The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has distanced itself from the assassination of Ahmed Gulak, a former presidential aide and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a statement released on Tuesday by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful, the group rejected allegations linking it to Gulak’s death.

Powerful clarified that Gulak was killed on Sunday, May 30, 2021, while IPOB’s sit-at-home directive for the annual May 30th Remembrance Day was observed the following day, Monday, May 31.

Describing the claims as baseless and deceptive, he stressed that the APC stalwart was murdered in Owerri, the Imo State capital, a day before the group’s planned 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.