Ohanaeze kicks against planned trial of MASSOB leader for treason

Posted by admin Headlines, South-East Monday, May 27th, 2013

By Tony Edike

ENUGU — For the first time since its contentious election in January this year, the new executive of the apex Igbo socio –cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, weekend in Enugu, held its Imeobi meeting (highest decision making organ of the body) and kicked against trial for treason of leader of Movement for Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, Ralph Uwazuruike.

At the meeting were former governor, Dr Okwy Nwodo, Admiral Allison Madueke (rtd), former Minister, Chief Mbazulike Amechi, Chairman of South-East Council of Traditional rulers, Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, Eze Uzu-Awka, Igwe Gibson Nwosu, Prof Anya O. Anya, Dr Offia Nwali, Prof (Mrs) Uche Azikiwe, Elder Nweke Anyigor, Chief Maxi Ukuta, as well as Ohanaeze chapters in Abuja, Kano, Jos, Ghana and captains of Industry, among others.

Although the governors of the zone had in February this year set up an 11-man committee to look into the post-election dispute among other contending issues in the organization, it had as well asked the new executive to stand down all actions of the group pending the resolution of the matter.

The election had caused serious disaffection in the group including litigation in court even as Ebonyi state Governor, Martin Elechi among others questioned its authenticity and rejecting its outcome.

The president general of the group, Chief Enwo Igariwey, had acknowledged this when he addressed the meeting, adding, however, that since the committee was set up and their report submitted to the governors, nothing had been heard, stressing that Ndigbo might no longer continue to wait.

In a communiqué issued after the meeting, Ohanaeze said there was no justifiable reason to charge members of MASSOB, to court for treason when they had done no harm to any Nigerian, while those that killed and maimed fellow Nigerians walked around unmolested.

It, therefore, urged the federal government to drop its court case against the MASSOB leader, Uwazuruike, who the Supreme Court recently, ruled could face treasonable felony.

The communique signed by Igariwey, Dr Joe Nwaorgu, Secretary General, Prof Paul Modum and Dr Felicia Eneh, chairman and member, respectively of Resolution drafting committee, noted with grave concern the continued manace by Fulani herdsmen in the south east zone and mandates its executive committee to take appropriate action and work with security organs and governments of the zone to safeguard Igboland.

Ohanaeze also reaffirmed the desire of Ndigbo for the creation of additional state in the South East as a special case according to the 2005 political reform committee as a matter of justice, equity and fairness.

The Imeobi mandated its executive to galvanize various opinion and political leaders at the national and regional levels to take all necessary steps to ensure the realization of the additional state

-Vanguardwp_posts