Security concerns have been raised after an unknown individual began circulating a threatening statement demanding the release of detained Biafrans and threatening the closure of federal courts in the southeast region of Nigeria.

The unsigned statement, which claims to be from the “Biafra Government”, demands that the Nigerian government return all detained Biafrans to the southeast within 72 hours, expiring on Sunday, October 27, 2024. Failing this, the statement threatens to evict all non-Biafran judges and indefinitely shut down the Court of Appeal divisions in Owerri, Awka, and Enugu, as well as all Federal High Courts and National Industrial Courts in the region, starting from October 29, 2024.

The inflammatory message accuses these courts of bringing “anarchy, death, insecurity, instability instead of Justice, Equity and fairness.” It specifically blames the courts for the governorship of Hope Uzodinma, who the statement alleges has “destroyed the lives of our women and children.”

Reports indicate that in the wake of this statement, the named courts are no longer in session in Anambra, Imo, Enugu, Ebonyi and Abia states. This has stalled all pending cases, including urgent matters, with no end to the impasse in sight.

TheNigeriaLawyer recalls that this week, the Court of Appeal, Owerri Division, suspended sittings, citing security concerns. According to the Court, ‘Despite the fact that we have issued a Hearing Notice for the period from October 28th to November 1st, we are compelled by some security concerns to postpone the sittings this week. All Hearing Notices issued are hereby cancelled.

Meanwhile, a legal practitioner, who spoke on condition of anonymity, informed TheNigerialawyer that court sessions proceeded normally last week in Enugu and Awka, as well as the previous week in Abakaliki. Both the State High Courts and Federal High Courts in these jurisdictions were fully operational. The security concerns appear to be uniquely heightened in Owerri.

A source told our correspondent that authorities are investigating the origins of the statement and working to address the security concerns it has raised. The individual or group behind the message is currently unknown.

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