The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, urged Justice Binta Nyako of an Abuja Federal High Court on Sunday to acquit and discharge its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, at the next adjourned date.
Acquitting Kanu, according to IPOB, would demonstrate that the judge was not compromised or blinded by bias.
On April 8, 2022, Kanu’s trial before Justice Nyako would resume.
Before Justice Nyako, the IPOB leader is facing a 15-count terrorism-related charge.
However, IPOB’s spokesman, Emma Powerful, described Kanu’s 15-count charge as “empty and devoid of substance.”
Powerful stated in a signed statement that the charges against Kanu are unconstitutional due to his rendition from Kenya, which violates international law.
According to Powerful: “The global movement and family of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ably led by our great leader Mazi Nnamdi KANU wish to raise concern over the continuous detention of our great leader Mazi Nnamdi KANU in the Nigeria DSS custody.
“Only a judge that is manifestly compromised and biased will even contemplate not acquitting our leader Mazi Nnamdi KANU come 8th day of April 2022. Justice Binta Nyako must be firm in upholding justice without fear and favour otherwise she will ridicule herself amongst judicial colleagues both internally and within the International community.
“This position is based on the fact that the 15 counts amended charges upon which his case is predicated are empty and has no iota of substance whatsoever. The emptiness of these laughable charges has been well marshalled out/comprehensively discussed in the 46-page objection filed by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s erudite legal team.
“Most importantly is the fact that you cannot build something on nothing and expect it to stand. No trial can be entertained in any court in Nigeria in so far as the abduction of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in KENYA and his extraordinary rendition to Nigeria is still a grave violation of international law, which crime Nigeria Government is still guilty of.”
Powerful maintained that the IPOB leader never committed any crime, stressing that the charges are frivolous.
He added: “Mazi Nnamdi KANU has never committed any crime and this position is very obvious going by the frivolous 15 count amended Charges which has nothing attached to it as evidence.
“The Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami completely agreed with the foregoing position in which his erudite and compelling Article was published in our penultimate press statement. You can’t turn the law upside down and as such, no court in Nigeria has the jurisdictional competency to try Mazi Nnamdi KANU.
“What is expected to happen on 8th Day of April 2022, is total acquittal and discharge of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and nothing more.”