Democracy Day: Nigerians Seek Release Of Nnamdi Kanu
Mazi Nnamdi Kanu the leader of the indigenous people of people
LAGOS – Nigerians have intensified calls for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the embattled Leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB).
Some of the Nigerians who spoke to Sunday Independent, at the weekend, expressed worry over the continued detention and trial of Kanu, despite several court rulings for his release.
It would be recalled that during a ministerial briefing in Abuja and after the recent appearance of Kalu at a Federal High Court in Abuja, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister Of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), said that only the court can decide if Kanu could be given bail or not.
Fagbemi, who was responding to a question, had said: “If I see Nnamdi Kanu, I don’t know him. So, Nnamdi Kanu is being held under the rule of law and the court.
“Let’s wait for the decision of the court. No one will be held outside the laws of the country.”
One of the citizens, Barrister Emeka Iheonu, a Lagos lawyer, while urghing the Federal Government to discontinue the trial, said the IPOB Leader never at any time called for war against Nigeria.
Speaking with Sunday Independent in Lagos, Barrister Iheonu, said: “I believe the Federal Government should discontinue the terrorism trial of Nnamdi Kanu and free him from detention.
“Firstly, he was agitating for a peaceful, rather than violent breakout of the region described as Biafra, from the Nigerian nation. I never heard that he called for war against Nigeria.
“Secondly, a similar agitator for a separate Yoruba, Mr. Sunday Igbogho, who was detained in Benin Republic on the application of the Nigerian government under former President Muhammadu Buhari administration, has since regained freedom, even without undergoing trial.
“Furthermore, the continued detention of Kanu has been the reason for the several violent acts witnessed in the Eastern Region and perpetrated by people who are against the detention and trial of Kanu.”
Speaking on the same issue, Prof. John Ebhomien, a chieftain od theAll Progressives Congress, stated: “The terrorism trial of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has come a long way.
“The trial, which is surrounded with so many challenges and controversies, has become worrisome.
“The trial, which had been embroiled with hydra-headed problems, requires expedited fair hearing.
“The trial judge should ensure that justice is done in this matter in accordance with the rule of law.
“Mazi Namdi Kanu deserves bail and freedom. The way and manner he is being treated in the Department of State Service (DSS) custody can best be described as man’s inhumanity to man.
“It simply reminds me of the days of the apartheid regime in South Africa.
“To say that the trial of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has been delayed is not only unacceptable but also an understatement.
“According to the doctrine of Res ipsa loquitur, the facts are clear.
“My sincere appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in his characteristic spirit of magnanimity and prerogative power, should set Mazi Nnamdi Kanu free to reunite with his family on this May 29 Democracy Day.
“Nigerians want to hear this during his Democracy Day speech this May 29.”
Recall that Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja, few days ago, dismissed the request by Nnamdi Kanu for the restoration of his revoked bail and removal from the custody of the DSS to house arrest or prison custody.
The Judge said that the request had been brought before her by Kanu, dismissing it for want of merit.
In a ruling on Kanu’s request, Justice Nyako said that she found, as a fact, that Kanu jumped the bail earlier granted him, and escaped out of the country.
The judge also held that the sureties who stood for him in the earlier bail had applied to be discharged, and had been discharged on the grounds that they could not locate Kanu and did not know his whereabouts.
Justice Nyako said that the only option left for Kanu was to go to the Court of Appeal and should proceed to the appellate court to exercise his right of appeal.
The judge disagreed with Kanu’s lead counsel, that the Supreme Court held that the earlier bail granted him, ought not to have been revoked, adding that she had perused the Supreme Court judgment copy, and did not see the claim of the lawyer.
Kanu also berated the government for his continued trial, insisting not to stand trial before any court in Nigeria.
He claimed that any attempt to put him on trial would amount to a breach of Nigeria’s Constitution and international laws.
Kanu also berated counsel to the Federal Government, Asiwaju Solomon Awomolo (SAN), for perpetrating an act of illegality in a bid to prosecute him.
He maintained that he did not jump bail, rather he had to run away to save himself when security agents attempted to kill him by bombarding his house.
He stressed that his forceful rendition from Kenya by security agencies was illegal and against international convention.
Among top Nigerians who have been calling for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, is Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka.
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo as well as several other socio-cultural groups have also called for the release of Nnamdi Kanu to no avail.
Culled from Independent.ng
Published By Nwaiwu Chukwuebuka.
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