NWABUEZE OKONKWO
Five years after the Biafran currency, Pounds was introduced and test-run, the
Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has
re-constituted a seven-man Biafran currency implementation committee charged
with the responsibility of re-introducing the Biafran Pounds in the West African
markets.
MASSOB also sent a passionate appeal to President Goodluck Jonathan to order the
department of State Security Services (SSS) in Owerri, Imo State to release
Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) and a motorbike it seized from the leader of the
movement, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, since Uwazuruike is not under investigation.
Addressing MASSOB members in Onitsha, Anambra State, yesterday, the Deputy
National Director of Information, Mazi Chris Mocha, stated that the Biafran
currency would henceforth hit major markets to exist side by side with other
foreign currencies and to also, compete favourably with them.
Mocha explained that the currency which was test-run between June 19, 2005 and
February 11, 2006 when it was temporarily put out of circulation for some
obvious reasons, is being re-introduced on demand by Igbo leaders and
businessmen, pointing out that better working arrangement is currently being
worked out between MASSOB and managers of some financial institutions to ensure
smooth exercise.
He, therefore, cautioned MASSOB members against the use of force or intimidation
of anybody to collect the currency, since according to him, the use of the
currency was always voluntary, adding that the exercise was part of an
indication that all the programmes lined up by MASSOB to actualize Biafra are
gradually being implemented to the letter.
The MASSOB spokesman recalled that a combined team of SSS, police and soldiers
had on August 27, 2005, gained access into Uwazuruike’s Freedom House at Okwe,
near Okigwe in Onuimo council area of Imo State and forcefully removed an Isuzu
Rodeo SUV with registration No. AT 127 WER valued N4 million, a motorcycle BMW
fitted with siren valued N1.05 million, 16-inch mattress, eight GSM handsets and
six packets of telecom gadgets.
He also recalled that on August 30, 2005, Mr. Alex Amechina, former Director of
SSS in Imo State, led another operation to the Freedom House and allegedly
removed a white Lincoln Navigator SUV with registration No. TEXAS FV 39B valued
N14 million; a Toyota Land Cruiser SUV No. CZ 572 LND, valued N8 million; a
Yamaha generating plant, valued N120,000 and thereafter set ablaze 31 canopies
and 2115 plastic chairs belonging to Uwazuruike.
He described a situation where the security operatives in Owerri are still
holding those property in their custody as extremely against genuine democratic
practice, moreso, when no verdict of guilt had been established against
Uwazuruike by any court of competent jurisdiction.
He contended that their demand for the return or release of the seized
properties are based on the fact that Uwazuruike is not under investigation,
neither is he a security risk, not a criminal, adding that he can not even run
out of the country.
He estimated the cost of depreciation caused to the seized properties, as well
as damages for general deprivation of the use of the vehicles and the motorcycle
at N27,620 million only.
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