…As Ohanaeze youths caution FG against premature celebration
The Igbo Lawyers Association (ILA) says it has started mobilizing other lawyers across the world ahead of the July 26 trial of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The secession agitator, who jumped bail in 2017, was re-arrested recently from an undisclosed country through the collaboration of the Nigerian security and intelligence agencies, and authorities from other nations.
The Federal government has remained silent on the particular country Kanu was re-arrested. However, his lawyer Ifeanyi Ejiofor said his client was arrested, tortured and detained for eight days in Kenya.
Kanu, who is currently being detained at the custody of the Department of State Service (DSS), would continue his trial on July 26, 2021.
The President of ILA, Chief Chuks Muomah (SAN), who was represented by Chief Ukpai Ukairo at a media briefing on Tuesday, condemned the manner Nnamdi Kanu was intercepted and brought to Nigeria.
He also said the association would ensure that the British government reverse the “illegality of that interception” of Kanu who is a dual citizen of both Nigeria and Britain.”
“We are doing this because we want the British government to ensure the reversal of the illegality of that interception.
“We are also giving notice that Igbo Lawyers Association is mobilizing lawyers from across the globe to put up the best defence available under municipal and international law in defence of the rights of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu,” he added.
Meanwhile, the youth wing of Ohanaeze Ndigbo has urged the Federal government not to celebrate the re-arrest of the IPOB leader.
The Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) spoke on Wednesday, in a statement jointly signed by its President-General, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike and the Secretary-General, Comrade Obinna Achuonye.
The group said Kanu’s re-arrest would not bring to an end the various agitations in the zone, adding that the government should not jubilate over it.
OYC said it took time to react to Kanu’s re-arrest because it needed to gauge the pulse of the people, advising that the government should use the opportunity to address the various issues fueling the agitations.
It said: “It is no longer news that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has been taken into custody by the Nigerian government, after he was arrested in Kenya.
“We have also seen how the government is gloating over his arrest, as though it is a millennial achievement. In any case, if the government will care to listen, we advise once more that it should leverage on Kanu’s arrest to dialogue with the IPOB and other agitating groups.
“The Federal government should look at what brought about the agitation in the first place; if you end up treating just symptoms of a sickness, the ailment will still be there. Ndigbo have never suffered this level of marginalization in Nigeria- total exclusion, total abandonment.
“So, the FG should douse the current tension and agitations in the South-East by giving the region a sense of belonging, what is due for them, including Igbo presidency in 2023. The crackdown on Kanu will end up producing hundreds of other Kanu.
“May we also tell the government to utilize the same energy in arresting bandits terrorizing the North and the rampaging herdsmen ravaging Southern Nigeria. As we speak, all schools in Kaduna State have been shut down, with hundreds of school children under the captivity of the bandits, but the government is busy looking for Nnamdi Kanu and Sunday Igboho.
“The government must try to be civilized in its approach, not the kind of gestapo system used in invading Sunday Igboho’s house, we are not in a banana republic.
“Nnamdi Kanu should also be granted access to his family, medical doctor, lawyer and associates. He is still presumed innocent until proven guilty and for that he should be given a fair trial.”
While thanking Igbo and Yoruba youths for remaining calm, the OYC pleaded with Igbo leaders not to abandon Nnamdi Kanu.
“The IPOB leader should not be abandoned to his fate; we know that he abused so many Igbo leaders in his utterances, but you don’t throw away the baby with the bathwater,” they added.