Saraki says Biafran group not yet a terrorist organisation

Senate President Bukola Saraki has dismissed the categorisation of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as a terrorist organisation by the Nigerian Army, calling it unconstitutional.

Saraki disclosed this in a press statement issued on Monday, September 18, 2017, where he also criticised the proscription of the group by the South-East Governors' Forum.

The leader of the upper legislative chamber argued that the proscription and categorisation of the group does not follow any due process as made clear by the provisions of the country's laws.

As a result, he said the declarations are meaningless as they won't take any effect until the proper channels are followed, urging President Muhammadu Buhari to initiate the process the right way.

He said, "I also wish to state that the announcement of the proscription of the group known as Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) by Governors of the South-east states and the categorization of the group as a 'terrorist organisation' by the Nigerian military are unconstitutional and does not follow due process.

"Our laws make clear provisions for taking such actions and without the due process being followed, such declaration cannot have effect. I am sure the President will do the needful by initiating the right process.

"This will go a long way in demonstrating to the world at large that we are a country that operate by laid down process under every circumstance. So, those who have been hammering on this point should maintain their cool."

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After a week of violent clashes between IPOB members and the Nigerian Army in Abia state, the separatist group was branded a "militant terrorist organisation" in a statement by Director, Defence Information (DDI), Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, on Friday, September 15.

After an emergency meeting in Enugu, the South East Governors' Forum announced the proscription of activities of the group later on Friday.

Chairman of the forum, Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi requested the group and other such groups to articulate their grievances and send to the forum.

Saraki also said the National Assembly will conduct an investigation into the events that led to the proscription of the group, saying that the legislative chamber will determine the facts of the matter.

He said, "I want to also make it clear that the National Assembly intends to embark on a fact-finding investigation aimed at determining what actually happened during the period of the military exercise in the South-east.

"We want to be able to sift the facts from the fiction and determine who did what. It is quite clear that all the facts are not yet known. We assure Nigerians that there will be no cover up. We intend to lay the facts bare."

While commending the military for their efforts in restoring peace to different parts of the country, he advised that they should also uphold respect for human rights and exercise restraint even in the face of provocation.