"Biafra has come to stay,” IPOB leader speaks from prison

dimeji akinloye

February 12, 2016 11:57 PM

Speaking from Kuje prison, Abuja, he told AFP that he is a “prisoner of conscience”.

Nnamdi Kanu, director of the banned Radio Biafra, was detained by secret police on 17 October and accused of terrorism.

The detained leader of the

Kanu is facing charges of treasonable felony, managing an unlawful society and illegally shipping radio equipment into the country.

Speaking from Kuje Prison, Abuja, he told AFP that he is a “prisoner of conscience”.

A Federal High Court in Abuja had on Tuesday, February 9, turned down an application by Kanu, seeking the release of his British and Nigerian passports among other items.

Counsel to the Biafra leader had sought the release of the items, which he said would not were not be needed by the prosecution since they were not listed as part of exhibits to be tendered.

“They will kill us but by the end Biafra will come. Biafra has come to stay”, Kanu said in a text message forwarded to AFP through his brother , Prince Emmanuel Kanu. He had visited him in prison on Thursday.

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The 48-year-old IPOB leader, who described Igbos as “third class citizens”, said Nigeria has failed them in so many way. He referred to the country as a “zoo” which “has to come to an end”.

Kanu, alongside two co-accused, David Nwawusi and Benjamin Madubugwu are facing trial on six counts of treasonable felony, unlawful possession of firearms and other offences bordering on their agitation for secession ‎of the Republic of Biafra from Nigeria.

dimeji akinloye