Ike Ekweremadu’s attackers risk 10-year jail as Nigeria seeks prosecution under German law

The Nigerian Embassy in Germany has called on German authorities to unmask the identity of and try the August 17 attackers of Ike Ekweremadu in Nuremberg, Germany.

In a statement on Monday in Berlin, the embassy also demanded that the attackers be tried in accordance with German laws. Under German law, physical assaults are punishable by fines or imprisonments of up to 10 years.

The embassy stated that investigations would help identify the attackers with a view to bringing them to justice.

The Nigerian embassy, which said that investigating the perpetrators would discourage any individual or group from carrying out acts of violence against Nigerian government officials on German soil, cited the threat by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to carry out similar attacks on Nigerian dignitaries especially from the Eastern part of the country that would travel abroad.

“The attack happened at an event organised by Nigerians in Germany under the auspices of a socio-cultural organisation known as Ndigbo Germany, a registered entity in the Federal Republic of Germany.

“Invitations were extended to Nigerian dignitaries, including the Distinguished Senator and Nigeria’s Ambassador to Germany, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar.

“The organisers reportedly requested for police protection to ensure public order during the event, but were told that the threat level was minimal and did not require the stationing of any personnel at the venue before the incident.

“The embassy has requested a thorough investigation of this attack with a view to identifying the perpetrators and bringing them swiftly to justice in accordance with German laws,” the embassy stated.

-NAN