AS WE POSITIVELY AWAIT THE MAJOR AND LONG AWAITED VICTORY, WE RECORDED ANOTHER LANDMARK VICTORY FOR UMUCHINEKE TODAY.
CHUKWUOKIKE ABIAMA TRIUMPHS ONCE AGAIN !!!
Following three (3) years of unrelentless legal fireworks before the Federal High Court Portharcourt, it ultimately ended in glorious praises today. Six (6) Ezigbo Umuchineke, who have been held in Portharcourt Correctional Centre for over 3 years on baseless and trumped-up charges, were today all discharged by the Court.
Recall that On May 29, 2020;
1. GOODLUCK AGBULUM,
2. IKECHUKWU V. AMAECHI,
3. ELEKA ONYEKACHI,
4. FELIX SAMPSON,
5.NNAMDI PETERS, and
6. NWANKWO LOVEDAY
were illegally apprehended by overzealous Nigerian security agents (the DSS, to be precise) in Odiokwu Community, Ahoda East Local Government Area of Rivers State.
They were subsequently brought before the Chief Magistrate Court Port Harcourt in Charge no: PMC/863C/2020, on a THREE COUNT CHARGE of CONSPIRACY, TERRORISM RELATED OFFENCES and BELONGING TO A TERRORIST ORGANIZATION.
Upon being arraigned on the above listed frivolous but unfounded three count charge, before a Court that lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the charge , these innocent BIAFRANS were subsequently remanded in prison custody, simply because they were on the PEACEFUL CANDLE NIGHT PROCESSION OBSERVING BIAFRANS FALLEN HEROES DAY.
Our preliminary separate applications for their bail filed on the 13th day of August 2020 were not entertained by the court as the court declined the jurisdiction to hear the application.
These Ezigbo Umuchineke were later formally charged before the Federal High Court , and were subsequently granted bail on the 8th day of December 2021 on a very onerous but tough and stringent conditions.
Several applications to get the charge struck out following the failure of the prosecution to present their witnesses to prove their case, was not indulged by His Lordship who insisted on availing the prosecution with every reasonable opportunity to prosecute their case.
However, during the proceedings on the last adjourned date, His Lordship warned of the consequences of the prosecution’s "hide and seek" if he failed to proceed with his case at the next adjourned date, and magnanimously granted them one more adjournment and ordered for Hearing Notice to be served on the Prosecution, which Order we dutifully complied with.
As I had always maintained, the wheel of justice turns slowly, but they ultimately deliver fair outcomes.
Today, being the 23rd day of November 2023, the Federal High Court, sitting in Port Harcourt Rivers State, Court No. 1, Per Hon. Justice P. I. Ajoku finally delivered a landmark Ruling on our Application seeking the termination of the criminal trial.
In holding our Application as MERITORIOUS, His Lordship, consequently STRUCK OUT THESE MOST RIDICULOUS CHARGE AND ACCORDINGLY DISCHARGE these six innocent Biafrans. They have since gone home as free men!!!
I want to express my utmost appreciation to my esteemed colleagues in chambers, particularly our AUGUSTINE EZEOKEKE, Esq. for his tenacity and invaluable contribution in achieving this remarkable victory once again.
Let Ezigbo UmuChineke be assured that we are not relenting in our efforts to ensure that every Biafran currently held unlawfully by the Nigerian Security Agents receives justice.
Thank you all, Ezigbo UmuChineke, and may you continue to be abundantly blessed as we eagerly await the ultimate triumph.
IT MUST SURELY END IN PRAISES!!!
We Move!
Signed:
Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, Esq.
IPOB’s Lead Counsel
23rd November 2023
