Igbo lawyers Association has revealed its true position on the trial of Mazi Nnamdi kanu which will be coming up on 21 October, 2021.
Kanu, who is the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB – has been in detention since June, after he was arrested in Kenya and extra-renditioned to the Nigeria by the Country’s secret Police.
The IPOB is billed to appear in court on Thursday 21, Oct, but unconfirmed reports says the Nigerian secret Police, DSS may not produce him just as they did the last time he was supposed to appear for his trial.
Rising up from its meeting, Igbo Lawyers Association, ILA, demand for the DSS and the court to grant Kanu a fair hearing, having committed no offense known to law.
The group in a communique signed by the coordinator, V C Onweremadu and the secretary, Felix Jonathan – demand the IPOB leader be produced in court and grant a fair hearing.
ILA however, said had the federal government dialogue with the IPOB there wouldn’t have been tension in the region. Its calls on President Muhammadu Buhari led federal government to give a listening eye to the yearning of the group rather than designating them as terrorists.
The full communique read…
1. Igbo lawyers Association insist that Mazi Nnamdi kanu must be produced in court come 21st of October 2021. As our group will entertain no excuse for his unavailability in court on this day.
2. We Caution the Security Agents to respect the wishes of our people who are to sit at home on that day and nobody should be harm, arrested or molested. Let the Security Agents be reminded that it was during a peaceful rallies conducted by unarmed youths at various points in the South East during which rallies our people who were merely praying for Mazi Nnamdi kanu victory in court on that day were gunned down by trigger happy Security Agents. The bloody onslaught continued in Afo Mkpo where many were murdered in cold blood.
3. Let the World be put on Notice that these death has not be swept under the carpet, that the killings must be challenge in court soon.
4. We emphasise that what the group is craving for is justice, and fair hearing for Mazi Nnamdi kanu and his release from detention without further ado. Mazi Nnamdi kanu has not committed any offence known to law through his peaceful agitation, the Federal Government having failed woefully to engage them.
5. Today Northern elders have maintained serious influence and discrete bargain with the FGN to look into the demands of Bandits, BokoHaram and Monstrous Fulani Herdsmen and attention is descretly being given to their demands but IPOB don’t deserve the mercy and attention of the Government, those effectively agitating/exercising their constitutional guarantee rights to self determination are being killed like flies by Nigeria Security Agents.
6. We Put the Government on Notice that Igbo Lawyers as a group will be sending delegates of senior lawyers in solidarity on that day.
7. Our people want to see Mazi Nnamdi kanu hale and hearty on that day and consequently regain his freedom which will substantially douse the rising tension in the south east.
8. Condemn in most strongest terms the continue detention of Mazi Nnamdi kanu and demand for his immediate and unconditional release because he has committed no offence known to law.
9) It is pertinent to note that our group is getting regular briefing from Ifeanyi Ejiofor the lead counsel to Mazi Nnamdi kanu on the development in the case in Abuja .
10) Igbo lawyers Association will continue to fight for the justifiable cause of Igbo man in where in the country.
Signed:
V C Onweremadu
Coordinator Igbo lawyers Association.
Felix Jonathan
Secretary Igbo lawyers Association.
