The federal government of Nigeria has been dragged to court by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), over allegations extra judicial killing. Seven others were also charged alongside the federal government,with the IPOB seeking compensation for members who were either killed or injured by security operatives during the pro- Biafra protests in some cities in the southeast. In the suit marked as; FHC/ ABJ/1S/1035/2015, filed by; Okere Kingdom Nnamdi and Co, the Trustees of Kingdom Human Rights Foundation International also urged the court for an order “granting the unconditional and immediate release of members of IPOB who are in detention in prisons, police and Army custody and further restrain respondents from further harassment of the applicants who are peacefully and non-violently exercising their rights to self-determination, freedom of association and expression.”
According to IPOB, the action of the security agencies ran contrary to the provisions of sections 39 and 40 of the 1999 Constitution and Articles 1, IV, XIX and XX of the African Charter on Human Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act.
The group also sought the order of the court to declare the onslaught against IPOB members by security agencies as a crime against humanity, unlawful, cruel, inhuman and a violation of their rights to peaceful assembly, freedom of association and right to self determination.
According to Breaking Times, the group is demanding N100 million for families of each of the nine IPOB members who were killed and N50 million for each of the 18 injured during protests which took place on October 20 and December 2, in Anambra, Imo, Ebonyi, Bayelsa, Rivers and Delta states respectively.
Joined in the suit are the President; Attorney-General of the federation; the National Assembly; Chief of Army Staff; Inspector General of Police, Commissioners of Police in Imo, Anambra, Abia, Enugu, Ebonyi, Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers states; Commandant-General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and Director-General, State Security Service.
Meanwhile, the IPOB has been warned by the Lagos state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The warning comes on the heels of hints that the pro-Biafra group is plotting to stage a mass demonstration in Lagos. In a statement made by Joe Igbokwe the APC spokesman, the party warned that it will not allow politically sponsored hoodlums masquerading as pro-Biafranprotesters or any other group to plunge Lagos into crisis.