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IPOB Faults ICC Over Buhari’s Address
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has said that the recent invitation of President Muhammadu Buhari to The Hague to present a keynote address to the International Criminal Court (ICC), was done in bad faith.
IPOB, in a press release signed by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Mr Emma Powerful, and made available to newsmen, yesterday, in Awka, stated that the refusal of the Federal Government, led by Buhari to release the duo of Shi’ite leader, Sheikh El-Zakzaky and former National Security Adviser, Col Sambo Dasuki (rtd), despite court orders disqualifies Buhari from such engagement.
It maintained that with the invitation to President Buhari, not minding his alleged penchant for flaunting or ignoring court orders, the current leadership of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which is mostly Africans, may lose the chance of providing other Africans the chance to lead the body in future.
Part of the statement read; “We condemn in the strongest possible terms, the statement credited to Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Alhaji Abubakar Mallami over the refusal of this Buhari’ administration to obey multiple court orders to release both Sheikh El-Zakzaky and former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki from extra judicial detention.
“The most recent ruling by Hon. Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, admitting Dasuki on bail has once again been ignored, so has numerous pronouncements by the courts to set Sheikh El-Zakzaky free. This flagrant disobedience of the rule of law is not only shameful but also an impeachable offence.
“Coming at the heels of Buhari’s lecture at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague on the virtues of rule of law and the commitment of his government to adhere to court orders, it is hypocritical and criminal for those that invited Buhari to address them at The Hague conference to keep silent as rule of law is being destroyed in Nigeria.”
IPOB said the President of the ICC, Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji and African Chief Prosecutor of the court, Madame Fatou Bensouda, both of whom are blacks, should cover their faces in shame for inviting a man they knew does not obey the law to address them on the need for a government to adhere to the rule of law.
It said further, “Should Africans be overlooked in the future for such sensitive appointments such as the ICC President or Chief Prosecutor, Africans should not complain of racism because such sensitive offices should be reserved for not only brilliant legal minds but also those who cannot be swayed by sentimental or material considerations.
“Inviting Buhari to address the ICC when he has steadfastly refused to obey the law when it comes to Dasuki, El-Zakzaky and many IPOB detainees is the greatest mistake the court has ever made.
“It doesn’t speak well of the diplomatic community in Nigeria, especially Britain, the colonial master and creator, to maintain a deafening silence in the face of unbridled tyranny. If Britain can offer its public opinion on the probity or lack of, in the conduct of elections in Ekiti State, surely, it has a moral obligation to admonish the ‘Buhari’ government on its refusal to obey the law.”
IPOB stressed that anywhere on earth the government was seen to be above the law, such society ceases to be regarded as democratic.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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