Imprisoned leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has told the Federal Government that he will not seek his release after being freed by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
This is contained in a letter dated August 25, 2023, signed by Kanu's principal lawyer, Mike Ozekhome, SAN. The letter was made available to our correspondent late on August 28, 2023.
Ozekhome expressed concern over the dismal state of the Kanu Detention Center under the custody of the Ministry of Civil Services. The lawyer requested that the Chief Justice of the Federal Capital Territory appoint a judge to review the detention center.
According to Kanu, seeking his freedom at this stage insults the memory of the late Pa Mbazulike Amech who, despite his age and ill health, traveled to South East Abuja several times to plead for honor of the Federal Government. his dying wish, which was treated with utmost contempt and also disrespected.
These were the highlights of the meeting between the IPOB leader and his lawyers and family, according to a statement by Kanu's lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor: “An update on our routine visit to our tireless client, Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, in the state. Security headquarters in Abuja where he continues to be held illegally and unconstitutionally in solitary confinement.
Ejiofor said: "Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu used the occasion of the visit to express his heartfelt gratitude to all well-wishers and groups who have called for his release. However, he noted that many people may not have understood the specifics of his case, but urged us to clarify that he is effectively and validly acquitted by the judgment of the Court of Appeal dated 13/10/2022 which also said it denied him further trial and detention. Therefore, there is no charge pending against Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.the court today.
“Furthermore, Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has unequivocally stated that asking the Federal Government to release him is an insult to the memory of the late Pa Mbazulike Amaechi who despite his age and ill health has traveled from the South East to Abuja several times asking the Federal Government about Nigeria to honor his dying wish which the Federal Government treated with great contempt and it was respected.
"Therefore, Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is convinced that there is no need for him to ask the FGN for his release. The Court of Appeal has already ruled on the matter and it has now remained sacrosanct.
"Therefore, anyone in good faith who finds himself in a situation of continued unlawful imprisonment should petition the Supreme Court to set a date for an expedited hearing of the federal government's appeal, as provided in the Criminal Appeals. Supreme Court Practice Guidelines.
“We visited our tireless client Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu today, August 28, 2023, to inform him of the various interim measures taken by the legal team led by Professor Mike Ozekhome, SAN to address his concerns about his welfare and that the SSS is not. could use the right for him. medical history. “For this, our learned Senior Counsel Prof.
Mike Ozekhome SAN has petitioned the Honorable Federal Judge for the appointment of a Judge to visit and inspect the SSS facility/cell where Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has been kept in solitary confinement since June. 2021 to date as per the relevant provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
“After the SSS denied access to the medical records of Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, as presided over by Honorable Justice Binta Nyako, the learned Senior Counsel, Prof. Mike Ozekhome, SAN, in a judgment dated July 20, 2023, compelled this shameless disregard.of the court order of the SSS, which did not initiate contempt proceedings against the State Security Service.and its director general for flagrant violation of positive court orders.
