A feud has opened up in the leadership of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as they have issued a ban on Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, one of the lawyers representing their leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and his younger brother, Emmanuel Kanu, from visiting Kanu’s cell at the Department of State Services (DSS) headquarters, Abuja.
This directive was contained in a statement signed by Chika Edoziem, the Head of the Directorate of State of IPOB.
Edoziem explained that as Mazi Nnamdi Kanu prepares to undergo surgery while in detention, it is necessary for his personal doctor to be present.
However, he claimed that Ejimakor and Emmanuel Kanu were bringing in individuals unknown to Kanu as his personal doctor, thereby jeopardizing his health.
IPOB, in dismissing Ejimakor and Emmanuel Kanu, stated: “The lead counsel to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in the matter instituted against him by the Nigerian government, which is now before the Nigerian Supreme Court, is Barrister Mike Ozekhome SAN, assisted by Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor and others.
“Therefore, any issue concerning Mazi Nnamdi Kanu while he is detained at the DSS facility, whether related to his health or otherwise, must be brought to the attention of the lead counsel. Barrister Alloy Ejimakor, Emmanuel Kanu, and others who are collaborating with them must retrace their steps and refrain from visiting the DSS office with individuals they claim to be doctors without the knowledge of Barrister Mike Ozekhome SAN, the lead counsel to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
“The Directorate of State of the Indigenous People of Biafra can no longer tolerate anyone or people who are either driven by pecuniary considerations or other motivations to endanger the life of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu while in DSS custody.
“For the avoidance of doubt, it was Barrister Mike Ozekhome SAN and Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor that impressed upon the Director Legal of the DSS that it is absolutely necessary and important to have the personal doctor of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu get involved if any surgery must be conducted on him.
“How come those that were never present when the understanding was reached to have Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s personal doctor involved in deciding the issue of his surgery are the ones who are parading people at the DSS as personal doctors of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu?
“The attempt to smuggle in certain persons as Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s personal physician without informing the SAN is very suspicious, to say the least.
“The Directorate of State of the Indigenous People of Biafra wishes therefore to inform IPOB families worldwide and Biafrans in general that if these individuals, to wit; Barrister Alloy Ejimakor, Emmanuel Kanu and those working with them (their names are known to us) continue on this path they have chosen, they and the Nigerian government must be held responsible should anything untoward happen to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”