A government official told newsmen that western nations that condemned the ban of Twitter in Nigeria had earlier received a warning from the FG talking about the activities of secessionist groups including IPOB, which Buhari targeted in his deleted tweet.
This disclosure was made in an exclusive report by NAN on Monday, by a top government official who wished to remain anonymous. The official added that in the joint statement, the western nations ignored the activities of Nnamdi Kanu.
What the government official said
“There are details that many of the Abuja-based diplomats have already become aware of, based on official communication from the Nigerian government.”
The Nigerian National Assembly, like nearly every parliament in the world, has already passed a law to counter terrorism and violent extremism in the country, viz; the Terrorism (Prevention) Act.
Within that legal framework, the Nigerian authorities had sought and obtained a court order declaring and proscribing IPOB as a terrorist organisation (Order of the Federal High Court, Abuja, Nigeria in SUIT NO: FHC/ABJ/CS/871/2017 – ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE FEDERATION V. IPOB dated 20th September 2017), which order was consequently published in the Federal Government of Nigeria Official Gazette No. 99 Vol. 104 as Terrorism (Prevention) (Proscription Order) Notice 2017.
This, therefore, makes IPOB a terrorist organisation and following the 2017 order of proscription by the Federal High Court, IPOB filed an appeal (APPEAL NO: CA/ABJ/214/2018 – IPOB V. ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE FEDERATION) which is now pending before the Court of Appeal, Abuja, Nigeria,” the government official said.
He added that whoever fraternizes or supports the organisation is undermining Nigeria’s criminal legislations while also posing a threat to its national security and sovereignty, as IPOB was declared a terrorist organisation based on proven acts of terrorism.
The top Official stated that IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, continues to broadcast online (Twitter) from his base in some western cities and continues to issue series of instructions to his militia on acts of violence to be carried out within Nigeria’s territory.
The FG said using the internet to issue orders has now become the pattern of IPOB’s operations, citing that Nnamdi Kanu issues instructions and members of IPOB carry out these instructions in Nigeria.
He noted also that Facebook blocked Nnamdi Kanu from its platform for violating its rules on harm and hate speech.
In case you missed it
Nairametrics reported yesterday that the FG said in a meeting with representatives of foreign embassies that the Twitter ban would be lifted if the social media company would foster the “responsible” use of its platform.
