IPOB has ‘no right’ to restrict people’s movement

Osuagwu Ugochukwu, a constitutional lawyer and human rights activist, has cautioned the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) against compelling people to stay at home on May 30.

The group had asked its members to observe a stay-at-home exercise on May 30, as part of the planned anniversary celebration of Biafra.

Emma Powerful, IPOB’s spokesman, had said the group chose to sit at home in honour of “fallen heroes”, rather than marching on the streets where the Nigerian security agents could “mow them down”.

But Ugochukwua urged IPOB “not to take the law into their hands” in its bid to “force” Igbos and non-Igbos to stay at home on the said day.

“Nobody is against your belief in Biafra and nobody is saying you should not exercise your rights in promoting your Biafra ideology. But in doing so you must not breach the laws of the land,” he said.

“The call by IPOB to all markets, transport companies/unions, institutions, civil servants, petrol stations, artisans in Biafraland, to shut down on that particular day in honour and remembrance of our fallen heroes and heroines is unlawful.

“This is a threat to the sovereignty of Nigeria and the Nigerian constitution.

“IPOB has no right to restrict movement of persons and vehicles on May 30, as it is against section 41 of the Nigerian constitution (as amended) which provides that every citizen of Nigeria is entitled to move freely throughout Nigeria and to reside in any part thereof, and no citizen of Nigeria shall be expelled from Nigeria or refused entry thereby or exit therefrom.

“Any attempt by any group including IPOB to force people from freely moving is a breach of public peace.”