A couple of lawyers from the South East have asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to join them as defendants in a lawsuit filed by a group of Northern Elders praying for an exit of the Igbos from Nigeria.
You will recall that there has been agitation by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) for creation of an independent Republic of Biafra constituted by the five South Eastern states and some parts of the South South region.
The creation of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) by IPOB has created tension, due to violence escalation as there has been constant clash between them and the military and Police.
In the suit filed by some Northern Elders against the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), the Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the National Assembly, the group is seeking the court’s approval for the South East to secede and form Biafra.
The South East lawyers led by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Chuks Muoma, Ukpai Ukairo, Ebere Uzoatu and Obi Emuka filed their application for joinder to enable them to state the true position of the people of the region whom they argue have yet to be represented in the suit file by some Northern Elders.
The joinder of 12-paragraph affidavit filed by Victor Onweremadu, stated in part: “That this suit is so crucial and a sensitive matter which concerns the Indigenous Igbo speaking tribe in Nigeria and has the capability to shape the life of the future generation of the people of the South East of Nigeria and other Indigenous Igbo speaking tribe in Nigeria.
“That the Igbo Lawyers Association represented by the applicants are an Indigenous association of lawyers from the South East of Nigeria and other Indigenous Igbo speaking tribe in Nigeria.
“That the Igbo Lawyers Association and its objective is to represent the interest of the Igbo people which said people are Indigenous in the South East of Nigeria. Thus, the association is interested and is a necessary party to be joined.
“That it will serve the interest of justice if the honourable court grants the application and join the applicants as defendants in the suit and that the plaintiffs will not be prejudiced if the application is granted”.
The presiding judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo, has fixed November 1st for hearing of the suit.
