LAGOS, Nigeria — A woman accused of unlawfully possessing 36 berets bearing the symbol of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, was arraigned at an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on Thursday, July 20, 2023.
Charity Iroakazi, a 28-year-old artisan, is being tried for conspiracy and illegally possessing IPOB berets.
Inspector Samuel Mishozunnu, the prosecutor, told the court that the offences were committed on June 16 at Mosalasi Bus Stop, Satellite Town, Lagos.
Mishozunnu detailed that the police, while on patrol, intercepted a rider carrying a large black nylon bag on his motorcycle.
Upon inspection, the police found 36 berets of black, green, and red color, all bearing the IPOB insignia.
“The rider was carrying 36 pieces of black, green and red berets with IPOB insignia written on them,” the prosecutor said.
The motorcyclist led the police to the sender’s address, which resulted in Iroakazi’s arrest. The offences contravene the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, according to Mishozunnu.
Iroakazi, who resides at 14 Nurudeen St., Ojo, Lagos, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Magistrate Folasade Hughes granted the defendant bail for N50,000 with one surety of the same amount. The case was adjourned until August 2 for further hearing.
This case further underscores the tense situation in Nigeria’s southeastern region, where the government’s proscription of IPOB continues to stir controversies and spark legal actions.
Governor Mbah to Traders: Disregard IPOB’s Sit-at-Home, Keep Businesses Running
Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah toured various parts of the state capital on Monday, July 17, 2023 to assess compliance with the ban on illegal sit-at-home orders declared by non-state actors.
This move comes as traders and residents express their fatigue with the directive, stating it has negatively affected their businesses and household economies.
The governor, who visited several business centers including Spar Mall, Roban Stores at Bisalla Road, Market Square, Shoprite, Zenith Bank at Ogui Road, Celebrities, Ogbete Market, Garki Awkunanaw Market, Mayor Market, Abakpa Market, and the State Secretariat, expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance.
However, he warned that traders who continued to obey the sit-at-home order stood to lose their shops to more serious-minded businessmen.
According to Governor Mbah, the state has been losing over N10 billion every Monday due to the sit-at-home orders.
“Enough is enough. This foolishness must end, and it must end now. We cannot be marginalising ourselves and still complain of marginalisation,” he stated.
The Governor further warned that any shop found closed on Monday due to compliance with the illegal sit-at-home order would be sealed by the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority.
The shop’s operating license would also be revoked and reallocated to another entrepreneur.
Market leaders and business owners have assured the governor of their readiness to comply fully with the ban on sit-at-home orders.
The President of Enugu State Amalgamated Traders Association, Comrade Stephen Aniagu, and the leader of Abakpa Nike Market, Bernard Anike, confirmed that all shops would be open from next Monday.
Development economist, Richard Emeka Ezeh, commended Governor Mbah’s proactive efforts to end the sit-at-home order, acknowledging the negative impact the directive has had on the state’s economy.
A trader, Chioma Nwagu, expressed the frustration of many: “We have to come out to do our business. We can’t feed ourselves while staying at home. We have to come out and do our businesses.”
