Court grants IPOB members bail as MASSOB condemns attack on Nnia Nwodo’s residence

Use of IEDS worst for Nigeria, says Ohanaeze president

AFEDERAL high court sitting in Awka, Anambra State has granted bail to three members of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) who are standing trial for conspiracy and illegal possession of IPOB flags.

The IPOB members namely: Ugwu Friday, Emeka Okoye and Chinwekele Blessed were arrested on April 6, 2018 in Nnewi on their way from a burial ceremony for allegedly possessing IPOB flags.

The development, the Police claimed was punishable under section 2 (3) (i) of the terrorism prevention act, 2011 since the group was proscribed and charged at the Federal High Court, Awka.

When the matter came up for hearing, Justice H. Oweibo granted the accused bail after listening to the submissions of their Counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, who informed the court that an application for stay of execution of the proscription of the IPOB was still pending before the Court of Appeal, Abuja.

He had also argued that there was the likelihood of acquittal or dismissal of the proscription order based on the several challenges to it before the national and international courts and tribunals.

Justice Oweibo, therefore, granted bail to the accused on the condition of providing two sureties that include a civil servant on grade level 08 and above and another ‘responsible’ person with tax clearance certificate.

He adjourned the matter to Wednesday, May 2, to enable the Prosecution consolidate the charges into one.

Meanwhile, the Uchenna Madu-led Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has condemned the attack on the residence of President General of

Ohanaezendigbo, Nnia Nwodo.

This is coming as Nwodo raised the alarm over increasing rate of insecurity in the country describing the use of Improvised Electronic Devises (IEDS) against perceived enemy as the “worst and emerging trend of insecurity in the country.”

“As much as I am lucky that no life was lost in the explosion, but some other persons might not be all that lucky enough,” he said

In a statement yesterday, MASSOB said: “It is regrettable that the house of the president general of Ohaneze Ndigbo was bombed by enemies of Ndigbo who hate peaceful atmosphere but delight in evil.

“MASSOB assures that whoever is responsible for the operation must never go unpunished. We shall intensify our security efforts, vigilance and grassroots reawakening of security consciousness in Igbo land against our common enemies.

“MASSOB is, therefore, calling on Ndigbo to wake up from their political slumber. Ndigbo should know that our enemies are in our midst. We condemn the attack on Nwodo, who is an Igbo leader. Now, it is Nwodo, tomorrow who knows who will be their next target?