Nnamdi Kanu, 53, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) group, which wants a separate state for the ethnic Igbo people in the southeast, was arrested abroad in June and brought back to Nigeria to face trial. (Photo by Kola Sulaimon / AFP)
• Ezeife, Igbo leaders, Sowore, journalists barred from court
• ‘Sit-at-home’: Southeast on full compliance as schools, market, banks remain shut
• IPOB gives conditions to dialogue with FG
• We won’t relent until Kanu, detained IPOB members regain freedom, says Ohanaeze
• Explore dialogue, alternative resolution to ease tension, FG told
• Heavy security in Asaba over Kanu’s trial
After speculations about his health and whereabouts since his re-arrest in June, the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, finally appeared in court for his re-arraignment yesterday, eliciting some joyous reaction in court and most parts of the Southeast. His trial had been delayed for three months when authorities failed to produce him in court.
Kanu was brought into the court premises in a heavily fortified security convoy led by a black Prado SUV at exactly 8:00 a.m. Many were sceptical as to whether he was actually in the convoy considering that a similar drama took place on July 27 when he was first re-arraigned.
But two hours later, Kanu, who wore a white Fendi designer jumpsuit, was ushered into the courtroom by security operatives to face a seven-count amended charge bordering on incitement, terrorism, treasonable felony and money laundering.
The charges against Kanu, a British citizen, also included calling for secession, knowingly broadcasting falsehoods about President Muhammadu Buhari and membership of an outlawed group.
![[FILES] IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu in court](https://www.afriupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Nnamdi-Kanu-in-Court-120x86.jpg "IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu fails to regain freedom at Supreme Court 4")
Entrances leading to the court premises were barricaded by a combination of gun-wielding Department of State Services (DSS) operatives, the army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and men of the Nigerian Police, while a large number of security personnel were deployed to the premises and its surrounding to forestall any breakdown of law and order.
However, restriction of human and vehicular movements, baring of journalists from coverage as well as the harassment of lawyers, who had other matters in court, caused serious uproar and chaos within and around the court area. Security operatives also forcibly dispersed crowds of supporters who gathered nearby.
Even some select journalists finally made their way into the court premises, they were strictly restricted from going into Court 2 by the DSS who were allegedly acting on the directives of the trial judge, Binta Nyako.
Last Sunday, a soldier in uniform, ostensibly going to Onitsha/Southeast, suddenly parked off the expressway at Summit Junction in Asaba and went inside his Toyota Sienna car. By the time he came out, he had changed into mufti.
When jokingly asked why the change in dress, he retorted: “You want to tell me you don’t know what is happening in the East? Do you want me to die just like that?
“My brother, it is better to be alive in mufti than die in uniform. I have a family and cannot afford to leave them just like that.”
IPOB’s spokesman, Emma Powerful, said the group would listen to the Federal Government when its leader, Kanu, is released unconditionally. Powerful also noted that the Federal Government should set a date for the referendum on Biafra.
In a statement he signed, Powerful insisted that Kanu committed no crime to warrant being arrested and prosecuted. He maintained that Kanu should not be detained, while terrorists are roaming the streets freely.
According to Powerful: “Our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, committed no crime to deserve persecution by the Federal Government that is openly hobnobbing with real terrorists and Fulani bandits but crushing peaceful agitators. We demand the unconditional release of our leader. He should not be in detention while real terrorists and mass murderers are parading freely on the streets.”
Ohanaeze Ndigbo has said it will not relent till Kanu and his members regain their freedom. Ohanaeze aired their views via a press statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia.
The group said: “We are unrelenting in our resolve to ensure that the FG toes the path of wisdom by conceding to the proposal for dialogue and ADR, which will ensure the unconditional freedom of Kanu and all members of IPOB detained across Nigeria.”
In the statement titled, Ohanaeze wins as FG produces Kanu in court, the group noted that the government has bowed to pressure by producing their leader in court.
He said: “The diplomatic engagements by Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide under the able leadership of Prof George Obiozor has yielded a positive result as the Federal Government has through the DSS bowed to the overwhelming demands of Ndigbo by producing the IPOB leader in court. This is one step forward in Ohanaeze’s determined moves towards ensuring that the Afara Ukwu prince is set free in no distant time.”
Ohanaeze also commended Nigerians from all walks of life for the extraordinary interest and solidarity they have demonstrated in the ongoing trial of Kanu. It urged youths to show restraints, prudence and maturity even as they demand equity, justice and fairness.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Anambra chapter, has appealed to the Federal Government and other relevant authorities to as a matter of good conscience consider the release of Kanu to lessen the untold hardship people in the Southeast geo-political zone are passing through.
CAN said the wave of insecurity in Anambra is linked to the detention of Kanu and said that in the interest of the nation, Kanu should be released so that all aggrieved persons would sheathe their sword and embrace dialogue.
In a 10-point communiqué, jointly signed by the state chairman, Ven. Joseph Nweke; Secretary, Rev. Moses Echefu; Anglican Bishop of the Niger and chairman, Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN), Bishop Owen Nwokolo; and Bishop Onuagha, Methodist Archbishop of Onitsha, CAN note that the appeal was sequel to the observed security tension, wanton killings, destruction of property, a threat to lives and presumed doubts over the forth-coming gubernatorial election in the state on November 6.
BUT the youth wing of Ohanaeze Ndigbo has condemned the treatment meted out on some Igbo leaders, journalists and lawyers who were in court to observe the proceedings during Kanu’s trial. During the trial, a former governor of Anambra, Dr. Ezeife, a host of other Igbo leaders, journalists and lawyers were denied access to the court sitting.
In a statement made available to journalists, the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, urged Igbo youths to remain calm as underground efforts continue in order to secure Kanu’s freedom.
Also, Igbo youths under the aegis of Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL) condemned in strong terms the access denial of Ezeife to the courtroom by the DSS. The youth group who are not also happy how Senator Ifeanyi Ubah despite obtaining a court order to carry out his oversight function to inquire about the allegations on Kanu could not be allowed entry, further described the action by the DSS as undemocratic.
In a statement by the President-General of the group, Goodluck Ibem, noted that DSS’s action did not conform with the fundamental human rights as enshrined in the Constitution of Nigeria.
“Denying Ezeife, Senator Ubah and other Igbo leaders entry into the courtroom is an insult to Ndigbo. The DSS have desecrated the temple of Justice.”
Security operatives also barred activist Omoyele Sowore from accessing the courtroom to witness the trial. Sowore, who was dressed in traditional Isi-agu attire was told to go back by operatives of the DSS.
Sowore who spoke to journalists said he was at the court for a number of reasons. He said, “I am here to check the registry because for a while I have not been charged to court, I need to know about my treason case.
“Also, I am here to witness the trial of my friend, Nnamdi Kanu, the court is a public space and the public should not be barred from accessing the courtroom.
“People have the right to self-determination, Nigeria has not worked and will never work. So Nnamdi Kanu is not wrong and his trial should not be in secret.
“Security operatives have consistently failed to do their jobs and now you see them harassing journalists and lawyers.”
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