The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu was not denied a second bail application as originally thought, but was in realty refused his application to upturn the revocation of his existing bail and also to quash the arrest warrant issued by the court against him.
This clarification was made in a recent statement released by his lead counsel Barr Ifeanyi Ejiofor, who is also alleging that the misinformation in the media “about happenings in the court” was planted “by persons, whose satanic intents and purposes are to dampen the iron-cast spirit of the solid defence team”, which he vows will “never happen”.
Clariform reports that the IPOB leader was granted bail by the same Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court Abuja, but later revoked it when Kanu was unable to attend further hearings on the matter, which was a violation of the bail conditions.
Kanu has however, explained that his inability to attend hearing was beyond his control, as the Nigerian government had tried to murder him right in his country home in Abia State, which forced him to run for his life.
Barr Ejiofor also alleged in the statement that the Nigerian government is determined to frustrate every attempt to get the IPOB leader out of detention. However, that Kanu`s legal team remains undaunted in their effort to “bring innocent Nnamdi Kanu out.”
He said, “We are not unaware of the fact that the Executive is desperately frustrating every positive effort being made in Court to bring innocent Nnamdi Kanu out. However, we are not in any way deterred by these state-sponsored tactics from firing on all cylinders, to ensure the unconditional release of Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in the shortest possible time” said Barr Ejiofor.
Notable Quotes:
The statement released by Barr Ifeanyi Ejiofor was sequel to his meeting with Nnamdi Kanu in line with “Court-Ordered routine visit” to the IPOB leader. The said statement was obtained by Clariform, and reads in part:
“In line with the Court-Ordered routine visit, we visited our indefatigable Client – Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, at the DSS Headquarters, Abuja, today.
Today’s visit was eminently led by our legal Iroko, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, OFR ,Ph.D, Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s Lead Defence Counsel.
It was an auspicious visit to brief Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu on the renewed tactical approach being adopted in the prevailing circumstances by the erudite Lead Counsel. Onyendu was delighted with the speed of positivism of the advanced legal approach. Details remain private and confidential as instructed by the learned Lead Counsel.
It is to be noted that the defence team, ably led by Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, was not taken aback by the development in Court on 28th June, 2022, and neither was Onyendu himself taken by surprise.
We are not unaware of the fact that the Executive is desperately frustrating every positive effort being made in Court to bring innocent Nnamdi Kanu out. However, we are not in any way deterred by these state-sponsored tactics from firing on all cylinders, to ensure the unconditional release of Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in the shortest possible time.
We had good quality time with Onyendu, who is unshaken and unfazed by the antics of those determined to dampen his spirit. Rather, he maintains that his primary focus now is to ensure total peace in the entire South-East, while appealing to UmuChineke to be more focused now, more than ever.
In his usual effervescent nature, Onyendu thanked you all, millions of his supporters and UmuChineke, for defying every threat, to throng the Court in solidarity. He also appreciates those who observed quiet moments in prayers and supplication to the Almighty Chukwuokike Abiama throughout that day. He cannot thank you all enough.
Our erudite Silk and mentor,Ozekhome, SAN, seized the opportunity offered by the visit to issue a much needed clarification on some issues. He accordingly urged all to ignore the false and misleading information passed onto the media about happenings in the court by persons, whose satanic intents and purposes are to dampen the iron-cast spirit of the solid defence team. This will never happen.
To this end, the Learned Silk hereby, unequivocally makes the following clarifications:
- The Ruling delivered on the 28th day of June, 2022, by the Honourable Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, was never based on any second Bail Application by our team of Lawyers. Rather, it was a ruling predicated on an Application to vacate an earlier 2019 Order made by the same court which had revoked Onyendu’s bail, leading to the court issuing a bench warrant for his arrest.
- The said Application, which the court ruled upon, was filed as far back as 1st of April,2019, and not four years after the incident, as the court erroneously held.
- These clarifications are compelling in view of the fact that almost all the Social Media platforms and leading television stations acted on the wrong information mischievously dished out by persons who ought to know better and who are supposed to be concerned about Onyendu’s immediate release from DSS ‘s gulag.
We therefore hereby encourage UmuChineke never to despair about such false reports. Your kind understanding, full cooperation and constant prayers are needed at this critical time more than ever before.
Onyendu’s total freedom is sacrosanct, and it is not negotiable. He will fully regain his freedom. We cannot afford to renege on our total resolve and commitment to ensure that Onyendu is unconditionally released as quickly as possible.
We are therefore soliciting for your kind understanding, as this is not a period to apportion blames or wallow in recriminations. A lot more is going on than meets the eyes, but we shall win this battle in court, with God being on our side.
Forward ever and backward never until victory is assured. It is a case of aluta continua, victoria acerta.However, you all need to assist us, by always keeping your eyes focused on the ball, and remaining law abiding, as you have always been.”
