The American Military Veterans of Igbo Descent (AVID) has called on Justice James Kolawole Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja to ensure absolute impartiality in the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who faces terrorism charges brought by the Nigerian government.

In a statement released in Abuja on Wednesday, AVID, along with two other US-based pro-Biafra groups—Rising Sun and Ambassadors for Self-Determination—insisted that Kanu is a prisoner of conscience and should not be prosecuted, as they believe he has committed no crime.

Kanu is scheduled to be arraigned before Justice Omotosho on Friday, 21 March. The groups recalled his “extraordinary rendition” from Kenya to Nigeria in 2021 and his continued detention by the Department of State Services (DSS), despite multiple court rulings in his favour.

The statement, signed by AVID President Dr Sylvester Onyia, Rising Sun President Chief Dede Maxwell, and Ambassadors for Self-Determination President Chief Engr Evans Nwankwo, expressed concern over what they described as the government’s disregard for judicial rulings.

“In July 2022, the United Nations Human Rights Council, through a landmark opinion by its Working Group, declared that the appropriate remedy for Mr Kanu would be his immediate release and compensation in accordance with international law,” the statement read.

It also cited a December 2023 ruling by Nigeria’s Supreme Court, which held that the revocation of Kanu’s bail was wrongful and should be reinstated in line with Section 287(1) of the Constitution.

The groups condemned the continued prosecution of Kanu, stating that since he had been acquitted by Nigerian courts, the government had no justification for further legal action against him.

“We demand his immediate and unconditional release. The government must not pile illegality upon illegality while the world is watching,” they asserted.

The statement also urged Justice Omotosho to prioritise Kanu’s safety and remain neutral in the case. It further criticised what it described as political manoeuvring, alleging that the case had been used to create division between Nigeria’s Igbo and Yoruba communities.

“The previous administration, under Muhammadu Buhari, saw the baselessness of these charges but conveniently left them for President Tinubu’s government, possibly to sow discord between the Igbos and the Yorubas,” the groups alleged.

As Kanu’s trial approaches, the calls for his release continue to intensify, highlighting ongoing tensions over his detention and the broader agitation for Biafra.

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced suspension of sale of petroleum products in naira.

This was announced in a notice sent to petroleum marketers, on Wednesday afternoon.

In the notice obtained by Daily Trust, the company said the decision is temporary, explaining why it took the decision..

“We wish to inform you that, Dangote Petroleum Refinery has temporarily halted the sale of petroleum products in Naira. This decision is necessary to avoid a mismatch between our sales proceeds and our crude oil purchase obligations, which are currently denominated in U.S. dollars.”

“To date, our sales of petroleum products in Naira have exceeded the value of Naira-denominated crude we have received. As a result, we must temporarily adjust our sales currency to align with our crude procurement currency. Our attention has also been drawn to reports on the internet claiming that we are stopping loading due to an incident of ticketing fraud. This is malicious falsehood. Our systems are robust and we have had no fraud issues.

“We remain committed to serving the Nigerian market efficiently and sustainably. As soon as we receive an allocation of Naira-denominated crude cargoes from NNPC, we will promptly resume petroleum product sales in Naira. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this period.”

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to revamp the National War Museum and Ojukwu Bunker in Umuahia, in collaboration with the Abia Government.

The Director-General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), Mr Olugbile Holloway, made this known, on Tuesday, when he paid Gov. Alex Otti of Abia a visit in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area.

Holloway said that the initiative would play a crucial role in enhancing historical preservation and boosting the tourism sector.

“This is not just about having a museum; it is about creating a space where people can truly learn and connect with the rich history of the Nigerian Civil War and its surrounding narratives,” he said.

Holloway emphasised the need to upgrade these historical sites to world-class standards, ensuring they serve as educational and cultural landmarks.

According to him the two key aspects of the project include infrastructural improvements and storytelling.

He said that while infrastructural improvements were relatively straightforward, however, effectively narrating the events of the Civil War remains the biggest challenge.

“This is where NCMM comes in; we have museum professionals who can collaborate with professionals from around the world,” he added.

Holloway said that other federal heritage sites in the state would be revived.

He further highlighted the Arochukwu Long Juju, in Arochukwu as a cultural landmark with significant tourism potential if properly developed.

Responding, Gov. Otti reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to developing Abia’s tourism sector, because of its economic potential for both the state and the country.

He said that tourism had sustained the economies of nations with limited natural resources, and with the right approach, Abia could become one of Nigeria’s top tourist destinations.

The governor said that most of Abia’s key tourist sites, including the National War Museum, Ojukwu Bunker, Arochukwu Long Juju, Umunneochi Cave, and the Azumini Blue River, are not currently in a marketable state.

He said that with collaboration between the state and federal governments, these tourist attractions could be revived to global standards.

Otti said that infrastructure aspect of the project would require significant funding, not to mention the critical aspect of storytelling “without which history is lost”.

He emphasised the urgency of documenting historical narratives while key storytellers were still alive, warning that once they passed on, valuable history may be lost.

Otti assured that his administration had already started working on tourism development before the NCMM visit, describing their interest as a welcome development.

However, in an interview with newsmen, the Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Mr Matthew Ekwuribe, described the collaboration between the federal government and Abia Government as crucial for reviving the state’s tourism sector.

Ekwuribe said that most of the tourist attractions in Abia owned by the federal government were currently in poor condition and not functioning as viable tourism destinations.

“The National War Museum in Umuahia is the only war museum in West Africa.

“Restoring it to global standards would attract visitors from around the world, boosting tourism, economic growth, and cultural preservation in the state,’’ he said. (NAN)