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Former Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Prof Ilochi Okafor has charged elders of Igboland not to keep quiet in the face of brazen intimidation by the federal government against the people of the South-East. Prof Okafor, who spoke during a special court session presided over by the Chief judge of Anambra State, Hon Justice Peter Umeadi in a ceremony to mark the commencement of a new legal year of the Anambra State judiciary, stated that the proscription of the activities of the members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) by the South-East governors was done in bad fate.
He also condemned labeling of the group as a terrorist organization and the deployment of soldiers to the south east, saying that the federal government had no justification for the action, but only sought to intimidate and bully the people of the region. “I am 73. If I do not speak out, when will I ever speak out? Is it in the grave? But speak out I must. Our bar is not all about holding dinners, attending weddings and funerals, where we eat and wine. Nor is it about holding conferences devoted to endless speeches and pontification. “If our governors, lawmakers and political class sit by and keep silent, elders should not. I urge elders to speak out now. The Igbos are peaceful people. Demonstration towards self realization of the right to self determination are recognized as fundamental human right in international law and united nations charter.
“Nigerians are bound by such law, our people are issued with civil notice to leave the north or face very dire consequences, and no person has been arrested. The army has not been stationed in the north. October 1 is the deadline and is around the corner. Who protects our people presently in the north?”
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