The Senior Advocate of Nigeria on Sunday, January 10, warned MASSOB members against declaring independence on February 20, 2016.

Recall that leader of MASSOB, Ralph Uwazuruike had announced plans to set up a parallel government in the South-East and South-South geopolitical zones. He said elections would hold on February 20 into wards, provinces, districts, regions and zones of the South-East and South-South, which he declared as Biafran territories.

According to him, Biafra would also introduce its currency, the “Biafran Pound.”

Uwazuruike had also expressed optimism that the Biafran National Electoral Commission would hold a credible election.

Sagay in his warning said such an act would amount to treason which is a grievous crime, adding that any election that is not constitutional is tantamount to overthrowing the government in power.

“That (proposed election) is sheer treason because the constitution is very clear that you cannot come to power other than through the provisions of the constitution. So, anybody doing that now is not only breaching the constitution but is also committing treason.

“They will all be rounded up and detained and charged. And let no one cry on their behalf and make noise about human rights because if you want to overthrow the state, you should know that anything can happen after that and you will face the consequences,” he said.

Prof. Sagay recently hinted that Biafran agitation became so intense after the immediate past administration of president Goodluck Jonathan because the Igbos are trying to intimidate President Muhammadu Buhari into ceding positions they do not merit.

The lawyer also disclosed that he received insults and death threats from Igbo people for expressing his opinion on the renewed agitation for Biafra republic.