Nollywood filmmaker Ernest Obi has berated the Nigerian Army over the arrest of his colleague Chiwetalu Agu at the Upper Iweka in Onitsha, Anambra State for wearing an outfit made with the Biafran flag.
According to the army in a recent statement, Chinwetalu Agu was picked up for inciting members of the public to join IPOB.
“Troops of Nigerian Army (NA) have arrested one Chiwetalu Agu while inciting members of the public and soliciting for support for the proscribed Indegenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Dressed in a very well known attire of the proscribed group, Chiwetalu Agu was picked up for questioning while inciting members of the public to join the proscribed group. Though he attempted putting up some resistance when troops made efforts to take him into custody, he was not assaulted or subjected to brutalization.
“While the NA recognizes the inalienable rights of the citizenry to freedom of movement and expression as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, it is apparently a violation for any individual or group to incite the public to cause mayhem or break down of law and order. It is therefore pertinent to state that while exercising such freedoms, it must be done within the confines of the law, bearing in mind the imperative for peace, and national security,” the statement by the Nigerian Army read in part.
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However, Ernest Obi in a post on his official Instagram page declared his support for Chinwetalu Agu, while also insisting that the veteran actor has the ‘right to stand for what he believes in.’
The filmmaker wrote thus on IG: “High Chief CHIWETALU AGU. I stand with You And Your Right To Have A Right To Stand For What You Believe In.
“I Asked.
“Were You Armed?
“Were You Leading A MOB?
“Arsonists?
“Flag Waving murderers ?
“Were You Calling Citizens up To Arms?
“Did You Murder scores of Children and Women to Propagate whatever Your ideology is?
“Have you ever sacked dozens of villages and kidnapped and raped and maimed their children?
“Have Government Officials Ever Come To Beg You Loads Of Money to End Your Killing spree. Taking pictures and videos whilst you strut around with your AK47 rifle?
“NO..NO…No!
“Enough. Enough. Enough…
