TheCable

Lauretta Onochie, personal assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on social media, says the fresh threats issued by the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) may be as a result of the court invitation to former President Goodluck Jonathan.

On Friday, the militants said they would resume attacks on oil facilities in the Niger Delta.

Announcing a suspension of its ceasefire with the federal government, the group had said: “We can assure you that every oil installation in our region will feel the warmth of the wrath of the Niger Delta Avengers.”

Writing via her Twitter handle on Saturday, Onochie wondered why the fresh threat is coming at a time when Jonathan is wanted as a witness in a money laundering trial.

Jonathan, who hails from the Niger Delta, is being asked to appear as a witness to defend Olisa Metuh who was spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party during his time as president.

Metuh is being tried for alleged money laundering.

Although Jonathan had filed an application objecting the witness summons, the court insisted he must appear.

Onochie hinted that the NDA coming alive — after it suspended attacks due to a peace deal with the government — could be connected to the court’s insistence on Jonathan’s appearance.

“A Nigerian court insists (former) president Jonathan appear before it and the Niger Delta Avengers come alive! Still wondering who owns the NDA?” she wrote.

A Nigerian Court insists Pres Jonathan appear before it & the Niger Delta Avengers come alive! Still wondering who owns the NDA?

— Lauretta Onochie (@Laurestar) November 4, 2017

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