The Senate, on Wednesday, granted approval for the federal government to collaborate with the Finnish Government in seeking the extradition and prosecution of Simon Ekpa, a factional leader of the Independent People’s of Biafra (IPOB), known for promoting sit-at-home orders in Nigeria’s South-East region.
Conversely, the Senate rejected a proposal that urged the Federal Government to comply with court orders granting bail to the substantive leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, and dismissed the political solution approach to handling his case.
In response to the activities of Simon Ekpa and former Niger Delta militant, Asari Dokubo, which have been linked to insecurity in the South-East zone, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide expressed dismay.
As part of their course of action, the Senate has decided to summon the Minister of Foreign Affairs (once appointed) and other relevant stakeholders to conduct a thorough investigation into the crises in the South East and apprehend other sponsors involved in these acts.
The Senate also condemned both the “sit-at-home” order and the unlawful activities of Simon Ekpa, whom they identified as the gang leader. This resolution was established following a joint motion sponsored by all Igbo senators and presented by Senator Osita Izunaso, representing Imo West Senatorial District.
The motion read: “Aware that thousands of Innocent lives have been lost since this action started, and properties worth a trillion have been destroyed, which has resulted in investors leaving the region.
“Further aware that the ‘sit-at-home’ civil disobedience actions in the South East has led to the disruption/destruction of economic activities. It has also led to immeasurable financial losses for businesses, workers, and the local economy.
ALSO READ: Why Tinubu didn’t include portfolios in ministerial nominees list – Gbajabiamila
“This is because, when people are forced to stay at home and businesses remain closed, productivity declines and income is reduced, thereby affecting livelihoods and economic growth.
“The ‘sit-at-home’ protests disrupt the education of students, leading to missed classes and delays in academic progress. Such prolonged disruptions have long-term effects on students’ learning outcomes and educational development.
ALSO READ: ‘Where are the so-called technocrats’, Nigerians unimpressed by Tinubu’s ministerial nominees list
“The Senate is disturbed that disruption of essential public services, such as healthcare, transportation, and waste disposal, continues to have a severe impact during ‘sit-at-home’ protests.
“It adversely affects the well-being and safety of the general population living in the South East. The Senate is further disturbed that the ‘sit-at-home’ protests continue to lead to acts of violence and clashes with law enforcement agencies which have led to an uncountable loss of lives of innocent people, security agents, and the protesters.
“As this increases the potential for criminal elements to take advantage of the situation to engage in looting or other unlawful activities while the people stayed at home.
“The Senate is worried that if the activities of Simon Ekpa, who is issuing the illegal ‘sit-at-home’ orders is not checked, he may succeed in corrupting the minds of Nigerian youths and turn them against the government which is tantamount to treasonable felony.”
The Federal High Court, Abuja, had Tuesday, 28 2023, dismissed the bail request filed by Kanu. It was the second time in a row the court would turn down the bail request by the IPOB leader, facing seven terrorism-related charges.
Ruling on the latest bail application, the judge, Binta Nyako, held that Kanu’s second bail request amounts to an abuse of the court process after a similar application was rejected on May 18.
Meanwhile, Secretary General of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ambassador Okey Emuchay, on Wednesday, at Azumini, Ukwa East Local Government of Abia State, said the duo of Ekpa and Dokubo “are waging war against the Igbo nation.”
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo scribe said the pervasive sit-at-home has plunged the Igbo nation into “a very sad situation”, which was unnecessary for a people that had passed through a harrowing experience of war.
According to him, “It is painful to observe that we have groups both within the Southeast and beyond, in fact outside the shores of Nigeria that are waging war against the Igbo nation.
“Time has come to say enough is enough (because) the three years of pains of civil war and the pains of recovery are being shredded.”
Emuchay made a statement alleging that Ekpa’s actions were centered around profit-making ventures and were not aligned with the interests of IPOB or the ongoing efforts for Nnamdi Kanu’s release.
Regarding Asari Dokubo, Emuchay expressed concern over a video that surfaced, showing an armed gang undergoing training by the ex-militant for unknown purposes. Ohanaeze was deeply worried about the presence of an armed group in close proximity to Igbo land, especially during a period of heightened insecurity in the region.
As a result, Ohanaeze called upon the federal government to launch an investigation into Asari Dokubo’s activities and determine the purpose behind his training of an armed group. The aim is to unravel any potential security risks or threats that might arise from such activities.