The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has criticised the Nigerian Army for allegedly spreading false information regarding the arrest of the so-called “founding father” of IPOB and the Eastern Security Network (ESN). IPOB called the claim a calculated attempt to intimidate the judiciary and sway the legal proceedings involving its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, and the proscription of IPOB.
In a statement released on Saturday, IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful, urged the Nigerian Army to refrain from using misinformation to pressure judges. He asserted that this latest claim is just another failed effort to influence the judiciary against IPOB and its leader.
“The noble family of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), led by our resilient leader, Mazi Nnamdi Okwuchukwu Kanu, highlights this as the latest in a series of feeble attempts by the Nigerian Army to influence the upcoming case involving our leader and the proscription of IPOB,” Powerful stated.
He further questioned the credibility of the Army’s claim, mocking it by asking, “If there’s a ‘founding father of IPOB,’ where then is the ‘founding mother’? Such theatrics only serve to damage the reputation of the Nigerian Army.”
Powerful emphasized that IPOB’s history and leadership are widely known, and any attempt to fabricate details undermines the Army’s credibility. He questioned the Army’s knowledge, noting, “Does the Nigerian Army not realize that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is recognized as the founder and leader of IPOB? They are well aware of this fact, especially given the charges against him following the attack on his home on October 14, 2017.”
The statement accused the Nigerian Army of frequently staging press conferences before significant court dates to influence the judiciary, calling it a pattern aimed at delaying proceedings or encouraging biased rulings. Powerful urged the public to ignore what he termed “shameless propaganda” and concluded sarcastically, “Next time, perhaps they’ll introduce us to the ‘founding mother of IPOB.’”
