MASSOB petitions NJC over its detained members
Fri Jun 24, 2016 01:34:pm National
3K By Buchi Obichie
The Nigerian Judicial Commission, NJC, has been petitioned by the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, over continued detention of 19 of its members, including a cripple, in prison custody since April, 2007.
The affected persons are facing a seven-count charge bordering on treason, acts of terrorism and kidnapping.
The detained MASSOB members are Sebastian Amadi, Ikechukwu Chikwem, Peter Igbokwe, Uchenna Nicholas, Uche Idika, Casmir Odokara, Eni Kalu, Chidiebere Ekwem, Chima Asoh (cripple), Ojimba Anyanwu, Ndubuisi Okanu, Emmanuel Orji, Michael Okezie, Ikechukwu Aghari, Mmaduabuchi Asika, Chinwike Irondi, Chukwuma Kalu, Innocent Orji and Onyekachi Orji (female).
Addressing newsmen on Wednesday in Awka, the Anambra state capital, MASSOB leader, Mr. Uchenna Madu lamented that the continuous adjournment of their case at the Federal High Court, Awka has complicated the matter, adding that many of those detained have become very sick.
Madu said: "The pro-Biafra members have been languishing in prison since 2007. Three judges have handled the matter, yet they were not granted bail. Justice Peter Olayiwola started the matter and handed over to Justice Ojukwu before Justice M.I. Abubakar took over. Justice Abubakar was later transferred to Abakaliki, yet he has not allowed the new Judge in Awka to handle the matter as he comes occasionally from Abakaliki to preside over the MASSOB case.
"Since nine years, the prosecution has called only three witnesses and our lawyer has not been allowed to call any witness. What surprised us was that the judge said he would transfer the case file from Awka to Abakaliki which, to us, will make the attendance to court sittings more difficult for us."
The affected persons are facing a seven-count charge bordering on treason, acts of terrorism and kidnapping.
The detained MASSOB members are Sebastian Amadi, Ikechukwu Chikwem, Peter Igbokwe, Uchenna Nicholas, Uche Idika, Casmir Odokara, Eni Kalu, Chidiebere Ekwem, Chima Asoh (cripple), Ojimba Anyanwu, Ndubuisi Okanu, Emmanuel Orji, Michael Okezie, Ikechukwu Aghari, Mmaduabuchi Asika, Chinwike Irondi, Chukwuma Kalu, Innocent Orji and Onyekachi Orji (female).
Addressing newsmen on Wednesday in Awka, the Anambra state capital, MASSOB leader, Mr. Uchenna Madu lamented that the continuous adjournment of their case at the Federal High Court, Awka has complicated the matter, adding that many of those detained have become very sick.
Madu said: "The pro-Biafra members have been languishing in prison since 2007. Three judges have handled the matter, yet they were not granted bail. Justice Peter Olayiwola started the matter and handed over to Justice Ojukwu before Justice M.I. Abubakar took over. Justice Abubakar was later transferred to Abakaliki, yet he has not allowed the new Judge in Awka to handle the matter as he comes occasionally from Abakaliki to preside over the MASSOB case.
"Since nine years, the prosecution has called only three witnesses and our lawyer has not been allowed to call any witness. What surprised us was that the judge said he would transfer the case file from Awka to Abakaliki which, to us, will make the attendance to court sittings more difficult for us."
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