By Uche Onyeali
Family of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has cautioned the federal government over alleged false narratives and media manipulation against the detained freedom fighter.
The family noted with concern that the false narratives and media manipulation were orchestrated against Kanu to tarnish his image during the trial of the terrorism charges filed against him by the same government.
The family in a statement yesterday in Abuja cited the recent barrage of alleged fabricated stories in the media, accusing IPOB of crimes and insecurity in the South East, as another attempt to link Kanu with violence.
The statement categorically stated that the media manipulation always come up each time Kanu’s court date draws near, to portray him in a bad light before the judiciary.
The statement signed by the younger brother of the Biafra nation agitator, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, said: “We, on behalf of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of IPOB, and his family, write to address the relentless and orchestrated campaign of misinformation being peddled by the Nigerian government through sponsored adverse media coverage.
“This deliberate effort seeks to falsely link IPOB to alleged insecurity and crimes in the South East, with the clear intent to influence judicial proceedings in Abuja courts and tarnish Mazi Kanu’s reputation before the international community, particularly as his next court hearing approaches on April 29.
“The pattern is unmistakable and predictable. Each time Kanu’s court date nears, a barrage of fabricated stories floods the media, accusing IPOB of crimes and insecurity in the South East. Recent examples include:
“The latest being: ‘Police nab three suspected IPOB members, recover N10.3m in Imo,’ ‘Police arrest three suspected IPOB members, recover N10 million,’ ‘Police raid IPOB/ESN hideout in Imo,’ ‘3 arrested as police bust IPOB hideout in Imo.’
“These reports are part of a calculated media blitz designed to manipulate public perception and prejudice the judiciary against him.
“This systematic defamation is not only an attack on Kanu and IPOB, but also a grave assault on justice and fairness.
“We unequivocally condemn this manipulation of the judiciary and demand that it ceases immediately.
“The hypocrisy of this media campaign is glaring. While peaceful IPOB is relentlessly vilified, the media and authorities remain conspicuously silent on the rampant atrocities committed by Fulani herdsmen who have been publicly acknowledged as waging a war of conquest against indigenous populations across Nigeria.
“These killer herdsmen, responsible for wave after wave of brutal killings, face no comparable police raid or media scrutiny.
“Why is there such an obsessive focus on IPOB, while the real perpetrators of insecurity are neither held accountable nor subjected to the same level of adverse publicity?
“To address this injustice and uncover the true genesis of insecurity in the South East, Mazi Kanu’s family calls for the immediate establishment of a joint panel of investigators from the United States of America and the European Union.
“This independent body must be tasked with conducting a thorough, transparent and unbiased investigation into the root causes of insecurity in Igboland and identify those truly responsible.
“The Nigerian government’s reliance on false narratives and media propaganda to influence judicial outcomes and discredit a high-profile case like Kanu’s is a dangerous precedent that undermines the rule of law and erodes public trust in democratic institutions.
“We urge Nigerians, the international community and all advocates of justice to stand against this orchestrated campaign of defamation and demand accountability.
“Kanu and IPOB are committed to a peaceful struggle for self-determination and no amount of media manipulation will deter this just cause.
“We call on well-meaning individuals, organisations and governments to support our demand for an independent investigation and to ensure that justice prevails in Mazi Kanu’s case.”
