Igbo leaders agitating for the actualisation of the state of Biafra have revealed their admission as members of the Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) General Assembly of the African Union (AU).
The Sun reports that renowned Igbo leaders were still in court with the Federal Government of Nigeria over rights to self-determination.
However, a document shared on-line, which was countersigned by the solicitor of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Emeka Adolf Chigozie, revealed that the actualisation of Biafra has been taken up by elders and professionals in Igbo land, home and abroad, including Ohanaeze Ndigbo chieftains, by using a legal framework outside the old method of the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB).
Below are excerpts from the document:
“The scepticism and doubts expressed by some people, like Mr. Kalu Onuma, who asked the question, ‘Are you guys for real or you’ve been smoking something?” Our solicitor has decided to countersign this announcement and include his professional details. It is unfortunate that the pro-Biafran groups, which started the Biafran independence movement many years ago, did not follow due process of law and thereby, brought disgrace and ridicule upon a genuine self-determination struggle of indigenous people of Biafra that should be anchored on law. At the moment, the Biafran independence movement has taken a new shape. It is no longer in the hands of charlatans and fraudsters or blind leaders of the blind. It is now in the hands of intellectuals, professionals and diplomats.
“We are presently in Court with Nigeria in Suit No. FHC/OW/ CS/192/2013 at the Federal High Court, Owerri. We sued Nigeria in a representative capacity by Bilie Human Rights Initiative because Biafra is not yet a sovereign entity that can sue or be sued. We are discussing with powerful governments in the international community. “The Biafran struggle is now led by the elders of Biafraland. The Chairman is, the Honourable Justice Eze Ozobu, OFR, the founding father and founding President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. The Deputy Chairman is Dr. Dozie Ikedife, Ikenga Nnewi, JP, OON; the Secretary is Col. Joe Achuzia. Other members of the Governing Council are drawn from all parts of Biafraland, including South East, parts of South-South and parts of the Middle Belt being the land of Biafra, as shown in the Ancient Map of Biafra 1660 and 1707, which we have filed in court.”
It would be recalled that on November 23, 2014, the Federal High Court in Enugu jailed the leader of Biafran Zionists Movement (BZM), Benjamin Onwuka, and 10 others for supposed treason.