The leader of the Indigenous people of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, on Wednesday frustrated plans to arraign him and two of his associates before a federal High Court in Abuja.
He told Justice Ahmed Mohammed, before whom they were to be arraigned, that he doubted the judge’s ability to ensure fair trial in the case, prompting Justice Mohammed to withdraw from the case.
The judge, who was not averse to Kanu’s position, later directed the return of the case file to the court’s Chief Judge for reassignment to another judge.
Kanu and his associates, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi (identified as a Field Maintenance Engineer with MTN Nigeria Limited), were brought to court on Wednesday afternoon under heavy security provided by men of the Nigeria Police and the Department of State Services (DSS).
They were to be arraigned on six-count charge of treasonable felony, managing unlawful organization and illegal possession of firearms, among others, filed last Friday by the Federal Ministry of Justice.
Shortly after the case was called, Kanu sought the court’s permission to address it, which the judge granted without objection from his lawyer, Vincent Obetta and the Director of Public prosecution of the Federation, Muhammad Diri, who led prosecution team.
Kanu said he lacked confidence in the court, and that based on information available to him, he knew he will not receive fair trial before the court.
“I will not sacrifice the due process founded upon the principle of natural justice on the altar of speedy release from detention. In other words, I will rather remain in detention than to subject myself to a trial that I know amount to perversion of justice
“There have been several rulings delivered by competent courts of jurisdiction, which the DSS never respected.”
On ending his statement, the judge asked his lawyer if he (the lawyer) agreed with what his client said about the court. Obetta answered in the affirmative and proceeded to justify his client’s position by arguing that his client was at liberty to decide whether or not he has confidence in a court before which he was to stand trial. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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1966 to 70 still fresh in mind.
ReplyDeleteSo is decree 4
ReplyDeletewhen will the rule of law be respected in this Country
ReplyDeleteThis guy is getting unnecessarily famous for a cause which may be fundamentally flawed ab initio. Can anyone answer me this without resorting to abuse: 1. what are the willing states in the proposed Biafra and 2. which country or countries are her neighbours?
ReplyDeleteMake the research yourself...
DeleteNo state in the Igbo land has come out to support the agitators of a Biafra State which if it even happens will be land locked and totally surrounded by Nigeria like Lesotho in Southern Africa.
ReplyDeleteThe sad thing about these young idiots is that they are mostly too young or not even born when the last Biafra war took place. It was like a family at war as it pitched Nigerians against Nigerians and Friends against friends. I am Yoruba and I was just starting primary school when it happened. I lost 2 elder brothers in the war and it took over 10 years for the country to recover and start trusting each other again. I pray we never go back to that in our live time.
Thanks for the clarification. Pls don't call them young idiots. They are agitating for a cause which they believe in. One can only hope that the Nigerian state will progress initiatives which will make the young agitators feel less alienated and more integrated into the Nigerian society. Tony
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you.
ReplyDelete