Why Nigerian Police declared the deputy leader of IPOB, Ani Chukwunonso and his brother, Ani Benjamin Onyemechi wanted dead or alive
BY AHMED ALI, ABUJA
According to the press, The Daily Times Newspaper, the Deputy Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB Kano Zone, Mr. Ani Chukwunonso, his brother Ani Benjamin Onyemechi and 26 twenty six other IPOB members were arrested by Nigerian Police on March 2013 on allegations of treason and agitations for independence of the Republic of Biafra out of Nigeria.
The agitation stems from the grounds of incessant killings, systemic marginalization and state-sponsored violence against the Biafran people even after they had fought a civil war to this effect between 1967-70.
Despite several court orders granting them bail, the arrested persons were detained for more than 4 four months before they were arraigned on 26th July 2013 before Justice Binta Murtala-Nyako of the Federal High Court Abuja for charges of treason, treasonable felony and agitation for Biafra.
The accused persons now Defendants were admitted to bail by the court pending their trial. The bail conditions were not only stiff but inordinately onerous as two serving senators of Nigeria Senate would serve as sureties. They regained their freedom pending their trial.
Suddenly, Justice Binta Murtala-Nyako, made a volte face ordered for the arrest of Mr. Ani Chukwunonso and his brother, Ani Benjamin Onyemechi for failing to appear in court on 11th August 2014. The Nigerian police then mounted a man-hunt to catch them dead or alive.
