Nnamdi Kanu Blasts FG for Holding Him Illegally Despite Court Order
The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has condemned the federal government for violating his fundamental rights by detaining him unlawfully despite a court order for his release.
Kanu expressed his frustration after the Supreme Court cancelled the hearing of his case scheduled for September 14.
Kanu had approached the apex court to challenge the legitimacy of his continued detention after the Court of Appeal, Abuja, discharged and acquitted him of all charges and prohibited his further trial and detention.
However, the federal government filed an appeal against the judgment of the appellate court, which has not been heard since then.
Speaking on behalf of Kanu after visiting him in detention, his lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, accused the federal government of being afraid of one man’s case and resorting to illegal tactics to keep him behind bars.
He said that the federal government had no valid charge against Kanu, who was only exercising his right to self-determination, a globally recognised right that is also enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution and other international conventions and treaties that Nigeria is a signatory to.
He said: “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?”
Ejiofor claimed that the federal government’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 the FG intends to illegally detain him indefinitely.
He said that Kanu’s detention was based on an unprecedented order of stay of execution, which disregarded his constitutionally guaranteed right to personal liberty.
He said: “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.
“Where in the world has it ever happened that the court discharged a person, ordered for his unconditional release, prohibited his further detention and trial, yet, that person is still being held in solitary confinement?
“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.”
Ejiofor demanded that the federal government should respect the rule of law and release Kanu unconditionally. He also urged the Supreme Court to expedite the hearing of Kanu’s case and uphold justice.
He said: “We are calling on the federal government to obey the court order and release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu without any further delay. We are also calling on the Supreme Court to hear our case as soon as possible and deliver justice to our client. “We will not relent in our quest for justice and freedom for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and millions of Biafrans who are yearning for self-determination.”
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