The case between the indigenous people of Biafra and the Federal Government of Nigeria at the Federal High Court, Owerri, has taken a new dimension with Chief Debe Sylvester Odumegwu-Ojukwu- the first son of the late Biafra War Lord and Eze Igbo Gburugburu, Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, joining the Biafran legal team.
The appearance of Chief Debe Odumegwu-Ojukwu on the bench of the Biafra legal team, sparked off excitement and joy among the indigenous people of Biafra present in the Court.
The Indigenous People of Biafra had, courtesy of Bilie Human Rights Initiative, sued the Federal Republic of Nigeria to Court, claiming that Biafra and her indigenous people had been existing before the coming of the white men and the amalgamation of the northern and southern protectorates in 1914, while also asking the court to determine if it was wrong for them to seek for self determination under that name, among other requests.
The presiding Judge, Justice Shuaibu, had, on January 6,2013 adjourned the case to March 28. However, on the said date, the lead counsel representing the Nigerian government, Prof Yemi Akinseye George SAN, did not appear in court.
After the introduction of members of the Biafra legal team by Chief Debe Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the lead counsel, Barr Emeka Adolph informed the presiding judge, Justice Shuaibu, that the counsel to the defendant, Prof Yemi Akinseye George SAN, had sent a letter just two days ago, precisely on 26th March, informing them that he would not be attending the court session due to health issues .
Barr Emeka further informed Justice Shuaibu that the defendant’s counsel requested that the case be adjourned to any of the following dates: 23rd, 24th or 30th April, 2013.
Expressing his displeasure over the development, Barr Emeka told the judge that if the defending counsel had informed them earlier that he would not be in court, he would not have bothered to come all the way from London- where he is based- to Nigeria to avoid waste of time and funds, adding that if it were to be in London or Wales where he practices, the defending counsel would have been charged for ‘waste of court time.’
Responding, the presiding judge, Justice Shuaibu commended the Biafran lead counsel, Barr Emeka, for his diligence and commitment, acknowledging that it is not easy to shuttle from London and Wales to Nigeria frequently.
He however pleaded with Barr Emeka to see the health reason adduced by the defendant’s counsel, Prof Akinseye SAN, as an act of God and bear with him.
Barr Emeka accepted Justice Shuaibu’s appeal, adding that he was ready to do the sacrifice because of his people who he is representing but pleaded with the judge not to condone such conduct from the defending counsel should he again shun court appearance, which Justice Shuaibu accepted and promised to check similar subsequent excuse.
Thereafter, the Biafra lead counsel, told Justice Shuaibu that of the 3 dates suggested for the adjournment, 30th April will be more convenient for him, hence the judge went ahead to adjourn the case to 30th April, 2013.
Speaking to journalists shortly after the case, Chief Debe Odumegwu-Ojukwu said he decided to come and join the Biafra legal team in order to identify with his people- the indigenous people of Biafra- in their quest for justice and freedom.
“The decision to seek justice in the court is symptomatic of the peaceful nature of Igbo people, hence we decided to come. We’re here for justice,” Chief Debe said, adding that he was not disappointed with the non appearance of the defendant’s counsel over health reasons since the presiding judge described it as an act of God.
Asked if he thought there was hope for Biafra’s actualisation, Chief Debe, who is fondly referred to as ‘Akpunwa’ (strong special child) by the people of Nnewi, Anambra and Igbos generally, said:
“There’s very big hope for Biafra. There’s a craving for independence by our people. It might be slow but I know that it will come to fruition. The majority of our people want Biafra and I’m here to help them achieve it through legal means. That’s what my father did and it’s incumbent on me to continue from there.”
Chief Debe decried the continued killing of Igbos in the northern part of Nigeria, for no just cause, lamenting that the federal government has done nothing to protect them, adding:
“Our people are being vilified in the north and nobody is protecting them…that’s why I must support my people in their quest for freedom.”
Also speaking, Barr Emeka said although it was not easy for him to keep shuttling between London and Nigeria, he would not give up because of his love for his people, calling for the support of all the indigenous people of Biafra in their quest to achieve their cause.
While condemning the killing of Igbos in the north, Barr Emeka called on them to come back and develop their land since the government has not made any concrete arrangement for their protection.
“The fact is, we’re asking the Igbos to come back home. We can develop our home and people can be coming from all parts of the world to the East here to do business just as they go to cities like Dubai and others,” he said, adding that Bilie Human Rights Initiative is setting up a council of elders for the indigenous people of Biafra to be headed by Eze Hon. Justice Ozobu.
Addressing the people later at the office of the indigenous people of Biafra at 90 Wetheral road, Owerri, one of the members of the Council of Elders for the Indigenous People of Biafra and former President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Dr Dozie Ikedife, thanked them for coming and expressed hope that victory would be achieved, urging them to remain hopeful.
Lending his own voice, a Biafran war veteran and member of the board of trustees of Bilie Human Rights Initiative, Port Harcourt chapter, Elder Felix Ihezue asked those present to spread the message that Igbos have finally stood up, while encouraging them to keep praying.
The Biafra legal team members present at the court included Chief Debe Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Barr Emeka Adolph, Barr Ibe Nwachukwu Nta and Barr Ohaeto Uwazie
