By Ogechukwu Ubah (Abia Writers)
Edited and published by Joseph Afokwalam
On 17th January 2022, a day before Nnamdi Kanu's court date which was 18th January 2022, the Nigerian government served Nnamdi Kanu's lawyers the new 15 amended charges against him. According to Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor, his lead counsel, the 15 amended charges were filed by the director of public prosecutions of the federation regarding a case already scheduled for hearing. He went on to say that " we wish to categorically point out with dismay, that these further amended charges are the WORST kind of abuse of legal process that we have encountered in the history of legal practice --- either in Nigeria or anywhere in the world". He also said that the new charges aim to prolong proceedings, leading to needlessly initiating processes that will delay the trial.
The Nigerian government deliberately brought those charges very late because they knew that the lawyers would need to study the new charges. Does it mean that Nigeria doesn't have rules and regulations guiding serving and filing charges? The Nigerian government is good at disobeying court orders with impunity and having no regard for judiciary and judicial processes.Not only causing a delay in the court process, but it also inflicts pains, inconveniences and expenses on Mazi Nnamdi Kanu's supporters. Although they are not complaining, a court case that will last for a week or two will be prolonged for months.
Prolonging the case will not change anything because the Nigerian government knows that Nnamdi Kanu has committed no crime. They are just filing false charges against him, which they cannot defend. They have no evidence to prosecute the case; hence they keep delaying it. In all these court dates, how many judgements have they given? Instead, they run away from their court with a series of adjournments. The more they delay this case, the more Nigeria will continue to expose their backwardness or incompetence to the world. Each time Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has a court date, it will be one excuse or the other. If not that DSS fails to bring him to court, it will be that the judge did not come. Sometimes, it will be a logistics issue; this time, it is filling new charges.
If enemies of Biafra restoration and corrupt politicians want to use the Mazi Nnamdi Kanu's court case to campaign their way to Aso Rock, they shall all be disappointed. Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo said they have set aside a particular amount of money for the campaign of Igbo president. How do they think that Nnamdi Kanu will be in the DSS dungeon and they will have a free and fair campaign and election? They are making a mistake. They are supposed to fight for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu first before any other thing.
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