ENUGU – The Federal High Court sitting in Enugu on Monday dismissed a case instituted against the Federal Government of Nigeria, former President Olusegun Obasanjo and a former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, by the Customary Government of Indigenous People of Biafra (CG-IPOB).
CG-IPOB had asked the court whether or not the indigenous People of Biafra have right to self-determination in a suit accompanied by a motion on notice brought to the court by the lead counsel for CG-IPOB, Barr. Emeka Emekesiri, a London-based lawyer, who also prayed the court to prosecute the former Nigerian leaders.
The court held that the case stand dismissed and further ordered the cost of N500,000 in favour of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to be paid by the lead counsel.
The judge was very angry that Barr. Emekesiri could summon the courage to sue Nigeria in court on behalf of Biafra.
However, Barrister Emekesiri was unfazed by the rebuke. Reacting to the judgment, international lawyer disclosed that his legal team would be proceeding to the appeal court to challenge the verdict of the lower court.
News Express learnt that the suit enjoys the support of other pro-Biafra groups, among them the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) led by Comrade Uchenna Madu; Movement of Biafrans in Nigeria (MOBIN); and Biafra Nations Youth League (BNYL), as well as apex Igbo youth body, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council (OYC). Representatives of the groups attended a Client Care Meeting organised in Enugu on September 28, 2019 by Mekadolf Chambers, during which they unanimously endorsed the suit by CG-IPOB. (News Express)