justice Binta Nyako on Thursday.

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