Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a lawsuit brought by a Coalition of Northern Groups seeking the secession of Igbos in the South East from Nigeria. The suit, filed by a group of elders and politicians from the North, including Nastura Shariff, Balarabe Rufa’i, Abdul-Aziz Sulaiman, and Aminu Adam, was thrown out by the Judge due to the absence of the plaintiffs in court to present their case.
Despite multiple court appearances, the Northern groups failed to show up or have legal representation, leading Justice Ekwo to conclude that they had abandoned their own suit. The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/538/2021, sought to compel the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives to facilitate the exit of the southeastern region from Nigeria before the conclusion of the constitutional amendment process.
The plaintiffs argued that allowing the Igbo to secede would bring an end to violence and unrest in the South-East, preventing a repeat of the devastating Civil War of 1967-1970. They also believed that granting self-determination to the south-eastern states would quell the agitation by groups like the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), led by Nnamdi Kanu.
In their plea, the Northern groups requested a referendum to allow the people of the south-eastern region to decide on their bid for self-determination, citing constitutional provisions and international human rights agreements. They urged the court to mandate the National Assembly to establish a framework for the region’s self-determination before further constitutional amendments are made.
Despite their efforts, Justice Ekwo ruled in favor of dismissing the case for lack of diligent prosecution. The outcome of this legal battle underscores the complex and deeply rooted issues surrounding secessionist movements in Nigeria, highlighting the ongoing struggle for autonomy and self-determination within the country.
As the debate over secession and self-determination continues to unfold in Nigeria, the decision by Justice Ekwo serves as a reminder of the challenges and complexities inherent in addressing these longstanding grievances. The quest for autonomy and independence remains a contentious issue, with deep historical and political implications for the future of the country.
