IPOB leader 'in hiding', not held by government - Lai Mohammed insists

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed has dismissed claims that the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, is in government custody.

While speaking to Agence France-Presse (AFP), the minister said the claims were incorrect, saying that he suspects Kanu is hiding from prosecution.

Denying the claims that the government has secretly imprisoned him, the minister said, "He's not being held by government at all."

The separatist leader has not been seen in public for over a week after the military allegedly invaded his father's home in Umauahia, Abia state capital.

His supporters claim that he has been abducted by the government just as his pro-Biafra group was branded a terrorist organisation by the government.

On Wednesday, September 20, the Federal High Court in Abuja granted the Federal Government an interim injunction proscribing activities of IPOB.

This came after the separatist group was officially branded a "militant terrorist organisation" in a statement by Director, Defence Information (DDI), Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, on Friday, September 15.

This was followed up by an official proscription of activities of the group by the South East Governors' Forum later on Friday after an emergency meeting in Enugu.

Kanu, who is currently on bail on charges of treasonable felony, is expected to appear at the Federal High court in Abuja on October 17 to resume trial.

He was granted bail by Justice Binta Nyako on Tuesday, April 25, with Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Jewish High Chief Priest, Immanuu-El Shalom Okabemadu and a Chartered Accountant resident in Abuja, Tochukwu Uchendu, signing his bail bond.