Ekweremadu: IPOB Members May Get 10 Years In Prison – Embassy

The Nigeria Embassy in Germany has disclosed that members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) that attacked Senator Ike Ekweremadu will be prosecuted under German law.

Naija News had reported earlier that Ekweremadu was attacked by the IPOB members in Nuremberg, Germany on Saturday, August 17.

This online news platform understands that Ekweremadu was attacked during the annual cultural festival of the Ndigbo, apex social-cultural group in the south-east.

Speaking after the ugly incident in a statement issued by Uche Anichukwu, his media aide, Ekweremadu assured Ndigbo and his supporters across the nation that he was safe.

“I attended the Second Annual Cultural Festival and Convention organised by Ndi-Igbo Germany in Nurnberg today where I was billed to give a keynote address along with the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo, who, however, could not make it eventually,” he said in the statement.

“I attended the Second Annual Cultural Festival and Convention organised by Ndi-Igbo Germany in Nurnberg today where I was billed to give a keynote address along with the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo, who, however, could not make it eventually,” he said in the statement.

“I was given a resounding welcome by Ndigbo in Germany and everything went smoothly until some men, who identified themselves as IPOB members stormed the venue and began to complain about the killings in the South East, stressing that there would be no Igbo event at the venue.

“I tried to engage them, but when they became unruly, I had to leave the venue. The organisers also invited the police and I was accompanied out of the venue,” Ekweremadu said.

Under German laws, physical assaults are punishable by fines or imprisonments of up to 10 years, depending on the gravity.

Reacting in a statement on Monday, the embassy revealed that it has requested a thorough investigation of the attack with a view to identifying the perpetrators and bringing them to justice.

The statement reads: “The Embassy of Nigeria, Berlin, Germany wishes to react to viral videos of a vicious physical attack on the immediate past Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate and serving Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Ike Ekweremadu, by some members an illegal and terrorist entity named Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) in Nuremberg on 17th August 2019.

“The attack happened at an event organised by Nigerians in Germany under the auspices of a socio-cultural organisation known as Ndigbo Germany, a registered entity in the Federal Republic of Germany.

“Invitations were extended to Nigerian dignitaries, including the Distinguished Senator and Nigeria’s Ambassador to Germany, His Excellency Yusuf Maitama Tuggar.

“The Nigerian Ambassador also honoured the invitation but arrived at the venue shortly after the incident.

“The organisers reportedly requested for police protection to ensure public order during the event but were told that the threat level was minimal and did not require the stationing of any personnel at the venue before the incident.

“The Embassy has requested a thorough investigation of this attack with a view to identifying the perpetrators and bringing them swiftly to justice in accordance with German law.

“This would deter future acts of violence against officials of the Nigerian Government on German soil particularly against the backdrop of threats by the proscribed IPOB to carry out similar attacks on more Nigerian dignitaries, especially those from the South-Eastern part of the country.”