Kanu’s Legal Team Threatens Withdrawal From Trial Over Access Dispute

The legal representatives of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), have issued a stern warning, threatening to withdraw from his ongoing terrorism trial. The catalyst for this ultimatum stems from alleged restrictions imposed by the Department of State Services (DSS), impeding their full access to Kanu, who has been held in custody for nearly two years.

Speaking to reporters in Abuja on Wednesday, lead counsel Alloy Ejimakor emphasized the legal team’s unwavering stance against any process that could compromise Kanu’s pursuit of justice.

“We will not participate in the assassination of justice in a Nigerian court over the head of Nnamdi Kanu. We will refuse to be part of the programmed injustice,” Ejimakor asserted.

The legal team decried the DSS’s actions, citing difficulties in adequately preparing Kanu’s defense against terrorism charges leveled by the federal government due to restricted access.

Nnaemeka Ejiofor, another member of the legal team, condemned what he termed as Nigeria’s “illegal rendition” of Kanu from Kenya, labeling it an international crime committed by the federal government using its security apparatus.

“If Nigeria were a human being, she would have been sent to prison for committing the heinous crime,” Ejiofor remarked, demanding accountability for those involved in Kanu’s alleged kidnapping.

He argued that Kanu’s advocacy for self-determination and a referendum on Nigeria’s unity does not constitute a criminal offense warranting imprisonment. Ejiofor highlighted the need for a constitutional review, criticizing the 1999 Constitution as an extension of military decree rather than a product of popular consent.

Ejiofor emphasized that Kanu’s continued detention, despite court orders, signifies a blatant disregard for the rule of law, echoing the Supreme Court’s ruling that Kanu’s detention lacked legal basis.