Victor Ezeja…Urge Court To Affirm Kanu’s Fundamental Rights
Southeast Council of Traditional rulers and representatives of Igbo Archbishops have expressed concern over the nature of treatment given to the legal team of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu by the Department of State Services (DSS), especially during his court appearance on Wednesday November 10 2021.
The joint body made its position known in a statement released on Friday co-signed by His Royal Majesty, Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha, His Grace Most Rev. Anthony Obinna, Catholic Archbishop of Owerri, and His Grace, Most Rev (Dr) Chibuzor Raphael Opoko, Methodist Archbishop of Umuahia.
The group urged the court to affirm the fundamental rights of Kanu and his team of lawyers, adding that “failure to do so would lend weight to the suspicion in some quarters of a planned secret trial, as well as neutralise all efforts being made to establish peace in the Southeast,” the group stated.
During the last appearance of Kanu at the Abuja High Court for trial on charges brought against him by the Federal Government, one of his legal counsels, Bruce Fein from United States who came to observe the proceedings was denied access into the court room, a development that enraged other members of the legal team led by Ifeanyi Ejimofor to stage a work out of the court in protest.
Journalists, Igbo traditional rulers, activists and observers were also barred from entering the court room to observe the proceedings.
The trial judge, justice Binta Nyako, who apparently got angry over the walk out by Kanu’s lawyers, said anybody who wants to attend the trial must write to her.
The court session abruptly came to an end when Mrs Nyako adjourned the trial to January 19 and 20, 2022.
The Southeast body said it acknowledges the statement by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami which affirmed that the Federal Government was open to a political solution to Kanu’s case.
It added, “This statement is in line with the proposal earlier made by this joint body and other well meaning persons and groups in Nigeria.
“This body therefore eagerly awaits the concrete steps that would be taken in this regard.
Members of the body commended Kanu and the entire leadership of the IPOB for calling off the sit-at-home in Southeast which has helped to ease the economic challenges of the people, and also the peaceful atmosphere under which the Anambra State governorship election was held.
The body commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, the National Peace Committee and all other groups who worked to ensure that the Anambra election was successful.
The group also stated that it “acknowledges roles played by various other Igbo organisations and groups in fostering peace in the Southeast zone and calls on all to sustain the current effort until true peace, based on justice and equity is achieved in our land.”
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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