Nnamdi Kanu’s Lawyers Decries Continued Detention, Backs Political Resolution

The legal team representing Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has condemned the handling of his case, describing it as a gross miscarriage of justice and a violation of constitutional rights.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, the team, led by Aloy Ejimakor, outlined a series of events they claimed highlight systemic injustices in Kanu’s nearly decade-long legal battle.

They insisted that there is an unholy alliance between the prosecutor and the courts in the trial of Kanu which is unconstitutional.

In chronicling the issue, Ejimakor said Kanu, first arrested in Lagos in 2015 after he arrived from London, has been charged with offenses linked to his broadcasts on Radio Biafra.

Since then, they said his case has been mired in prolonged detention and procedural controversies.

The lawyers led by Ejimakor said despite a Federal High Court’s declaration that his detention is unconstitutional and awarding damages for his extraordinary rendition from Kenya in 2021, Kanu remains in custody.

His legal team has criticized the Federal Government for its persistent non-compliance with court rulings, including the October 2022 Court of Appeal judgment that discharged him of all charges.

The legal team led by Aloy Ejimakor and including Nnaemeka Ejiofor, Maxwell Opara, Jude Ugwuanyi, Patrick Agazie, Mandela Umegborogo, and Magnus Nwangwu stated their position on his matter at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday in statement title, “Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and the emasculation of justice.”

The lawyers also decried the handling of Kanu’s bail, which was revoked under questionable circumstances.

They argued that the federal government lied to the Nigerian people and the court that Kanu had violated his initial bail by fleeing abroad when the actual fact was that Kanu had to run to safety elsewhere to preserve his life when the military in its operations invaded his community to the death of his father.

Although the Supreme Court later ruled against the bail revocation and cast doubt on the impartiality of the Federal High Court, Kanu remains in detention.

His legal team questioned the selective enforcement of court rulings, arguing that if the government insists on a trial, it must equally comply with the Supreme Court’s decision on bail restoration.

Further, the legal team raised concerns over the fairness of the trial process.

They alleged that the Department of State Services (DSS), where Kanu is detained, has obstructed his access to legal counsel and confidential defense preparations.

They insisted that “it is our view that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is undergoing persecution and state-sanctioned extra-judicial detention and not trial.”