Fani-Kayode hails 112 Owerri women as strong and courageous Amazons after they are released

FORMER aviation minister Chief Femi Fani-Kayode has praised the recent release of 112 women by the police in Owerri after they were set free following their application for bail before the high court which went through unopposed.

Last Friday, the women were arrested and on Monday this week, they were arraigned in court after they demonstrated in Owerri asking the federal government to conduct a referendum for the creation of the Independent state of Biafra. They also demanded to know the whereabouts of Mr Kanu and threatened that the 2019 general elections would not hold if the referendum was not conducted.

On Thursday, there was an outrage in Owerri, the Imo State capital after the authorities at the Owerri Federal Prisons denied family members access to the women. However, prison spokesman James Madugba, said the authorities did not allow family members of the detained women to visit them because of prevailing circumstances.

Yesterday, however, all the arrested women were released after the judge told the police to set them free  unconditionally after the bail application filed by the lead counsel to the women, Ejiofor Uche, was not opposed. There was no police representation in court and subsequently the bail application was granted and the women freed unconditionally.

Chief Fani-Kayode said: “I am delighted to hear that the 112 Igbo women that were detained in Owerri were released yesterday. I congratulate these beautiful, strong and courageous Amazons on gaining their freedom and I commend their lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, for his noble efforts."

It is not yet clear if the women will still face any charges or if they will stage another demonstration. They are demanding that the federal government produce Mr Kanu, who has not been seen since September last year when his father's compound in Umuahia was raided by the Nigerian Army.