By Uche Amunike
The detained leader of the secessionist group, Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has vowed, Tuesday, not to beg the federal government for his freedom, as it would be an insult to the memory of the Late Mbazuluike Amaechi, whose dying request to the federal government was to have him released from custody.
This was made known by lead counsel to IPOB, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, who addressed newsmen in Owerri, after their visit to the detained leader at the detention facility of the State Security Services (SSS) in Abuja.
He explained that they visited Mazi Nnamdi Kanu on the August 28th, 2023 to give him updates on the different intervening actions that were taken by the legal team, which was headed by Professor Mike Ozekhome (SAN), to address certain concerns affecting his welfare and the failure of the SSS to avail him of his medical records.
He further stated that they made an application to the Honorable Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory to appoint a magistrate that will inspect the cell where Nnamdi Kanu has been held in solitary confinement since he was detained in 2021 till date, in pursuance to the relevant provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
His words: ‘Following the SSS’ refusal to avail Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu with his medical records, as directed by Hon. Justice Binta Nyako, in the judgment delivered on the 20th day of July 2023, our erudite Lead Counsel – Prof. Mike Ozekhome, SAN, was compelled by this brazen disregard to an order of Court by the SSS, to initiate a contempt proceeding against the State Security Service (SSS) and her Director General, for this gross violation of positive Orders of Court.’
‘Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu used the opportunity offered by the visit to extend his heartfelt gratitude to all people of good conscience and groups calling for his release. He however, observed that many people may not have understood the peculiarity of his case, but proceeded to urge us to clarify that he has been effectively and validly discharged by the judgment of the Court of Appeal, delivered on the 13th day of October 2022, which said judgment also prohibited his further trial and detention. Therefore, there is no charge pending against Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu before any Court as of today.’
He further stated that the detained IPOB leader, specifically said that he would not beg the federal government to release him at this point, because it would be an insult to the memory of late Mbazulike Amechi, who, in spite of his age and ill health, repeatedly travelled from the southeast to Abuja to plead with the federal government of Nigeria to honor his dying wish, which was treated with greatest disdain by the federal government. He felt sad that that wish was not honored.
He Added: ‘Thus, Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is of the firm view that he does not need to beg the FGN to release him. The Court of Appeal has already made a pronouncement in that regard and that pronouncement has remained sacrosanct to date. Therefore, the call every person of goodwill should make in the circumstance of his continued illegal detention is for the Supreme Court to set down a date for the expeditious Hearing of the Appeal filed by the Federal Government, as provided for in the Criminal Appeals Practice Directions of the Supreme Court.’
