Dons Eze
- Biafra News
- April 5, 2024
- 92 views
NNAMDI KANU APPEALS HIGH COURT RULING ORDERING CONTINUATION OF TRIAL
NNAMDI KANU APPEALS HIGH COURT RULING ORDERING CONTINUATION OF TRIAL The detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has appealed against the decision of a Federal High Court (FHC), Abuja dismissing his objection to his trial continuation. Kanu, in a notice of appeal dated and filed March 28 through his team of lawyers led by Aloy Ejimakor, prayed the Court of Appeal, Abuja to allow the appeal and set aside the trial court’s decision. The IPOB leader had filed a preliminary objection seeking an order for some conditions to be met by the Federal Government before his trial at FHC could proceed. He had alleged that the Department of State Service (DSS) personnel often seized documents of his lawyers during visitation, stopped his lawyers from taking notes, eavesdropped on his consultation with his lawyers on matters pertaining to his defence, among others. He alleged that he had not been given adequate time and facilities to defend himself in accordance with Section 36(6)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). But Justice Binta Nyako of a FHC had, in a ruling on March 19, declined to grant the objection of the detained IPOB leader. The judge, who ordered accelerated hearing of the trial, also dismissed his application for bail. However, Kanu, in the notice of appeal, listed the Federal Republic of Nigeria as the sole respondent. He argued that the trial court erred in law when the court assumed jurisdiction to proceed with the hearing of the criminal trial against him when he was glaringly denied the constitutional right to fair trial. He alleged that he was denied adequate facilities to prepare for the defence of the criminal allegations against him and his right to counsel of his own choice, thereby occasioning a grave miscarriage of justice. “The denial of the appellant (Kanu) the opportunity to interact and brief his counsel on what line of defences the appellant tends to agitate in the trial court and rely on was adequately brought to the attention of the trial court by motion. “The trial court failed and neglected to make necessary orders that would protect the appellant’s aforesaid rights but rather held that the court cannot dictate how the respondent carries out its work,” he said. He said the trial court had the power to order the respondent to cease and desist from interfering with his constitutional right. Besides, Kanu said the lower court had the power to order an alternative custodial arrangement or non-custodial arrangement for him, where it is impossible for the respondent to comply or where the respondent persists in the act. He said: “Denial of the appellant’s right to adequate facilities to prepare defence as enshrined in Section 36 (6) (b) of the 1999 Constitution is a jurisdictional issues in the absence of which the trial court cannot assume or proceed with the jurisdiction over the case unless and until such facilities are accorded to the appellant.” Kanu argued that though he had prayed the court to stop the DSS alleged unconstitutional acts of forcibly seizing and photocopying confidential legal documents brought to him by his lawyers meant for his defence of the charges against him, the court declined to grant the plea. He said the trial judge erred in law when the court ordered for accelerated hearing despite the consistently refusal of the respondent to afford him the right to adequate facility to prepare for his defence of the charges levelled against him and his right to counsel. According to him, the order for accelerated hearing of the case in face of the constitutional breaches of fair hearing/trial rights of the appellant is a credence to the respondent to proceed on the unconstitutional denial of the appellant…
- Biafra News
- April 2, 2024
- 84 views
EFFORTS ON TO RELEASE NNAMDI KANU – REPS DEPUTY SPEAKER
EFFORTS ON TO RELEASE IPOB LRADER, NNAMDI KANU – REPS DEPUTY SPEAKER The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has revealed that there are ongoing efforts to secure the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB). He said while legal processes are underway, concerted political solutions are being pursued behind the scenes to ensure the release of Kanu. Addressing the issue during a special edition of “The Ben Kalu’s Mandate,” a radio program on FLO FM in Umuahia, Abia State, Kalu said a deliberate approach was being taken to achieve the objective. He clarified that the Peace In South East Project (PISE-P), an initiative he recently launched to address security challenges in the region through non-kinetic measures, remains committed to reconciliation, including involving Nnamdi Kanu in the peace agenda. His words: “The PISE-P has reconciliation in the mix of what we are trying to achieve. We recognize the importance of our brother, Nnamdi Kanu, in the peace agenda we are pushing. That’s the truth. And I have been very vocal about it. I am not hiding it. “I have always told people that I will never deny Nnamdi Kanu. He’s my brother. We come from the same place, and I will never be happy having him incarcerated when we can have him out and increase our pursuit towards peace. “But we may not advance all the things we are doing backdoor, but I can assure you that all the powers-that-be in this country know that people like us are not sitting on the fence. I don’t know about the next person but I am talking about Benjamin Okezie Kalu. I am not sitting on the fence about it. I am lobbying. “We cannot go about this before the court. I am more interested in using a political solution towards resolving this. So, I am asking for one or two things from the federal government. “The last time I was with Mr. President, I discussed with Mr. President on the need for the elders of Igbo land to come, sit and engage with him. And I know that one of the topics that will come up there is this our brother. “We will also thank him for all the good things, the appointments he has been giving to Igbo people. So, while the court is doing what they are doing, I will not truncate legal processes, but some of us are not afraid to identify with him and to ask for him to be released. “Any other thing can follow up after that. So, that is what is going on at the moment, and those who are close to him will assure you we are working closely on this mandate. Is it achievable? The answer is yes. “And I am happy with the statement that he made the last time he was in court. He said all those who are causing violence are not IPOB people, that anybody who is using his name to be causing violence is a hater of Ndi Igbo. “Look, Igbos are not known for violence. We are known for trade, being creative. Call it Nollywood; we are the engine room that started the creative industry. We are not thieves, not known for violence. We put our energy towards creating wealth.“We are not life killers, and anybody coming now to introduce what is strange to us, it’s either the person is not an Igbo man, or we should question where he is coming from.”
- Biafra News
- April 2, 2024
- 81 views
MBAH, SOUTH EAST GOVERNORS CONSPIRING TO DESTROY US – IPOB
MBAH, SOUTH EAST GOVERNORS CONSPIRING TO DESTROY – IPOB WeThe Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has accused the Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, and other Southeast governors of conspiring to destroy the group. The IPOB’s spokesman, Emma Powerful, raised the alarm in a statement issued on Monday. Powerful said IPOB is working hard to provide security and direction that many Southeastern Governors have failed to deliver. He further alleged that IPOB’s counterparts in the North are being funded and protected by the Nigerian government, unlike Southeastern governors. Emma Powerful added that the conspiracy to destroy IPOB would fail because they remain the last line of defense in the region. The statement read: “The attention of the global family and movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ably led by the great and amiable leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has been drawn to the plan of the Nigeria selected Governor of Enugu State, Dr Peter Mba, to destroy IPOB in that state. “It is unfortunate that Peter Mba wants to tread the path of shame and destruction, which he has seen backfire on others who have tried. “IPOB is working hard to provide security and direction that many Southeastern Governors have refused or failed to provide. “While their counterparts in the Northern territory are being funded and protected by the Nigerian government, Southeastern Governors are conspiring to destroy IPOB, who is their last line of defense in Biafra Land.”