By Adadareporters
The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, Monday, accused the federal government of planning to detain him indefinitely.
Kanu was reacting to the cancellation of the hearing of his case on Sept 14, where he wants the Supreme Court to determine the legality of his continued detention after the Court of Appeal, Abuja, had discharged and acquitted him.
Kanu’s reaction was contained in a release by IPOB’s lead counsel, Barr Ifeanyi Ejiofor, after his visit to Kanu at the custody of the State Services in Abuja.
The release questioned, “Why is the federal government of a country of over 200 million people afraid of one man’s case? A federal government which invaded Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s house in Afaraukwu Ibeku and killed over 28 innocent civilians; a federal government that criminally abducted Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from Kenya and extraordinarily renditioned him to Nigeria. What exactly are they afraid of?”
Kanu, in the statement, said FG’s appeal against the judgment of the Court of Appeal which discharged him and prohibited his further trial and detention would not be heard ‘because FG intends to illegally detain him indefinitely’.
Ejiofor wrote, “There is presently no charge pending before any court against Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Yet, he is still being detained based on an unprecedented Order of Stay of Execution, in total disregard to his constitutionally guaranteed right to personal liberty.
“Kanu is only exercising his right to self-determination, a globally recognised right, which is also provided for in the Nigerian Constitution and other international conventions and treaties which Nigeria is signatory to.
“Whether the appeal is heard today, or not, the truth remains unchanging – Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has not committed any offence known to law; if he had, FG would not be afraid of prosecuting their own case. Kanu is not guilty of any offence, neither has he committed any offence known to law. On the contrary, the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) has repeatedly and unconscionably wronged him.”
Kanu accused FG of instigating ‘our people to revolt, so that their lawless and untrained security agents will invade Biafra land and massacre and abduct innocent people’.
He however called for calm among his supporters, adding that, “It is now clear that it is the same people who are responsible for the insecurity in our land that are doing everything within their powers to ensure that the appeal is not heard expeditiously.”
Kanu recalled how FG invaded his ancestral home in Afaraukwu Ibeku, Abia State in September 2017, ‘forcing him to flee for his life’.
Ejiofor stated that, “Kanu’s parents never recovered from that terrible and traumatic experience and consequently died. The FGN pursued him to Kenya and criminally abducted him, tortured him and extraordinarily renditioned him to Nigeria.
“The FGN is also frustrating the expeditious hearing of the appeal they lodged against the Court of Appeal’s judgment before the Supreme Court.
“If the FGN is not afraid and have nothing to hide, they should ensure that their appeal is heard as soon as yesterday. The ordeal Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is presently passing through is a reflection and confirmation of the inherent hatred and disdain the Nigerian state has against Biafrans, which is the reason why Mazi Nnamdi Kanu embarked on this tortuous journey for the self-determination and emancipation of Biafrans.”
Kanu claimed his dwindling health is caused by the inhuman condition he is subjected to at the custody.
Ejiofor stated, “The air conditioner (AC) unit in Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s cell is an espionage AC with gadgets hidden inside it. This is largely responsible for the ear problem he is presently experiencing, which is further worsened by the beatings and severe torture he was subjected to in Kenya before his extraordinary rendition to Nigeria.
“Kanu consequently directed that we should request the inspection of his cell by a magistrate in line with the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
“That he, Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, wishes to respectfully draw the attention of the Lord Justices of the Supreme Court to the provisions of Supreme Court Practice Directions 2013 (Criminal Appeals), which is intended to eliminate unnecessary delay in the hearing of criminal appeals. It is even more so in the instant case, where Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is now being detained in an unprecedented manner after he had been freed by the Court of Appeal. The Supreme Court is respectfully urged to stand on the provisions of its Practice Directions, to fix a date for the expeditious Hearing of the Federal Government’s Appeal against his freedom and liberty.
“It is indeed unfortunate that because of one man, Nigeria is destroying all the safeguards contained in her laws, because of the selfish desire to detain Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, illegally.
“Sadly, the government now determines who is guilty and no longer the courts. The sanctity of judicial pronouncements has been destroyed because of the inordinate desire to punish one man.
Indeed, there was a country!”
