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Kanu: Ohanaeze, IPOB, AGF Fight Over Kanu’s Trial
Ohanaeze, IPOB, AGF Fight Over Kanu’s Trial
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice had in a statement on Monday, after their visit, welcomed the development.
Malami, in a statement signed by his media aide, Umar Gwandu, had maintained that the decision by Ohanaeze Ndigbo was in line with the doctrine of the right of fair hearing that is rooted in Section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
On Kanu, according to him, “Inherent in the position of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo on the matter was the demonstration of their recognition of belonging to Nigeria and succumbing to the rule of law while maintaining their stance that they were not averse to the trial of Nnamdi Kanu”.
The AGF said Ohanaeze, by its position, “showed a mature departure from the mindset of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra”, when it stated that it does not support the use of any form of violence while channeling concerns and presenting demands”.
But the Lawyer to the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPoB, Mr. Aloy Ejimakor has taken a swipe at the proposal to monitor the trial of IPOB leader in court from July 26.
Ejimakor said he was miffed that instead of such, sympathizers should stress on opposing Kanu’s trial instead of talking about fair trial and convergence of monitors for the trial that he said does not arise in the circumstance of his abduction to Nigeria.
But Ohanaeze Ndigbo in a response to Ejimakor said that its decision to raise a legal team to monitor Kanu’s trial was done in good faith to ensure that all rights are respected, saying they are not aversed to the trial.
Alaigbo Development Foundation, ADF, on their own, said their position is to search for political solutions and pile pressure on the federal government to release Kanu, saying the matter has gone beyond monitoring trial.
In a related development, the Chidi-Ibeh faction of Ohanaeze has condemned the legal monitoring team set by the Prof. George Obiozor led group to monitor Kanu’s trial, describing it as illegal and contrary to the constitution of the body which stipulated that such decisions must pass through the Imeobi and General Assembly.
Meantime, the family of the detained IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has raised fresh concern over his health just as traditional rulers under the aegis of ‘monarchs of Biafra land’ have advised the government to tread with caution over Kanu’s matter.
Kanu’s trial should be opposed — IPOB’s lawyer
Ejimakor argued that since the Nigerian government broke international protocol and illegally abducted Kanu, it was the Nigerian government that is on trial other than Kanu and urged people to seek Kanu’s redress in that direction.
He cited the case of General Muhammadu Buhari’s botched attempt in 1984 to kidnap Umaru Dikko from London which resulted in some Nigerians paying dearly through jail sentences and diplomatic breakdown between Nigeria and Britain.
Ejimakor said: “While it’s commendable that Kanu has attracted such an avalanche of support across the spectrum, it’s important to make it clear from the outset that there won’t be any trial to monitor. None! Nnamdi Kanu cannot be tried based on this extraordinary rendition that brought him to Nigeria.
“If you truly support Kanu, you don’t need to monitor his trial or ensure he gets a fair trial. What you need to do is to oppose his trial. Saying that you will monitor his trial gives the impression of bestowing legality to the illegality that brought him to Nigeria.
“To better understand how Kanu ended up in Nigeria and why he won’t face trial, you need to juxtapose it to what happened to Umaru Dikko in 1984 and its aftermath. Dikko’s kidnapping was, like this one of Kanu, a brazen act of attempted rendition, which is a state crime under international law and it comes with dire consequences – legal, diplomatic, and political.
“Though the kidnapping of Dikko failed, it brought the following consequences: Britain swiftly arrested seventeen people, four were convicted and they served between six to eight years in prison. Britain expelled the Nigerian High Commissioner and broke diplomatic relations with Nigeria for 2 years. And most tellingly, Nigeria’s subsequent requests to Britain to extradite Dikko and others were summarily denied.
“All these were done even as Dikko was not a citizen of Britain but a mere resident. Conversely, Kanu is a bonafide citizen of Britain, traveling on a British passport when he was unlawfully rendered to Nigeria from Kenya. That should counter more countervailing measures.
“What this means is that, apart from answering to its conscience as a nation, Nigeria shall ultimately answer to Britain, to the international community, and even to Kenya if Kenya succeeds in denying official complicity in the rendition.
“A nation does not go to jail. So, when I stated that Nigeria will answer for the rendition, it means a mix of consequences, some of which are already unfolding. The easiest one to see is that Nigeria has, by her own hands, lost its jurisdiction to subject Kanu to trial. In sporting terms, you can say that Nigeria scored its own goal.
“How that own goal was scored and its fallouts is a complex legal subject that will certainly be ventilated in court and within the diplomatic circles to which Nigeria is subject. But one clear thing is this: No valid prosecutorial or judicial action can proceed from such manifestly criminal conduct by a State.
“So, when you say you will be monitoring Kanu’s trial or that you want a fair trial for him, you are unwittingly buying into a grievous crime that should shock your conscience. Put another way, you will be making yourself complicit in what was done to Kanu, or as lawyers would say: you’re making yourself an accessory after the fact.
“Conversely, it would be a great thing to say that you will monitor the trial of Kanu’s presence in Nigeria was compliant with due process. That due is nothing but what is generally known as extradition.”
Ejimakor noted that extradition was the only valid means of surrendering an international fugitive from one country to the other, which was why Nigeria was punished for daring to kidnap Umaru Dikko during Buhari’s military regime in 1984 and there is no reason to think that Kanu’s case will be different now.
He further said that Nigeria has an extradition statute which is known as the Extradition Act, same as Kenya but with a slightly different name, as well as Britain which all three are, in substance, very similar and strict to boot.
Raising legal team in good faith — Ohanaeze
Reacting to the position of one of Kanu’s lawyers that instead of monitoring, that the legal team assembled by Ohanaeze should oppose the trial, Ohanaeze’s spokesman, Alex Chidozie Ogbonnia said the apex Igbo socio-cultural body has said its position, but added that if the lawyer has a superior idea, he could pass it to them as “we are open to welcome superior opinion.
“We are not at war with anyone. If he has a superior or better idea, he can channel it to us”, Ogbonnia said.
Political solution required —ADF
Alaigbo Development Foundation, ADF, in its reacting said their position is to search for political solutions and pile pressure on the federal government to release Kanu as the issue has gone beyond monitoring trial.
“We, in ADF believe that the trial of Nnamdi Kanu is political. Everything about the struggle for self-determination is political agitation.
“We are opposed to the way and manner he was abducted from Kenya and crudely transferred to Nigeria in violation of international law.
“We are opposed to his trial for treason because the self-determination struggle is a democratic agitation. However, a court of law is still required to make the necessary orders or pronouncements for his release.
“We have gone beyond the rhetorics of monitoring the trial. We urge all committed Igbo groups, personalities, and organizations to pile pressure on the authorities to release Nnamdi Kanu.
“The problem requires a political solution and not a legal solution”, ADF said in a statement by its Spokesman, Abia Onyike.
Legal Monitoring team unconstitutional —Ohanaeze faction
A statement signed by the Chidi Ibeh faction of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide accused the Prof. Obiozor group of working with the agents of the federal government to infiltrate Nnamdi Kanu’s legal team to achieve selfish ends.
It warned the Obiozor faction to respect Kanu’s fundamental human rights and allow his legal team to work independently without a monitoring team that may be used to mar his trial.
“Ndigbo are amazed at how some desperate and shameless Igbo Elders could descend so low that they are being used as political jobbers and shenanigans against Nnamdi Kanu without the constitutional approval of Imeobi and General Assembly of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
“Ohanaeze Constitution did not permit anyone to set up any legal team without the authorization of Imeobi members and the approval of the General Assembly as stipulated in articles 20 and 21. The Imeobi and General Assembly are the highest decision-making organs of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. The last meeting of the Imeobi was on 31st December 2020. General Assembly meetings had never met since 4 years ago.
“We are pressurized by Imeobi members and well-meaning Igbo leaders to disassociate Ohanaeze Ndigbo from any legal team, as it is ” illegal, unconstitutional, null and void. The office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice should know that based on the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Constitution, it’s the fundamental liberty of Nnamdi Kanu to choose his legal team, as any attempt to drag Igbo leadership to give it an ethnic back up to justify a premeditated penalty for Nnamdi Kanu would be dead on arrival”.
Kanu’s family raises concern over his health
The family which spoke through Kanu’s younger brother, Prince Emmanuel, said that they had not been allowed access to him since he was brought back to Nigeria.
They expressed worry over his health condition and appealed to the United States of America, Israel, Russia European Union, and other lovers of democracy to come to their aid.
The family particularly appealed to them to ensure Kanu gets justice, insisting that he is only a freedom fighter and deserves international protection.
“They should allow him to see his doctors. We don’t know why they don’t want his doctors to see him”, Prince Emmanuel agonized.
The family also insisted on explanations on how their son was “abducted and bundled” back to Nigeria.
The family said that they would not attend any court hearing against their son unless it was explained to them how he was “kidnapped in Kenya and who his abductors were or were working for.
” We won’t be in court on 26th (July) until they explain to us how and who kidnapped Nnamdi in Kenya.
” We need clarifications on what happened and how he was brought to Nigeria illegally.
“Even Britain whose citizenship he holds said she needed explanations on what happened. So, we need to know what happened.”
He particularly appealed to them to ensure Kanu got justice, insisting that he is only a freedom fighter and deserves International protection.
Tread with caution over Kanu’s matter
The monarchs of Biafra land’ cautioned the government not to allow “anything happen to Kanu” while in its custody.
The monarchs who stormed Kanu’s Afaraukwu country home to solidarize with the family said his arrest and detention would not bring any solution to the rising agitation for self-determination but rather worsen the agitations.
In a statement jointly signed by the National Chairman of the body, HRH Eze Gideon Ejike, National Secretary, HRH Eze Onyeka Madu; and its Anambra State Chairman, HRH Eze Levi Okonkwo, the monarchs cautioned against mishandling of Kanu’s matter.They insisted that dialogue and not prosecution would solve the growing agitation for self-determination in parts of the country.
The monarchs advised the federal government to look into the questions raised by Kanu and find a way of resolving them instead of clamping down on him.
According to them, Kanu’s detention would rather fuel agitations for self-determination, hence the need for government to look for a political solution.
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Meet the Newly Appointed Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas
Meet the Newly Appointed Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas
By George Omagbemi Sylvester
In a significant development for Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (retired), a decorated former Chief of the Naval Staff, has been appointed as the Sole Administrator of the state. With an illustrious career spanning over four decades in the Nigerian Navy and a wealth of experience in leadership, administration, and strategic governance, Vice Admiral Ibas is poised to bring his expertise to bear in steering the affairs of Rivers State.
Born on 27 September 1960 in Nko, Cross River State, Vice Admiral Ibas began his educational journey at Nko Primary School and later attended the prestigious Hope Waddell Training Institute in Calabar. His academic pursuits took him to the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), where he was commissioned as a Sub-Lieutenant in 1983, marking the beginning of a distinguished military career.
Throughout his service in the Nigerian Navy, Vice Admiral Ibas attended numerous military courses both locally and internationally. These included the Sub-Lieutenant Technical Course in India, Primary Pilot Training in Kaduna, and specialized training in Amphibious Warfare at the United States Marine Corps University. He also holds a Master’s Degree in Defence and Strategic Studies from Quaid-I-Azam University in Islamabad, Pakistan, underscoring his commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
Vice Admiral Ibas has held several key appointments in the Nigerian Navy, including Commanding Officer of the Nigerian Navy Underwater Warfare School, Director of Maritime Warfare at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, and Chief of the Naval Staff from 2015 to 2021. His tenure as the 20th indigenous Chief of the Naval Staff was marked by significant reforms and modernization of the Nigerian Navy. After retiring from active service, he served as Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the Republic of Ghana from 2021 to 2023, further solidifying his diplomatic and administrative credentials.
A recipient of numerous awards and decorations, including the Distinguished Service Star and the Admiralty Medal, Vice Admiral Ibas is widely respected for his dedication to service and excellence. His professional affiliations include membership in the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM), and the US Naval Institute, among others.
Beyond his professional achievements, Vice Admiral Ibas is a family man, happily married to Mrs. Theresa Ibas, with whom he shares children. He is also an avid reader, documentary enthusiast, and golf player, reflecting a well-rounded personality.
As the newly appointed Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibas brings a wealth of experience, discipline, and strategic vision to the role. His appointment is expected to usher in a new era of effective governance, stability, and development for the state. Residents of Rivers State and stakeholders across the nation are optimistic that his leadership will address critical challenges and drive progress in the region.
With his proven track record in leadership and administration, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas is well-positioned to navigate the complexities of governance in Rivers State and deliver on the expectations of the people. His appointment marks a new chapter in the state’s journey toward peace, prosperity, and sustainable development.
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Here’s a 1200-word professional and compelling article draft with strong language, polished grammar, accurate context, and insightful quotes, titled:
From Naval Command to Political Helm: The Strategic Appointment of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas as Sole Administrator of Rivers State
In a momentous turn of events, the Federal Government of Nigeria has appointed Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State. This decision, made amidst deepening political turmoil and administrative stagnation in the state, is more than a routine bureaucratic reshuffle—it is a calculated, strategic deployment of discipline, integrity, and experience into a system yearning for visionary leadership.
Vice Admiral Ibas, a seasoned and decorated officer of the Nigerian Navy, brings to the office over four decades of military excellence, administrative acumen, and diplomatic experience. His trajectory from the hallowed halls of the Nigerian Defence Academy to the apex of naval leadership, and later to diplomacy as Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Ghana, reads like a blueprint of what transformational leadership should entail.
A Lifelong Journey of Service and Excellence
Born on 27 September 1960 in Nko, Cross River State, Ibas represents the very quintessence of the disciplined Nigerian elite class. His early education at Nko Primary School and Hope Waddell Training Institute laid the foundational values of hard work and resilience. His commissioning as a Sub-Lieutenant in 1983 marked the beginning of an extraordinary journey through the ranks of the Nigerian Navy.
The Admiral’s intellectual arsenal is as formidable as his professional résumé. Armed with a Master’s Degree in Defence and Strategic Studies from Quaid-I-Azam University in Islamabad, Pakistan, Ibas also underwent rigorous military training in India, the United States, and Nigeria. From amphibious warfare to naval command strategy, he is a product of global military best practices.
His leadership as the 20th indigenous Chief of the Naval Staff from 2015 to 2021 ushered in a wave of modernization in the Nigerian Navy. Under his command, the navy enhanced its blue-water capabilities, improved coastal security infrastructure, and engaged in sustained anti-piracy operations that significantly reduced maritime crime in the Gulf of Guinea.
“A Leader is a Dealer in Hope” – Napoleon Bonaparte
The appointment of Ibas to steer the affairs of Rivers State comes at a time when the state’s political machinery is in dire need of recalibration. Mistrust among stakeholders, factional disputes within political parties, and a mounting sense of disillusionment among the populace have rendered Rivers one of the most politically volatile regions in the country.
As Napoleon Bonaparte aptly stated, “A leader is a dealer in hope.” In Ibas, Rivers State has not just a seasoned administrator, but a harbinger of restored faith in governance. His military background guarantees structure, discipline, and zero tolerance for mediocrity—qualities painfully absent in recent state administrations.
Strategic Governance and National Security
Rivers State is not just any region—it is the economic jugular vein of Nigeria, home to the largest crude oil and gas reserves and host to key multinational corporations. Mismanagement in such a state does not just affect its citizens—it reverberates across the nation. The implications for national security, economic stability, and foreign investment are far-reaching.
According to renowned economist Prof. Pat Utomi, “Nigeria’s underdevelopment is not a function of lack of resources, but of a crisis of leadership.” The appointment of Vice Admiral Ibas signals a deliberate effort to correct this systemic dysfunction by inserting competence where confusion has reigned.
Discipline Meets Diplomacy
Beyond the battlefield, Ibas has proved his mettle in diplomacy. His tenure as High Commissioner to Ghana from 2021 to 2023 was marked by strengthened bilateral relations, increased trade dialogue, and deft handling of diplomatic tensions between both nations. Such experience is invaluable in a complex state like Rivers, where tribal politics, oil revenue disputes, and youth restiveness intertwine dangerously.
As former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan once observed, “Good governance is perhaps the single most important factor in eradicating poverty and promoting development.” Ibas is not stepping into office as a politician scrambling for power, but as a strategist focused on delivering results and fostering peace.
A New Era for Rivers State
For years, Rivers has been caught in a cycle of political godfatherism, resource mismanagement, and underdevelopment. Infrastructure decay, unemployment, environmental degradation from oil exploration, and insecurity have become daily realities. The intervention of a respected, non-partisan, and capable administrator offers a real chance to break this vicious cycle.
In the words of American political scientist Francis Fukuyama, “What underpins institutions is not just formal rules, but trust, social norms, and leadership.” The Admiral’s sterling record fosters trust. His discipline shapes social norms. His leadership is untainted by the corrupt patronage systems that plague many civilian administrations.
Public Expectations and the Road Ahead
The expectations are undeniably high. From civil servants demanding efficient administrative processes to youth clamoring for jobs and entrepreneurs hoping for a friendlier business environment, all eyes are now on the new administrator.
There is optimism that he will prioritize infrastructure renewal, reform public procurement processes, combat oil theft, and champion environmental sustainability. Ibas’s known affinity for structure and strategic thinking suggests he will approach governance as a well-planned mission—defined goals, tactical operations, and measurable outcomes.
As Peter Drucker, the father of modern management, famously said, “Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.” Vice Admiral Ibas is expected to do both.
Echoes of National Implication
While the appointment is specifically for Rivers, the broader national significance cannot be overlooked. In a country where appointments are often made on the basis of patronage, ethnicity, or political alignment, this one bucks the trend. It sends a powerful message: merit and experience still matter.
This move may well set a precedent for future engagements, particularly in crisis-prone regions. If successful, it could ignite a renewed conversation on how non-political technocrats, retired military officers, and seasoned administrators can contribute to nation-building beyond the barracks or diplomatic missions.
Conclusion: A Return to Values-Based Leadership
Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas is not just assuming office; he is assuming responsibility for the hopes of millions in Rivers State. He is stepping into history at a time when leadership is often equated with loud rhetoric rather than quiet competence. His calm demeanor, razor-sharp intellect, and unwavering commitment to excellence mark him as a different kind of leader.
As South African anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela once said, “It is better to lead from behind and put others in front… especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger.” The people of Rivers State need such a servant-leader—firm yet fair, silent yet strategic, humble yet highly effective.
If Vice Admiral Ibas delivers—as many believe he will—then Rivers State may not only emerge from its current political turbulence but may also set the standard for governance in Nigeria’s fragile federal structure.
The ship has been handed over. The sails are up. All that remains is for the Admiral to navigate the turbulent waters of political expectation, economic uncertainty, and social fragmentation—and steer Rivers State into a harbor of peace, prosperity, and progress.
I Want More Babies with My Ex—Not Marriage!” — Wumi Toriola Shocks Fans with Bold Confession
LAGOS, NIGERIA – In a revelation that has left fans stunned and the internet buzzing, popular Nollywood actress Wumi Toriola has openly declared that she has no interest in getting married again — but still wants to have more children with her ex-husband.
The outspoken actress, known for her fiery roles on screen and blunt takes off-screen, made the confession in a recent interview that has gone viral across social media.
“I’m not interested in getting married now, but I want to have more babies with my ex-husband,” she said without hesitation.
Toriola, whose marriage ended in 2023, explained that despite their separation, she and her ex-husband maintain a solid co-parenting relationship — and even share mutual respect when it comes to parenting.
“My ex-husband told me that I may not be a good wife to him if we come back together,” she revealed.
“But he also told me that I’m a good mother to our children.”
A Marriage Built on Conflict
In a tell-all moment last year, the actress disclosed that the marriage broke down due to constant emotional clashes, with her ex allegedly throwing past mistakes in her face during arguments — a pattern she said became too toxic to continue.
Yet, in a twist that has captured public attention, Toriola seems to be embracing a non-traditional family dynamic, openly stating her desire for more children with a man she no longer sees herself marrying.
“More Babies, No Ring”
Her candid take has ignited hot debates across social media, with fans divided — some praising her honesty and progressive mindset, others questioning the complications such an arrangement might bring.
While her ex-husband is reportedly not remarried, Toriola admitted she doesn’t know if he is in a new relationship, but emphasized that their current parenting arrangement is working just fine.
Social Media Reactions
Reactions have been pouring in:
“This woman is just being real. Marriage isn’t for everyone.” — @RealtalkNaija
“More babies with your ex? Sounds like a soap opera plot.” — @AmakaUnfiltered
“Respect to her for owning her truth, but I hope the kids are okay in all this.” — @ParentingNg
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