Thread by @InibeheEffiong

Someone drew my attention not long ago to the List. This is a List that was developed as a proposal before those listed in it were approached. I became interested in the Alex Saab's case due to the following reasons:

1. I have a close relationship with Saab's lawyer in Nigeria.

https://twitter.com/ose_anenih/status/1381138329656233985

2. The case is of interest to me because of the legal and diplomatic issues at stake, particularly the ECOWAS Court involvement.

3. Someone that I know and worked with in the past spoke to me about it and requested that I offer legal hindsight on it and also tag some accounts.

4. I respect my relationship with people except where there is a clear indication of impropriety.

Ordinarily, there's no way that I will go on social media to speak against the interest of someone that is being represented by a lawyer that I have a close relationship with.

I have moderate knowledge about international affairs and diplomatic disputes. This case is primarily about the position of the US, particularly during the Trump administration, on the Nicolas Maduro regime which is not recognized by the US because of his communist policies.

The harsh economic sanctions imposed on the Maduro regime has led to humanitarian crisis and has almost crippled the Venezuelan economy. Saab was working to reduce the effects of the sanctions.

The Venezuelan opposition leader is a young, Pro-West politician and anti-Maduro.

I have followed the Venezuelan diplomatic dispute with the US for a long time. I understand the US position. The point is that Cape Verde is a member state and a party to the Treaty that established the ECOWAS Court.

Should Cape Verde disregard the decisions of ECOWAS Court?

At some point, I decided not to tweet again about the case when certain facts came to my knowledge. I'm neither a blogger nor an influencer. I'm struggling to understand the insinuations made by some persons. Someone even said Inibehe has lost "credibility". Isn't that silly?

By the grace of God, I'm neither broke nor greedy for money. I've consistently rejected and turned down mouth watering monetary offers from people in power in Nigeria, including at least two governors. I don't think demanding due process in the Saab's case is a credibility issue.

Social media is a place where people take pleasure in making baseless comments. I've said in clearly why I tweeted about the case.

My tweets were specifically about respecting ECOWAS Court, the diplomatic dispute and the need for due process. I see nothing wrong in them.

Alex Saab possibly has a case to answer in the US. But if you look at it objectively, the ECOWAS Court didn't just take decisions for the sake of protecting him. I know many people are not really interested in the merits, they just love the sensationalism. Read more about it.

I know that some people aren't going to be satisfied with what I have tweeted in response to the case. Well, that is their business and I can't help them. Maybe it would have been better if I had stayed off the case completely. But I've stated my reasons. I'm not an "influencer".

We should be sympathetic to the Venezuelan people. US sanctions has made it almost impossible for Venezuela to export crude oil. Mr Saab was on his way to Iran to negotiate economic relief for Venezuela and how to bypass the sanctions when he stopped over in Cape Verde to refuel.

Venezuela has insisting that Saab is their envoy on humanitarian relief.

They've presented documents to show that Saab is a diplomat and is covered by diplomatic immunity.

Like the US, Switzerland also wanted to arrest Saab. But they've dropped the case due to lack of evidence.

Typo: Venezuela has insisted, not 'insisting' please.

I've reservations about Maduro. But the common people are the ones suffering the effects of the sanctions which made an already struggling economy worse.

USA should also look at African leaders with stolen assets in the US.