Title: Nnamdi Kanu Declares He Will Not Beg for Release, Suggests Supreme Court Intervention
Subtitle: Leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, dismisses the idea of appealing to the Federal Government for his freedom, citing the memory of the late Pa Mbazulike Amechi in a letter to his counsel.
Date: August 28, 2023
Nnamdi Kanu, the prominent leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has stated that he will not plead with the Federal Government for his release. Following his clearance by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja, Kanu conveyed his decision in a letter dated August 25, 2023. The letter, signed by Kanu’s lead counsel, Mike Ozekhome, SAN, firmly asserts that begging for freedom at this stage would dishonor the late Pa Mbazulike Amechi’s memory.
Pa Mbazulike Amechi, despite advanced age and failing health, continually journeyed from the South-East to Abuja to implore the Federal Government to fulfill his dying wish. Regrettably, the government disregarded his pleas, exacerbating Kanu’s determination not to seek release through pleas. These revelations surfaced during a meeting between Kanu, his lawyers, and family members, as confirmed by Kanu’s counsel, Ifeanyi Ejiofor.
According to Ejiofor, during the meeting, Kanu expressed gratitude to all individuals and groups that have advocated for his release. However, he also emphasized that many might not fully comprehend the uniqueness of his case. Kanu urged his legal team to clarify that the Court of Appeal categorically discharged and prohibited further trial and detention against him through a judgment delivered on October 13, 2022. Consequently, Kanu has no pending charges before any court at present.
Kanu’s assertion remains resolute: he refuses to beseech the Federal Government for his release as it would belittle the memory of Pa Mbazulike Amechi’s struggles. Reiterating the court’s previous pronouncement, Kanu believes his release should be pursued through expeditious Supreme Court appeal hearings initiated by the Federal Government. To this end, his legal team, under the leadership of Prof. Mike Ozekhome, SAN, has requested the Supreme Court to set a date for the prompt hearing of the appeal, complying with the Criminal Appeals Practice Directions.
On August 28, 2023, Kanu’s legal team visited him at the Headquarters of the State Security Services (SSS) in Abuja. Their purpose was to brief Kanu on various actions taken to address concerns over his well-being and the SSS’s failure to provide him with his medical records. In response to this issue, Prof. Mike Ozekhome, SAN, the lead counsel, has submitted an application to the Honourable Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory. The request seeks the appointment of a magistrate to inspect the SSS facility where Kanu has been held in solitary confinement since June 2021, as outlined in the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
Furthermore, due to the SSS’s refusal to obey the court’s order given by Hon. Justice Binta Nyako in her judgment on July 20, 2023, Ejiofor highlighted that Prof. Mike Ozekhome, SAN, initiated contempt proceedings against the State Security Service and its Director General. This move was made in response to the SSS’s blatant violation of court orders and their failure to release Kanu’s requested medical records.
The ongoing legal battle for Nnamdi Kanu’s release continues, with his legal team fighting for justice and proper treatment in accordance with the law.
Note: This rewritten news article expands on the original information provided, emphasizing key points and providing more detail on the actions taken by Kanu’s legal team.
