Produce Nnamdi Kanu in court on Thursday, Ohanaeze tells FG

.Insists on dialogue, political solution

.As Malami files seven-count amended charge against IPOB leader

 COSMAS CHUKWU, Enugu

Apex Igbo socio- cultural body, Ohanaeze Ndigbo  has  urged the Federal Government to ensure that detained leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB,  Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is produced in court on Thursday October 21, being the next date of hearing.

 

Kanu  has been in detention since June 2021 when he was extradited to Nigeria from Kenya.

 

During the last adjourned date, the prosecution failed to bring to court from the custody of the Department of State Services, DSS, Abuja where he has been languishing for months.

 

To press for his release, IPOB had ordered  an economically and socially debilitating sit-at-home protest holding every Monday since August 9,2021 in the SothEast of Nigeria.

 

The group had even threatened to make the protest a month-long exercise should Kanu not be brought to court on Thursday.

 

There is deep rooted anxiety in the South East over his continued incarceration.

Governor of Kanu’s home state, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu had stunned political watchers last week with a call for his release and dialogue with the agitators.

 

In the same vein, many others have followed suit pointing out that the FG’s magnanimity should be extended to others perceived state enemies even as IPOB insists that Kanu did commit any crime and needs no pardon.

 

However, Ohanaeze  Ndigbo Monday demanded that Kanu be produced in court on Thursday and his being tried according to extant Nigerian laws.

In a statement, Alex Ogbonnia, the National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide posited that “the agitation and youth restiveness in the South East of Nigeria is simply a reaction or an effect or the consequences of an orchestrated alienation by the federal government over the years. The theory of causality quickly reminds us that a phenomenon or a chain of phenomena contributes to the production of other forms of phenomena; where the cause is partly responsible for the effect.

 

“On the other hand, not until some of the issues of obvious injustice against the Igbo are seen to be addressed, the chains of catastrophe that threaten the corporate existence of Nigeria may well-nigh be inevitable. History shows that it is extremely difficult to have peace amidst injustice.”

 

He added that “emphatically, we need not look elsewhere to know that IPOB is simply an exponent of Igbo collective sentiments and predicaments in our tortuous journey and an unquantifiable sacrifice for one Nigeria.”

 

Going down memory lane, Ogbonnia recalled that “The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Ambassador George Obiozor had in his inaugural speech on January 20, 2021 called on the Presidency to consider dialogue as a panacea to peace; insisting that the jackboot approach to the IPOB uprising will rather aggravate the precarious situation.

 

“Professor Obiozor, a seasoned diplomat and scholar urged the federal government to reconsider the use of force in solving the present national crises. Obiozor relied on his knowledge of history and international relations to explain that military and violent means to solve the national question is bound to fail as it leads to further national fractionalization; anarchy and eventual or inevitable disintegration, as in all empires or multinational states or countries.”

 

He therefore reiterated that  “Ohanaeze considers the use of dialogue and political solution as the only workable option open to the Presidency and indeed all men and women of goodwill that desire peace and sustainable growth for Nigeria.

 

“Ohanaeze recalls with consternation that on May 2, 2019, a federal government delegation led by the Minister of Interior, Abdul-Rahman Dambazau, held a meeting with national leaders of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria(MACBAN), as part of steps to address the country’s security challenges.

 

“The meeting was hosted by the Governor of Kebbi State, Alh. Atiku Bagudu. In attendance was the then Acting Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Muhammad Adamu.

 

According to him, Bagudu remarked: “This shows the seriousness of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration in tackling the security challenges in the country.”

 

The President of MACBAN, Alhaji Muhammad Kiruwa, also lauded the federal government for mulling such an important interaction.

 

Kiruwa noted, “this is the first of its kind in the history of this country, for the president to direct his security aides to interact with an aggrieved party to air its views even though “the Internet shows the global rating of Miyetti Allah as a terrorist group, yet the federal government has met with the body in search of peace”.

Similarly, he noted that: “During the time of President Umaru Yar’Adua, the Niger Delta was at the peak of youth restiveness and Yar’Adua opened a channel for dialogue and the matter was resolved.

 

President Goodluck Jonathan, during his incumbency, had set up a committee commonly referred to as the Presidential Committee on Dialogue with Boko Haram, an initiative which has been sustained by President Buhari administration. As at today, Governors in the North have openly demonstrated their desire for dialogue with dreaded groups terrorizing their regions; the videos clips abound.

 

“Based on the foregoing, the Ohanaeze structures, including the Council of Elders, Council of Traditional Rulers, the Igbo Governors, Igbo NASS members, government officials, Archbishops and the Clergy, stakeholders, youth and women wings, town union, etc are ready for a meaningful dialogue with the federal government of Nigeria on a plethora of challenges facing the Igbo nation and Nigeria. Our core objective is a sense of belonging in a country anchored on equity, justice and fairness”.

 

The statement further explained that “Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide enunciates that the guardrail of democracy is anchored on toleration, forbearance and dialogue. Good governance is merely an outcome based on the application of the democratic norms and values. And not until the right thing is done and seen to have been done, Nigeria will most likely continue in its downward spiral.”

 

Insisting a fair trial for Kanu ,Ohanaeze urged its representatives to live up to expectations.

 

“Finally, we urge the leader of Ohanaeze delegation to the trial of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife and our legal team led by the National Legal Adviser of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Barr. Joseph Ojodu and Barr. Goddy Uwazurike to put in their very best to ensure that his release

Meanwhile, the federal government has filed a seven-count amended charge against the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, three days to his appearance in court.

According report, the amended charge, which was filed by the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, borders on treasonable felony and Kanu’s alleged involvement in acts of terrorism.

The IPOB leader will be re-arraigned before trial Justice Binta Nyako on Thursday.

 

Meanwhile, the Senator representing Anambra North, Ifeanyi Ubah, on Monday, filed a motion before the Federal High Court in Abuja to compel the Department of State Services, DSS, to allow him to have access to Kanu in detention.

 

SaharaReporters had on October 15 reported that Ifeanyi Ejiofor, the lead counsel to Kanu, stated that he (Kanu) enjoined IPOB followers to proceed on a fast ahead of his trial on October 21.

 

Ejiofor had in an update added that Kanu and the legal team were confident of victory and no excuses would be tolerated from the Department of State Services.

 

Ejiofor noted that Kanu was strong and ready to appear at the Federal High Court in Abuja on October 21.

 

The IPOB leader’s lawyer had said, “As the D-Day approaches, the legal team is not leaving any stone unturned towards ensuring that all the “t’s” are crossed and “i’s” dotted.

 

“It was indeed an eventful visit as our indefatigable Client found as laughable, the series of false narratives being spread to the public domain, ostensibly sponsored by the agents of darkness who are very deep in their dream to prevent his appearance in court, and to create a state of panic in the minds of his followers.

 

“Prominent among the falsehood desperately championed by mischief makers is the trending subject that our dear Client, Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has been flown to China, and from China to Israel, and from Israel to Kontokatafi etc. We know the purveyors of these fake news and they are aware that their evil conspiracies are dead on arrival.

 

“Onyendu was equally amazed by another fake news that was making headline in some social media quarters, that he was asked to sign any document before regaining his freedom. This is total falsehood and he is urging his esteemed followers to please ignore this falsehood.

 

“Above all, our indefatigable Client is strong and tenaciously holding firm in spirit. He is ready for the 21st October 2021 appearance in court. This date is SACROSANCT and shall remain so.

 

“Thankfully, the Federal Government of Nigeria is fully aware of this date, and more compelling is the fact that the detaining authority has since over a month ago, concluded every purported investigation into the matter. Hence, no plausible excuse will be available to them not to produce Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in court come Thursday, the 21st Day of October 2021. You must all see him live and direct on this date.

 

“Our Client – Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu urges millions of his followers and supporters to continue to conduct themselves and carry on within the ambit of the laws, as you all have always done. More strikingly and commendable is the fact that your solidarity has remained unshaken against all intimidating circumstance, and for this, he is deeply grateful.

 

“Onyendu advised his supporters and millions of followers to go into dry fasting as the D-Day approaches, because resounding victory will be ours on this date and the Almighty Chukwuokike Abiama will be given the glory and adoration in the end.”