Over 25 human rights activist groups have dismissed the denial of the
Nigerian Army over the alleged secret trial and execution of six Nigerian soldiers
recently in Abuja, reports ITREALMS.
ITREALMS also gathered
that the six slain Igbo Christian soldiers include Prince Ukwuoma, Ebube Isaiah,
Moses Anyim and Godwin Uchendu and two others.
The group in a latest statement available to ITREALMS and endorsed by
25 intellectuals and activists posed some 13 key questions for the Nigerian
Army, insisting that they had no reason to withdraw their claims.
According to the group, the Nigerian
Army has not provided concrete answers to the following:
“(1) whether the six slain Igbo
Christian soldiers and their names, religion and ethnicity exist in the Army or
on its records,
“(2) whether the four pictures as
produced belong to the ascribed serving personnel of the Nigerian Army,
“(3) whether they were made to
undergo any form of trial within the Army,
“(4) whether they were tried in any
manner with the stated allegations,
“(5) whether their trial, if true,
was conducted in the presence of their family, legal and medical
representatives including allowing them access to lawyers of their choice,
“(6) whether the six Igbo soldiers
were defended by lawyers of their choice,
“(7) whether they were allowed to
exercise their right of appeal to Court of Appeal and Supreme Court and
“(8) whether the Nigerian Army issued
any public statement concerning their trial or notified their beloved ones and
the public.
“The rest are: (9) if they
were executed, whether it was done secretly or in the open and if in the open,
whether their lawyers, physicians, faith priests and family members were
present-these, if true, should have been attached with audio-visual evidence
showing same,
“(10) where the Nigerian Army and
its immediate past COAS, Retired Lt Gen Tukur Buratai derived powers to order
the execution, whether in secret or in the open, of soldiers including the six
slain Igbo Christian soldiers (unjustly and wickedly convicted), convicted by
Army Court Martial,
“(11) if they are still alive and
detained as ‘death row inmates’, where they are being held,
condition of their health and circumstances leading to their present fate,
“(12) why the Nigerian
Army failed to produce them publicly, if they are still alive, hale
and hearty and
“(13) why Nigerian Army, in furtherance of the above, did not update Nigerians as per whether it has also secretly executed or still keeping alive another Igbo soldier convicted and sentenced to death by firing squad in Maiduguri, Borno State in Jan 2021, by name: Trooper Azunna Mmadubuchi.”
The statement was signed by the following:- Emeka Umeagbalasi (M.Sc.), Board Chair, Int’l Society for Civil Liberties & Rule of Law
- Prof Anthony Ejiofor-Chairman, World Igbo Congress (USA)
- Prof Uzodimma Nwala-President, Ala-Igbo Dev Foundation (ADF)
- Prof Justice Chidi-President, Concerned Elites for Better Society Initiative
- Prof Justin Akujieze-Board Chairman, Ekwenche Research Institute (USA)
- Dr. Moses Nwaigwe-President, Biafra Genocide Survivors Group (USA)
- Austin Okeke, Esq.-Global Leader, Igbo Board of Deputies (UK)
- Kanayo K. Odeluga, MD., MPH-Executive Director, Igbo League, Inc.(USA)
- Mercy Alu, MBA, PhD-Executive Coordinator (Research), the Int’l Association of African Authors & Scholars (USA)
- Dr. Onyenkachi Orjiako, Esq.-Rep, Int’l Society for War Against Lawlessness (USA)
- Mazi Obi Okoli-Coordinator, Congress of Igbo Leaders UK & Ireland
- Dr. Law Mefor-Rep, Igbo Bu Igbo (IBI)
- Dr. Okezie Kelechi-ED, Neighborhood Environment Watch Foundation
- Dr. Jerry Chidozie Chukwuokoro-Rep, Int’l Solidarity for Peace & Human Rights Initiative
- Comrades Chilos Godsent & Zulu Ofoelue-Reps, Igbo National Council
- Ezekwike Chekwube Violet, Esq.-Founder, New Home Mentoring & Dev Initiative
- Comrade Aloysius Attah-Chair, Civil Liberties Organization, Southeast
- Maazi Tochukwu Ezeoke, President, Igbo Ekunie Initiative
- Comrade Justine Ijeomah-ED, Human Rights Social Dev & Environmental Foundation(HURSDEF)
- Comrade Vincent Ezekwueme-Chair, Civil Liberties Organization, Anambra State
- Comrade Peter Onyegiri-ED, Center for Human Rights & Peace Advocacy
- Comrade Alex Olisa-Rep, Southeast Good Governance Forum
- Comrade Nnana Nelson Nwafor-ED, Foundation for Environment Rights Advocacy & Dev.
- Comrade Nkwocha Anozie-ED, Initiative for Ideal Dev & Emancipatory Leadership
- Comrade Emeku Uche-Rep, Easy-life Initiative for Rural Youths
- Comrade Samuel Njoku-Chair, Human Rights Organization of Nigeria
- Comrade Ngwobia O. Ngwobia-Rep Primate Salvation Initiative
- Nze UgoAkpe Onwuka (Oyi)-National Coordinator, Igbo Renaissance Forum
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