Ojukwu memorial anniversary: Bianca, Uwazuruike urge FG to release Nnamdi Kanu
Ojukwu memorial anniversary: Bianca, Uwazuruike urge FG to release Nnamdi Kanu
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Ojukwu, has appealed to the Federal Government to release the Leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.
Kanu, who has been in the DSS custody since 2021, is being tried for alleged treason.
The wife of the late Odumegwu Ojukwu made the call in a speech at the 13th Memorial Anniversary of her husband, held on Tuesday in Owerri, with the theme, “Unifying the Igbo Race”
She advised the people of the South-East to look inwards and appraise the Igbo race that made them who they are.
The former Miss Intercontinental title holder admonished them to be their brother’s keeper and love one another.
“In the olden days, we have Igbo unions in places like Kano, Lagos and Kaduna, among others, where the people discuss matters affecting them and how they are going to be in unity and assist one another.
“Today, we are celebrating Chief Dim Chukwuemeka Ojukwu our uncommon man, a man who stood for peace and equality for every person,” she said.
She expressed dissatisfaction that the peaceful atmosphere, which Igboland was known for no longer obtained in the region.
“There are so many killings, unrest and kidnappings going on today in the region, which is not how it used to be,” Ojukwu said.
She regretted that, presently, many people from the region could not go home again to bury their dead or give their children out to marriage due to the spate of unrest and insecurity.
She urged the people perpetrating this evil act in the region to desist from it and embrace peace.
She argued that some of the perpetrators were from the region and urged them to allow peace to reign.
She condemned the act of killing people in the region “in the name of sit-at-home directive from non-state actors”.
She further expressed regret that this was not what her husband stood for.
“Many people from the South-East have left the region for other cities, like Lagos and other places, due to the spate of insecurity in the area.
“I was saddened when I went to America and one Igbo person met me and told me that they are making donations in America to buy burial ground to bury their dead relations as insecurity in the region doesn’t allow them to come home to bury their dead ones or give their children in marriage,” she said.
Ojukwu said that the release of Kanu would help to ensure total restoration of peace in Igboland.
According to her, if Kanu is released, it will fasttrack development in the region.
In a speech, the organiser of the event, Chief Raph Uwazuruike, urged the Federal Government to release Kanu.
Uwazuruike, who is the leader of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, opined that Kanu’s release would help the region to experience peace again.
He said that the memorial service was to commorate Ikemba’s legacies, adding that “all the good things he stood for would not be forgotten”.
The Guest Speaker at the event, Prof. Protus Uzorma, said that the late Igbo leader “solidified the Igboland and made it to be a peaceful place until his death”.
Uzorma called on all Igbo to unite, adding that with peace in the region development would be assured.
He described the evil currently happening in the region as a new phenomenon, which was not part of the things the Igbo were known for.
He said that Igbo people were peaceful, loving, enterprising and assisting one another before the killings, unrest and kidnappings erupted in the region.
He urged those behind the ugly situation to stop forthwith in order for peace to reign. (NAN)
News
Report any officer asking for money for release of suspect as Police insist bail is free
Report any officer asking for money for release of suspect as Police insist bail is free
The Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has insisted that bail is free, and called on the public to report any officer asking for money to release a suspect on bail.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the FCT, SP Josephine Adeh, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.
Adeh spoke in reaction to public outcry that some police officers were demanding money to release suspects on bail in the territory.
She said the report of the erring officers would serve as a deterrent to others, adding that it was fraudulent to demand for money to release a suspect on bail.
Adeh blamed the yielding to such fraudulent demand on ignorance on the part of the victims who refused to stand on their rights.
“A similar case was reported where an officer demanded money to release a suspect on bail and when the matter was reported, we requested for evidence from the victim.
“The evidence was provided because the money was transferred to the officer’s account and actions are being taken on the issue.
“So, I encourage the public to take advantage of the FCT Police Complaint Response Unit (CRU) lines on 08107314192 to report such misconduct with evidence,” she said.
Adeh urged the public to always insist on their rights and refuse any form of payment to release a suspect on bail.(NAN)
News
Former President sentenced to five years in prison by Court
Former President sentenced to five years in prison by Court
South Korea’s former president Yoon Suk Yeol was on Friday sentenced to five years in prison for obstruction of justice.
The Seoul Central District Court found that the 65-year-old conservative, with the help of the presidential security service, had tried to prevent his own arrest and deleted multiple documents related to the investigation against him.
Yoon shocked the nation by imposing martial law on December 3, 2024, amid a budget dispute with the opposition, plunging the country into a political crisis.
He justified the drastic measure as necessary to protect South Korea’s democratic order and accused the left-leaning opposition of being infiltrated by communists with ties to China and North Korea, though he provided no evidence for these claims.
In a separate trial, prosecutors have sought the death penalty for Yoon on charges of incitement, with a verdict expected on February 19.
While the death penalty remains legally in force in South Korea, it has not been carried out for nearly 30 years.
Yoon’s actions previously alarmed international investors and led to withheld investments, damaging the reputation of South Korea as a political and economic model for the region.
Since last summer, South Korea has been led by President Lee Jae Myung, a left-leaning centrist and long-time political rival of Yoon. (dpa/NAN)
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JUST IN; Imam that famously shielded 262 Christians from death during Plateau attack is dead
JUST IN; Imam that famously shielded 262 Christians from death during Plateau attack is dead
The Imam of Nghar village, Abubakar Abdullahi in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, who famously sheltered 262 Christians during communal violence, has passed away.
The Imam’s Son Saleh Abubakar, confirmed the development to Daily Trust on Friday, saying that the cleric died on Thursday night at the Plateau Specialist Hospital in Jos.
The Son said, his father “died ten days after he was admitted” in the hospital.
“He was initially diagnosed with a heart problem. He’d go for check-ups and return. His health hadn’t been stable since the heart disease diagnosis.”
Imam Abubakar died at the age of 90. He is survived by 19 children – 12 sons and seven daughters.
Tecall that in June 2018, during violent, faith-based communal clashes that affected 10 villages in Barkin Ladi, Imam Abubakar sheltered 262 Christians in his mosque and residence until the violence subsided, saving them from certain death.
His courage earned him widespread recognition, including the International Religious Freedom Award presented by the United States Department of State in 2019.
The late cleric will be laid to rest on Friday (today) in Nghar village after the Juma’at prayers.
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