US embassy, spokesperson reportedly sued over endorsement of IPOB

The embassy of the United States of America in Nigeria has been dragged to court for its comment and stand on the proscription of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) by the federal government of Nigeria. In a suit; FHC/ABJ/CS/977/17, dated and filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, the plaintiff, Charles Ugwu, through his lawyer Simon Kanshio accused the US government, its spokesperson, Russell Brooks, of undermining the sovereignty of the Nigerian state which is anchored on her Constitution. Ugwu in the suit, prayed the court to make an order mandating the spokesperson to withdraw his statement that the US government does not see the IPOB as a terrorist organization. 


He also also prayed the court to declare the US embassy a promoter of terrorism activities in line with the Terrorism Act. Ugwu further asked the court to determine whether by a true interpretation of Sections 1, 4 and 5 of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act, 2013 and the United Nations Convention on Terrorism the first defendant’s statement endorsing the proscribed terrorist group named Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) does not amount to promoting terrorism in Nigeria? He also asked to court to determine whether the United States of America represented in Nigeria through the second defendant is no longer obligated to be bound by the UN Convention on Terrorism which the United States of America signed and ratified among other. 


Ugwu, an indigene of Enugu state who resides in Kano alleged that, Kanu and the members of the IPOB are agitating and calling for the secession of Biafra through a violent means thereby endangering the lives of many. He also alleged that the agitation has led to the killing of many and destruction of properties worth billions of naira. Ugwu said Kanu, who is standing trial and is currently on bail breached all his bail conditions and went about his agitation in a manner that is capable of inciting genocide against Igbos in the Northern part of Nigeria.


Akintoye said the President Buhari-led administration is nonchalant over the growing calls for restructuring of Nigeria. He warned that it has become clear to Nigerians that the present administration is not ready to restructure the current structure of the country.