The leader of the proscribed
Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has said that his release
should not in a way be based on mercy or pardon, but in obedience to the rule
of law.
This is contained in a statement issued yesterday by
the IPOB lead counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, entitled: “Upholding the rule of law is
more important to me than anything else” – Nnamdi Kanu and obtained by Sunday
Sun.
Ejimakor stated that during his visit to Mazi Kanu at
the weekend, he made it abundantly clear that while he is deeply appreciative
of the efforts and the widespread calls being made by well-meaning individuals
and groups to secure his release, he, however, instructed his legal team to
issue the following clarifications:
“The matter of releasing Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is not an
act of mercy, pardon, executive clemency or even amnesty. Instead, it should be
an act of simply complying with the subsisting Federal High Court judgment that
declared his detention as unconstitutional or even the extant international
tribunal decisions that separately declared his detention as unlawful.
Alternatively, the decision to free him from detention and discontinue his
infamous prosecution can be made by simply resorting to the constitutional provisions
that empower the Attorney-General of the Federation (on the directives of the
President) to discontinue any prosecution.
“Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is adamant that nobody
should plead or beg anybody on his behalf because he has committed no crime.
Self-determination which is the real issue that got twisted to suddenly become
a high crime is an inalienable right guaranteed under the laws of Nigeria, the
United Nations, the United Kingdom and Kenya.
Thus, the perverse and unlawful criminalisation of his
exercise of this right should not unwittingly be encouraged through some
misguided appeals for pardon, clemency or mercy. Thus, releasing Mazi Nnamdi
Kanu is not an act of mercy or pardon, but an act of abiding by rule of law.
“Inasmuch as those calling for his release are
sincere, their calls for pardon or clemency may be misconstrued as a green
light to the executive branch or even the courts to violate the rule of law by
continuing to subject Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to a prosecution or trial that does not
comport with the tenets of the Constitution and Nigeria’s treaty obligations.
“Instead of begging, those desiring his release should
emulate the language and tact used by Afenifere, Ohanaeze, World Igbo Congress
(WIC), ranking members of the National Assembly, American Military Veterans of
Igbo Descent (AVID), Ambassadors for Self Determination (based in America), the
international community and a host of others who have made it clear that Mazi
Nnamdi Kanu deserves to be released because he has committed no offence known
to law. If truth be told, it is Nigeria’s executive branch which
extraordinarily renditioned Mazi Nnamdi Kanu that should show contrition for
resorting to extraordinary rendition which is a state crime under international
law and the common law. If any begging must be done, it should be directed to
the courts to conduct his cases and that of IPOB with the utmost impartiality
and adherence to rule of law, equity and good conscience.
“Most importantly, Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu sincerely
thanks everyone working assiduously towards the restoration of security,
tranquility and good order in his beloved Igboland.”
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