By Matthew Mbanaja
The much expected ruling by the trial judge today at the federal high court Owerri, by Hon. Justice S.M.Shaub is hinged on two pre-suit cases emanating from the Biafran trial bundle
First is the Technical omission on the case, using Bilie Human Rights Initiative as against “incorporated trustees of” Bilie as a juristic person, since Bilie is a name and not a person in law and on that ground, the trial judge knocked out the case without dismissal, while advising our lead council to quickly make the necessary amendment and return to court.
The second objection raised by the defendant’s council earlier was the issue of whether the court has the competence to try a case of the magnitude of self-determination as litigated by Biafra.
In his ruling, the amiable trial judge dismissed the argument from the Nigerian council stating that his court has the locus standi to try the case in question. This translates to the legal fact that the case is in continuation despite the technical knockout and not case dismissal as enumerated above.
At the end of the court proceeding, the indigenous people of Biafra who came in their thousands from all over Nigeria , Biafraland and the Diaspora, attended a world press conference addressed by the vice chairman of the elders council of the indigenous people of Biafra in the person of Dr Dozie Ikedife( MD)Ikenga Nnewi, which was a high point of his earlier world conference in London which harped on the role of the council o9f elders of indigenous people of Biafra as a constituted government under the Nigerian customary law constitution.
The lead lawyer, Emeka A.C.Emeka also addressed the mammoth crowd on the stage and progress so for made in the proceedings with emphasis that evry indigenous person of Biafra has a legal right henceforth to have a personal tag/insignia of Biafra provided it does not create a public nuisance.
He went further to give examples that Biafrans can wear their clothes with the insignia of Biafra and stamp made in Biafra on their products, but cannot go to public places to hang Biafran flags or any action that will infringe on the rights general public ,etc
One of the Biafran formidable council, Chief barrister Debe Ojukwu was unavoidably absent due to the ruling same day in Lagos, on his suit against Ojukwu transport Ltd at the Lagos high court
There was a rousing ovation on the arrival chairman of the elders council of indigenous people of Biafra,HRM,Hon.justice Eze Uzobu ,retired at the conference with two first class royal majesties from Enugu state who are also members of the elders council.
At the office of indigenous people of Biafra, the president of Bilie Human Rights Initiative, Engr Innocent Amadi whose late father will be buried on the 5th of July at Amaulu Mberi in Imo state enjoined Biafrans to be law abiding in other not to attract the contempt of the court. A member of the elders council, Bishop Enyioha also prayed for the Biafrans and told every Biafran where ever they are to observe praying and fasting every last Saturday of the month. The fire brand bishop also promised to resume a monthly prayer crusade for Biafrans worldwide
His addressed was hinged on government of indigenous people of Biafra having been established by the Nigerian constitution. All pro- Biafra groups must now come under the authority of the Council of elders of the Indigenous People of Biafra. Only limitation is that it’s not yet sovereign but we have a government on the ground.. International Law says that we must start our case in our domestic Jurisdiction and if denied justice then we take it to the international courts. It’s a steady process but we’ll get there. The foundation is being laid. Next hearing will be given very soon.
I must say here that I was personally impressed by the appearance of a young radical lawyer by name , barrister Chijioke Emenalo who robed as a member of Biafran legal team , yes because he is member of different groups on this noble social network .He will be presenting to us ,the technical details of the proceedings here later.
I must also comment here that our lead lawyer, barrister Emeka A.C.Emeka, solicitor of England and Wales, is an intellectual lawyer, whose erudite defense of the days motion of objection by the defendants council gave us a victory of knockout on technical grounds instead of total dismissal of this epoch making case that will let our people out of Egypt, he is indeed a Biafran Moses.
Next court date to be announced in due time. The Struggle has just started• LONG LIVE THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF BIAFRA, LONG LIVE THE MEMBERS OF BIAFRAN ELDERS OF INDIGENOUS COUNCIL WHO ARE STILL BUBBLING WITH LIFE LIKE A GEG OF FRESH PALM WINE AND NOT THEIR COUNTER PARTS IN NIGERIAN POLITICS WHO ARE ‘EFULEFUS’
