Ifeanyi Ejiofor, the Lead Counsel to Nnamdi Kanu and the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Thursday night said that the legal team of the Nigerian-British activist is “not one bit perturbed” by the position taken by President Muhammadu Buhari over deploying political solution to resolve the issue of the prominent detainee.
POLITICS NIGERIA recalls that President Buhari had few weeks ago promised to consider the request to release Kanu when a delegation of Igbo elders led by nonagenarian first Republic Aviation Minister, Chief Mbazuluike Amechi visited him. But the President, in an interview with Channels TV on Wednesday night, said emphatically that he would not release the IPOB leader, insisting he must defend his actions and utterances in court.
The President said there was a possibility of political solution for the pro-Biafra separatist leader, but he would not interfere with the judiciary.
“So, we are giving him an opportunity to defend himself in our system, not to be abusing us from Europe as if he was not a Nigerian. Let him come here with us and then criticise us here. Nigerians know that I don’t interfere with the judiciary, let him be listened to. But those who are saying that he should be released, no, we cannot release him”, Buhari had said.
Ejiofor in his reaction via his known Facebook page, described the President’s position regarding the release of Kanu as a “stereotyped response” even as he demanded that the Nigerian leader refrain from interfering in the judicial process.
Read the full post by Ejiofor below:
UPDATE ON OUR ROUTINE VISIT TO OUR INDEFATIGABLE CLIENT – ONYENDU MAZI NNAMDI KANU AT THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE SERVICES (DSS) ABUJA, TODAY BEING THE 6TH DAY OF JANUARY 2022:
We visited our most revered Client today as routinely guaranteed by the Court protocol at the DSS. Interestingly, a number of engaging developments were discussed including yesterday’s stereotyped response by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN), on issues relating to political solution in our Client’s case.
We were not one bit perturbed by his response knowing fully well that they have no case against our Client.
What we are earnestly asking for is nothing else, but for the executive arm of Government led by the President of the FRN, to desist from further interfering in the judicial process. We can authoritatively confirm to the World that the executive arm of the Government of the FRN, ably led by the President is gravely and effectively interfering in our Client’s judicial proceedings.
To demonstrate good faith and impartiality, we beckon on the President of the FRN to first caution the DSS which answers solely to him, to obey all Court Orders as it relates to the management of this case.
Our Client, Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu should not be detained in solitary confinement (which is an act of torture) in the custody of the same Agency accusing him of committing sundry offences and expect fair hearing. Hence, there is no independence of the judiciary as far as this case is concerned, and the President of the FRN is fully aware of this.
If it is the position of the President of the FRN to allow fair hearing, he should follow up and ensure its reality, most promptly.
In view of the ongoing and incessant abduction and/or disappearance of numerous innocent citizens in the south east, Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, admonished all and sundry, particularly his followers/supporters, to be wary, vigilant and circumspect at all times, particularly as it relates to calls and contacts from unknown persons.
Onyendu as usual, sends his appreciation to all his ardent followers who have remained undaunted and defiant against all odds.
Thank you and remain blessed, UMUCHINEKE.
