29th August, 2023
Michael Adeshina
Detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu said begging the Federal Government of Nigeria to release him at this point is tantamount to insulting the memory of late Pa Mbazulike Amaechi.
Kanu stated this while speaking with his lawyers, led by Prof. Mike Ozekhome, SAN, at the DSS prison on Monday.
Barr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor who documented the visit stated that Kanu revealed that PA Amaechi despite his age and ill health, repeatedly travelled from the South-East to Abuja to beg the Federal Government of Nigeria, to honour his dying wish, but his request was treated with greatest disdain.
Ejiofor said: “Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu used the opportunity offered by the visit to extend his heartfelt gratitude to all people of good conscience and groups calling for his release.
“He however, observed that many people may not have understood the peculiarity of his case, but proceeded to urge us to clarify that he has been effectively and validly discharged by the judgment of the Court of Appeal, delivered on the 13th day of October 2022, which said judgment also prohibited his further trial and detention. Therefore, there is no charge pending against Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu before any Court as of today.
“Furthermore, Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu unequivocally stated that begging the Federal Government to release him at this point is an insult to the memory of late Pa Mbazulike Amaechi, who despite his age and ill health, repeatedly travelled from the South-East to Abuja, begging the Federal Government of Nigeria, to honour his dying wish, which request was treated with greatest disdain by the Federal Government, and was also not honoured.
“Thus, Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is of the firm view that he does not need to beg the FGN to release him. The Court of Appeal has already made a pronouncement in that regard and that pronouncement has remained sacrosanct till date.
“Therefore, the call every person of goodwill should make in the circumstance of his continued illegal detention, is for the Supreme Court to set down a date for the expeditious Hearing of the Appeal filed by the Federal Government, as provided for in the Criminal Appeals Practice Directions of the Supreme Court.”
During the visit, Ozekhome also raised concern over the deplorable condition of Kanu’s detention facility in the custody of the Department of State Services.
The lawyer requested that the Chief Judge of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory should appoint a Magistrate to inspect the detention centre.