The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) filed a lawsuit seeking a referendum to decide the future of Biafra and other self-determination movements, but hearing delays have plagued the case for more than two years. Yesterday, a Federal High Court in Abuja adjourned the hearing to May 24, 2023.
Due to scheduling conflicts, the court presided over by Justice Inyang Ekwo adjourned the case.
While briefing journalists, CNG’s attorney, Barrister Sufiyanu Gambo Idris, mentioned that the case is scheduled to be heard on May 24, 2023.
He claimed that despite being scheduled to hear a rejoinder, the court did not meet yesterday.
He continued by saying that the judge had provided explanations for his absence and that they had chosen May 24, 2023 as the new date for the motion.
Recall that CNG petitioned the Federal High Court in Abuja to stop the national assembly from proceeding with the constitution review until the Biafra agitation and the question of Nigeria’s unity had been resolved through a referendum.
The attorney general of the federation, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the president of the senate all received the court document with the markings FHC/ABJ/CS/538/2021.
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Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, a spokesperson for the coalition of northern groups, responded to the development by saying that the coalition was confident that the court, as the supreme temple of justice, would ultimately uphold the lawsuit and make history.
Speaking in support of the Ibom Peoples Movement, Barrister Adesina Oke requested to join the lawsuit for Akwa Ibom citizens’ right to self-determination and called for an end to the Nigerian State’s political and economic colonization of Akwa Ibom.