The Indigenous People of Biafra has denied any involvement in the murder of a former presidential aide and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Ahmed Gulak.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful, the group rejected claims linking the Biafra group to Gulak’s death.

Reacting to the claims, Powerful said Gulak was murdered on Sunday, May 30, 2021, while the sit-at-home observance declared for the annual May 30th Remembrance Day in 2021 was held on Monday, May 31.

While dismissing the claims as false and misleading, the IPOB spokesperson said the APC chieftain was killed in Owerri, the Imo State capital, a full day before the IPOB observance.

“This timeline alone proves that IPOB had no involvement in his death. Linking the tragic event to IPOB is baseless,” the statement read.

IPOB also addressed the recent introduction of Gulak’s death certificate during the ongoing trial of its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. According to the group, the certificate has “no relevance to the context of the trial.”

The group further criticised what it described as “media misrepresentation,” urging media outlets to adhere to the principles of “truth, accuracy, and objectivity.” IPOB called for transparency in reporting and demanded that “the full transcript of court proceedings be reviewed before spreading unverified claims.”

“We call on all responsible media outlets to prioritise factual reporting and avoid spreading narratives that could mislead the public,” the statement concluded.

IPOB also reiterated its demand for the “immediate and unconditional release” of its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who it claims is “unlawfully detained in violation of local and international law.”

This comes hours after the Federal High Court in Abuja admitted Gulak’s medical report and death certificate as evidence in the ongoing trial of the detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who is facing terrorism-related charges.

Justice James Omotoso, who presided over the proceedings, allowed the documents tendered by the prosecution through a witness identified simply as BBB, following no objection from the defence team led by Kanu Agabi (SAN), alongside Chukwuma-Machukwu Ume (SAN) and Aloy Ejimakor.

The prosecution, led by Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), presented the documents, which included a police report from Owerri, Imo State, linking Gulak’s death to gunmen suspected to be members of IPOB.