Finland-based factional leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Simon Ekpa, has written to the United States (US) and European Union (EU) to impose a visa ban on Enugu State governor Peter Mbah.
Ekpa called for the visa ban on Mbah over an alleged human rights abuse perpetrated by the governor in Enugu State on Wednesday.
A demonstration by some people whose businesses were sealed by the state government for not opening for business on Monday due to the sit-at-home order from IPOB, turned violent resulting to the death of three persons.
Mbah had on June 5 banned the observance of sit-at-home in the state, urging residents to go about their legitimate duties on Mondays and other days. He had also stepped up security around the state.
The governor had threatened to sanction businesses and institutions that refused to open on Tuesday.
Pro-Biafra agitator, Ekpa, thereafter wrote to the EU and US over the killings and asked that a visa ban should be imposed on Mbah for violating the citizens’ fundamental human rights.
“We wish to bring to your notice the gross violation and fundamental human rights abuses of the people of Enugu State, Biafra (in Southeast Nigeria) by Peter Mbah, the governor of Enugu State,” the letter read in part.
“Peter Mbah is confiscating and locking up people’s businesses and means of sustenance without recourse to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or any chatter, treaty or convention known anywhere in the civilized world, thereby denying the people of Enugu State the right to personal property and free enterprise.
“We request that you impose a visa ban on Governor Peter Mbah and add him to the list of terrorists and haters of freedom and democracy in Nigeria.”
Enugu residents took to the streets on Tuesday, in protest against the continued Monday sit-at-home in the state, expressing support for Governor Mbah to end the illegal exercise.
