By Olugbenga Salami
Family of the detained leader of proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has accused the federal government over alleged false narratives and media manipulation against him.
Both the family and IPOB members noted with concern that the false narratives and media manipulation are orchestrated against Kanu to tarnish his image during the trial of terrorism charges filed against him by the same government.
In a statement on Sunday in Abuja, they cited the recent barrage of alleged fabricated stories in the Nigerian 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 came up each time Kanu’s court date draws nearer to portray him in bad light before the judiciary.
Prince Emmanuel Kanu, the younger brother of the Biafra nation agitator, signed the statement on behalf of the family.
The statement read: “We, on behalf of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (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 insecurities and crimes in the South East, with the clear intent to influence judicial proceedings in Abuja courts and tarnish Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s reputation before the international community, particularly as his next court hearing approaches on April 29, 2025.
“The pattern is unmistakable and predictable. Each time Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s court date nears, a barrage of fabricated stories floods Nigerian 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 parts of a calculated media blitz designed to manipulate public perception and prejudice the judiciary against Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
“This systematic defamation is not only an attack on Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB but also a grave assault on justice and fairness.
