HURIWA slams S/Court over extension of Kanu’s case

*Condemns fresh charges
Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), on Thursday, criticised the Supreme Court over adjournment of the hearing of the case involving the acclaimed leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

HURIWA also alleged that the Federal Government’s fresh nine new grounds of appeal against Kanu was incredibly criminal. Besides, HURIWA accused President Muhammadu Buhari of creating the spectacular security crises in Igboland by his arbitrary execution of draconian military action against perceived members of the proscribed IPOB, stressing that military actions since Nnamdi Kanu was first arrested has undermined peace, economic growth and have created security nightmares in South-Eastern States.

HURIWA asked President Muhammadu Buhari to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu immediately and unconditionally in compliance with an extant judgment of the Court of Appeal which freed Nnamdi Kanu.

HURIWA, in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, said the perpetual adjournment of the case of the IPOB leader by the courts since mid-2021 is a tactic by the regime of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) to perpetually deny Kanu of his fundamental right to freedom.

The group called on the United Nations Human Rights Council to visit to Kanu in the custody of the Department of State Services to ascertain the health condition of Nnamdi Kanu and hundreds of other detainees including those who have disappeared without trace since Muhammadu Buhari’s civilian junta came on board in 2015.

At the resumed hearing on Thursday, counsel for Nnamdi Kanu, Mike Ozekhome (SAN), informed the court of his motions seeking for bail of his client and another seeking for his transfer to Kuje Correctional Center to get proper medical attention, citing his failing health at the custody of the DSS.

The court subsequently fixed May 11 for a hearing on the pending motion and the main appeal.

But Onwubiko has frowned at the Apex Court’s alleged extension of the illegal detention of Kanu while political cases were decided rapidly.

“The Supreme Court must be the bastion of human rights protection but the current set of justices are in love with political litigation and care less about fundamental right issues.
“Also, the fresh nine charges brought against Kanu by the Nigerian Government is an afterthought to keep denying Kanu his fundamental rights.

“We unequivocally demand Kanu’s unconditional and immediate release from illegal incarceration.

“We Call for UN Human rights council’s visit to DSS facilities to ascertain the conditions of Nnamdi Kanu and hundreds of other detainees including those who have disappeared without trace since Muhammadu Buhari’s civilian junta came on board in 2015”, Onwubiko said.