The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has rejected a call for amnesty from the President of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanu, declaring it “baseless and misguided.”
The group made their position known in a press release by IPOB spokesman Emmanuel Powerful on Friday.
According to IPOB, its members are not criminals seeking clemency, but freedom fighters demanding a referendum for Biafra’s self-determination. “We are not criminals… We are a self-determination agitation group,” Powerful said.
The group reiterated its central demands: the immediate release of their leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and a United Nations-supervised referendum for Biafrans. Kanu’s release, they argue, is non-negotiable given his recent acquittal by the Appeal Court and subsequent barred prosecution by the Supreme Court.
IPOB said it views Iwuanyanu’s suggestion as an insult and a potential attempt to divert their focus. Powerful added, “Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu should focus his efforts on the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and never suggest a false narrative of Amnesty for IPOB members.” They warn anyone advocating for amnesty “may not have it easy with us.”
The Supreme Court is expected to deliver a crucial judgment on Kanu’s release today, December 15th.
The Court of Appeal in Abuja had previously ruled on October 13, 2022, ordering Kanu’s release, citing his abduction, ill-treatment, and illegal transfer from Kenya to Nigeria to face charges. However, despite the court’s ruling, Kanu remains in custody as Nigerian prosecutors have appealed the decision.