IPOB remains terrorist group, despite EU, US stance – Presidential aide

Special Adviser to the President on Prosecution, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, has described as inconsequential the recognition accorded the Indigenous People of Biafra by some foreign nations as a non-terrorist group, despite Nigeria’s recent proscription and designation of the group as a terrorist organisation.‎ 

Obono-Obla also disclosed that the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami(SAN), would soon charge the promoters and members of the proscribed group for allegedly operating illegally in Nigeria in violation of Section 54 of the Companies and Allied Matters Act.

He maintained in a statement which he released late on Sunday that IPOB’s activities qualified it as a terrorist group as defined by the provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2013.

The presidential aide said by its advocacy and modus of operation, IPOB terrorised, harassed or intimidated “those who do not subscribe it to its separatists ideology and ethnic bigotry before its proscription”.

He added, “So it is a terrorist organisation! This is also an organisation that was hounding and killing Nigerians in Rivers and Abia States before the military intervention!

“This is a group that was burning police stations; killing police officers, throwing bombs at military convoys, threatening to make the country ungovernable, threatening to stop governorship election in Anambra State!

“Most importantly a court of competent jurisdiction -Federal High Court has presided over by the Acting Chief Judge, Justice Abdul Kafarati upon an application filed by the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation hinged on Section 2 (1) (a) & (b) of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act granted an order proscribing IPOB! So whether EU or United States of Nigeria or any foreign country says about IPOB is immaterial , irrelevant and of no moment!”

He insisted that the designation of IPOB as a terrorist group with the backing of a court order proscribing it last week was Nigeria’s domestic affair, which foreign nations should not meddle in.

With particular reference to the European Union and the United States of America, Obono-Obla said meddling in Nigeria’s internal affair could erode the nation’s sovereignty.

-Punch