News

We’ve No Plans to Attack Northerners, Others in Igboland – IPOB

Published

4 years ago

May 13, 2022

Eric

Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has assured that it has no plans, whatsoever, to attack Northerners or any other non-indigenes living in Biafran territory.

Reacting to the internal memo from the Nigeria military, allegedly intercepted by IPOB intelligence unit, the M. Branch, the group maintained that Biafrans are the only race that will defend a visitor or sojourner against his own brother/sister, because their culture and the land of Biafra forbid injustice.

A statement released by the IPOB Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, yesterday, and made available to newsmen in Awka, reads: “Based on the internal memo from the Nigerian military, intercepted by IPOB intelligence unit, the M.Branch, we the global movement and family of the IPOB, led by Kanu, wish to reiterate, for the umpteenth time and assure all non-Biafrans resident in Biafra land, as well as the general public, that IPOB has no plans, whatsoever, to attack Northerners or any other non-indigenes living in the Biafran territory.

“The reference No. of the memo from the Nigerian military headquarters, Gariki Abuja is AHQ DAOPS/G3/240/197/1, dated 5th of May 2022 and dispatched to 82 division Enugu.

“This malicious and fallacious memo, intercepted by our M. Branch, emanating from the Nigerian military, is simply the figment of the imagination of the purveyors. We are aware of the avowed plan of the Nigerian army, together with other security agencies to instigate violence in Biafra land, as well as other parts of Nigeria, then turns around and accuse IPOB, a peaceful freedom movement.

“We saw them play this out during the Ghana- Nigerian match at the MKO Stadium in Abuja, even though they had credible intel that Fulani terrorists were planning to attack the stadium. Their intention then was to create distrust between Biafrans and Yoruba nation.

“Now they want to play the same game by this attempt to create distrust and confusion between Biafrans and Northerners living in Biafra land, with the singular aim of jeopardising and endangering the lives of Biafrans resident in Northern Nigeria.

“The Nigerian Army working in collaboration with the Department of State Security (DSS) must know that their gimmicks and antics are dead on arrival because IPOB have continued to protect non-indigenes resident in Biafra land against any form of intimidation or attack from Fulani Herdsmen.”

The Guardian

News

Appeal Court Affirms Ruling Barring VIO from Impounding Vehicles, Fining Motorists

Published

3 days ago

December 4, 2025

Eric

The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Thursday upheld the judgment that stopped the Directorate of Road Traffic Services and Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) from seizing vehicles or imposing fines on motorists.

In a unanimous decision by a three-member panel, the appellate court found no basis to set aside the Federal High Court’s ruling of October 16, 2024, which restrained the VIO from harassing motorists.

The appeal filed by the VIO was dismissed for lacking merit. Justice Oyejoju Oyewumi delivered in the lead judgment.

The high court had earlier ruled, in a judgment by Justice Nkeonye Maha, that no law authorizes the VIO to stop motorists, impound vehicles, or impose penalties for alleged traffic offences.

The case arose from a fundamental rights suit (FHC/ABJ/CS/1695/2023) filed by lawyer Abubakar Marshal.

Marshal informed the court that VIO officials stopped him at Jabi in Abuja on December 12, 2023, and seized his vehicle without lawful reason. He asked the court to determine whether their actions violated his rights.

Justice Maha agreed and ordered the VIO and its agents not to impound vehicles or impose fines on motorists, describing the actions as unlawful. She held that only a court can impose fines or sanctions.

She ruled that the VIO’s conduct breached the applicant’s constitutional right to property under Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 14 of the African Charter. She further held that the VIO has no legal authority to seize vehicles or penalize motorists, as doing so infringes on rights to fair hearing, movement and presumption of innocence.

Although Marshal, represented by Femi Falana, SAN, requested ₦500 million in damages and a public apology, the court awarded ₦2.5 million.

The Directorate of Road Traffic Services, its Director, its Abuja Area Commander at the time (identified as Mr. Leo), team leader Solomon Onoja, and the FCT Minister were listed as respondents.

They appealed the decision, but the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal.

News

Tinubu Nominates Ibas, Dambazau, Enang, Ohakim As Ambassadors

Published

4 days ago

December 4, 2025

Eric

President Bola Tinubu has nominated Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, the immediate past sole administrator of Rivers State and a former Chief of Naval Staff, as a non-career ambassador.

Tinubu also nominated Ita Enang, a former senator; Chioma Ohakim, former First Lady of Imo State; and Abdulrahman Dambazau, former Minister of Interior and ex-Chief of Army Staff, as non-career ambassadors.

News

Senate Confirms Chris Musa As New Defence Minister

Published

4 days ago

December 3, 2025

Eric

The Nigerian Senate has confirmed General Christopher Musa, the former Chief of Defence Staff, as the country’s new Minister of Defence.

The announcement was contained in a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu.

Musa, who retired from the military just 40 days ago, was nominated by President Tinubu on Tuesday to succeed former Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, who stepped down on health grounds.

According to Onanuga’s statement, the Senate approved Musa’s appointment on Wednesday through a voice vote, following a thorough screening session during which lawmakers posed numerous questions.

“Senate confirms Gen. Christopher Musa as Minister of Defence The Senate has confirmed the former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, as the Minister of Defence. The Senate confirmed Musa on Wednesday via a voice vote after a rigorous screening session in which lawmakers asked him many questions,” the statement read in part.