Executed Igbo soldiers: Human rights activists, lawyers dismissed Nigerian Army denial - ITREALMS

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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.

The six soldiers, ITREALMS gathered, were reportedly of Igbo extraction and all Christians.

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:

1. Emeka Umeagbalasi (M.Sc.), Board Chair, Int’l Society for Civil Liberties & Rule of Law
2. Prof Anthony Ejiofor-Chairman, World Igbo Congress (USA)
3. Prof Uzodimma Nwala-President, Ala-Igbo Dev Foundation (ADF)
4. Prof Justice Chidi-President, Concerned Elites for Better Society Initiative
5. Prof Justin Akujieze-Board Chairman, Ekwenche Research Institute (USA)
6. Dr. Moses Nwaigwe-President, Biafra Genocide Survivors Group (USA)
7. Austin Okeke, Esq.-Global Leader, Igbo Board of Deputies (UK)
8. Kanayo K. Odeluga, MD., MPH-Executive Director, Igbo League, Inc.(USA)
9. Mercy Alu, MBA, PhD-Executive Coordinator (Research), the Int’l Association of African Authors & Scholars (USA)
10. Dr. Onyenkachi Orjiako, Esq.-Rep, Int’l Society for War Against Lawlessness (USA)
11. Mazi Obi Okoli-Coordinator, Congress of Igbo Leaders UK & Ireland
12. Dr. Law Mefor-Rep, Igbo Bu Igbo (IBI)
13. Dr. Okezie Kelechi-ED, Neighborhood Environment Watch Foundation
14. Dr. Jerry Chidozie Chukwuokoro-Rep, Int’l Solidarity for Peace & Human Rights Initiative
15. Comrades Chilos Godsent & Zulu Ofoelue-Reps, Igbo National Council
16. Ezekwike Chekwube Violet, Esq.-Founder, New Home Mentoring & Dev Initiative
17. Comrade Aloysius Attah-Chair, Civil Liberties Organization, Southeast
18. Maazi Tochukwu Ezeoke, President, Igbo Ekunie Initiative
19. Comrade Justine Ijeomah-ED, Human Rights Social Dev & Environmental Foundation(HURSDEF)
20. Comrade Vincent Ezekwueme-Chair, Civil Liberties Organization, Anambra State
21. Comrade Peter Onyegiri-ED, Center for Human Rights & Peace Advocacy
22. Comrade Alex Olisa-Rep, Southeast Good Governance Forum
23. Comrade Nnana Nelson Nwafor-ED, Foundation for Environment Rights Advocacy & Dev.
24. Comrade Nkwocha Anozie-ED, Initiative for Ideal Dev & Emancipatory Leadership
25. Comrade Emeku Uche-Rep, Easy-life Initiative for Rural Youths
26. Comrade Samuel Njoku-Chair, Human Rights Organization of Nigeria
27. Comrade Ngwobia O. Ngwobia-Rep Primate Salvation Initiative
28. Nze UgoAkpe Onwuka (Oyi)-National Coordinator, Igbo Renaissance Forum