Nigeria: Continued controversy over the punishment of Biafra-activists

The Society for Threatened Peoples accuses the Nigerian government in Abuja of criminalizing Biafra-activists instead of entering a political dialogue – despite ongoing mass protests. “The controversy over the punishment of the Director of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, shows that Nigeria’s politicians prefer to shortsightedly rely on intimidation instead of dealing with the backgrounds of the rebellion. This approach will lead to more ethnic tensions and protests,” said the STP’s Africa-expert, Ulrich Delius, in Göttingen on Thursday. “The fact that President Muhammadu Buhari refuses to enter discussions about the marginalization of the Biafran people will not help – and it is a shame for Nigeria’s democracy.”
The human rights activist warned that the protest movement, which is calling for Kanu to be released, might have to expect a violent crackdown. Because of his critical reports and his commitment to strengthen the ethnic group of the Ibo in eastern Nigeria, former Biafra, the journalist is accused of conspiracy, intimidation and being a member of an illegal organization. He has now been kept detained for 90 days. Most recently, more than 40,000 Biafrans had taken to the streets on December 2. The police had used force against the demonstrators: According to eyewitness reports, at least nine Ibo and one policeman got killed. The police forces are denying that any protesters were killed.

Mass protests are expected for Thursday, because the Supreme Court is supposed to decide whether Kanu – who was detained on October 17, 2015 – can be released on bail. Kanu is also the chairman of the activist organization “Indigenous People of Biafra” (IPOB). The district court in Abuja had already arranged for his release in October, but the national Security Service DSS had enforced a further detention in a legally controversial manner. On Wednesday, the District Court of Abuja had acquitted him of all criminal charges. The prosecutor’s office had withdrawn its indictment, but is now planning to have the federal court charge him for “terrorism” and “financial support for terrorist activities”.

The reputable Nigerian human rights organization “Civil Liberty Organization” (CLO) also criticized that the court order to have him released from prison was ignored – and the organization accuses the authorities of ignoring court rulings again and again. The security authorities should rather focus on fighting Boko Haram than persecute IPOB protesters, demanded the CLO. Following the demonstrations in early December of 2015, Nigeria’s police had initiated investigations against 137 IPOB-demonstrators. Even the “National Christian Elders Forum” had demanded a fair trial for the accused Christian Biafrans. Almost 50 years ago, Biafra had declared its independence, but was recaptured by the Nigerian army. There has been no coming-to-terms with the genocide committed against the people of Biafra yet.

Header Photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/dfid/5567855427/UK Department for International Development via Flickr