Identifies Igboho’s sponsors
BY ROTIMI DUROJAIYE
The federal government, on Friday, accused the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, of using Radio Biafra to instigate violence that led to the death of at least 175 security personnel and several other citizens.
Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, made the allegation at a news briefing in Abuja on Friday.
Malami alleged that Kanu also used the online station to incite members of the group to commit violent attacks against civil and democratic institutions across the country, especially in the South East.
According to the minister, such assaults included attacks on security personnel, police stations, security formations, and the destruction of properties of the Independent National Electoral Commission and private citizens.
He said 175 security operatives – 128 policemen, 37 military personnel, and 10 other security operatives – were killed in the attacks.
Malami also blamed members of IPOB and the Eastern Security Network for Tuesday’s attack on traditional rulers who were having a meeting in Imo, where two traditional rulers were killed in the attack.
He added that Kanu also played a role in the violence recorded during the EndSARS protests in 2020.
“The EndSARS protests of October 2020 played into the sinister plans of Nnamdi Kanu, whereby he seized the protests through subversive and inciting online broadcasts and actively commanded and directed attacks on security personnel and facilities.
“As a result of these broadcasts, members of IPOB attacked and killed security personnel and burnt down police stations, Correctional centres, INEC offices, bus terminals, the palace of Oba of Lagos, banks, hospitals, shopping malls and vehicles, amongst other,” he said.
Malami also revealed that he has established a link between Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo (aka Sunday Igboho), and a Boko Haram sponsor, Surajo Muhammad, who was sentenced to life imprisonment in the United Aram Emirates on charges of financing terrorism.
The government also alleged that between 2013 and 2020, Igboho received N127m from several financiers including a federal lawmaker. The government, however, refused to reveal the identity of the lawmaker.
Malami said, “The report revealed that Sunday Igboho is a Director and signatory to Adesun International Concept Limited registered on April 23, 2010. Adesun International Concept Limited also has Oladele Oyetunji and Aderopo Adeyemo as directors. Sunday Igboho is linked to 43 bank accounts in nine banks.
“The major financier of the fugitive and separatists was found to be a federal lawmaker in the National Assembly. A total sum of N127, 145,000 was received by Igboho from his financiers between October 22, 2013, and September 28, 2020, through Adesun International Concept Ltd accounts.
“A total sum of N273,198,200 transaction outflows was recorded from Sunday Igboho’s account between March 15, 2013, and March 11, 2021. Investigation reveals that Adesun International Concept Ltd (belonging to Igboho) transferred the sum of N12, 750,000 to Abbal Bako & Sons.”
The AGF noted that Abbal Bako and Sons and its promoter Abdullahi Usman, are suspects in the on-going Joint Terrorist Financing Investigation.
“Abdullahi Usman is by way of financial transaction connected to Surajo Abubakar Muhammad (who was sentenced to life imprisonment in UAE on charges of financing terrorism (Boko Haram). This report shows the nexus between separatists’ agitation, terrorism financing and disruptions of peace in the country,” Malami said.
The report found connections of financial transactions between Adesun International Concept Ltd (belonging to Igboho) and some construction companies and businesses among others.
Malami stated that having received the reports, the federal government remains solute in its determination to have a peaceful Nigeria.
“The Federal Government will do the needful, within the context of the legal provisions, in ensuring that the matter is given the deserved attention and those found guilty will be made to face the wrath of the law,” he said.
