President Tinubu faces mounting pressure to release IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, with a group arguing it will foster national reconciliation and ease tensions.”
Calls have been made for President Bola Tinubu to put an immediate stop to “the unjust and politically motivated trial” of Nnamdi Kanu, the arrested leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who were once outlawed.
Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), a civil rights advocacy group, made the request in a statement on Thursday that was signed by Emmanuel Onwubiko, the group’s national coordinator. HURIWA claimed that Kanu’s extended detention and ongoing legal proceedings are blatant abuses of the legal system and violations of his fundamental human rights.
HURIWA stressed that despite the government’s lack of hard proof connecting him to any crimes, he is nevertheless being held inhumanely in detention.
According to the group, Mazi Kanu’s health frequently deteriorates while he is being held in jail, and getting his doctors to agree to treat him needs waging fierce legal fights with the SSS.
“In the twenty-first century, why is Mazi Nnamdi Kanu being treated this way? HURIWA stated, “It is very unfortunate that a democratically elected government that purports to uphold fundamental freedoms and good governance under the 1999 Constitution still violates the rights of a man who has never committed a crime.”
Although there is no proof that Kanu has called for the killing of anyone or incited violence, HURIWA denounced the way he was unlawfully taken from Kenya and compared his treatment to that of a common criminal.
According to the group, Kanu’s actions, which involved voicing his ideas from London, constituted a lawful exercise of his fundamental human rights.
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HURIWA emphasized, “The government has no case against him.” “They are treating him like a judicial test subject, hauling him around from one court to another. He hasn’t done anything wrong, therefore it’s about time the government either releases him without conditions or places fair restrictions on him.
HURIWA expressed happiness at Justice Binta Nyako’s recent decision to recuse herself from Kanu’s trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja, calling the action brave and constitutional.
According to the group, Kanu’s actions, which involved voicing his ideas from London, constituted a lawful exercise of his fundamental human rights.
HURIWA emphasized, “The government has no case against him.” “They are treating him like a judicial test subject, hauling him around from one court to another. He hasn’t done anything wrong, therefore it’s about time the government either releases him without conditions or places fair restrictions on him.
HURIWA expressed happiness at Justice Binta Nyako’s recent decision to recuse herself from Kanu’s trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja, calling the action brave and constitutional.
Following oral requests for her withdrawal made by Mazi Kanu and his attorney, Aloy Ejimakor, at a court hearing, the judge reached her judgment. Mazi Kanu had lost faith in the court’s ability to provide a fair trial, Justice Nyako said.
HURIWA requested the Attorney General of the Federation to drop the lawsuit against Kanu and applauded Justice Nyako’s actions.
HURIWA declared, “There should be a ‘nolle prosequi’ on this case,” contending that Mazi Kanu’s incarceration is unjustified and that the government should drop its prosecution of him.
HURIWA went on to draw parallels between Mazi Kanu’s predicament and that of Bello Bodejo, the President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, who was just freed from prison after the Federal Government dropped its allegations of terrorism against him. Bodejo was detained and given charges.
Mazi Kanu’s predicament was further contrasted by HURIWA with that of Bello Bodejo, the President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, who was just freed from prison after the Federal Government dropped its allegations of terrorism against him. Bodejo was detained and accused of founding an ethnic militia and taking part in actions that endangered national security. Despite the grave accusations, Bodejo was promptly set free after the charges were dismissed.
“Some members of Bodejo’s association have been connected to violence in states like Benue and Plateau. Bodejo made numerous inflammatory statements that fueled crises across Nigeria.” However, he was freed and the accusations against him were dropped shortly after. HURIWA noted that this is a far cry from Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s experience.
Following oral requests for her withdrawal made by Mazi Kanu and his attorney, Aloy Ejimakor, at a court hearing, the judge reached her judgment. Mazi Kanu had lost faith in the court’s ability to provide a fair trial, Justice Nyako said.
HURIWA requested the Attorney General of the Federation to drop the lawsuit against Kanu and applauded Justice Nyako’s actions.
HURIWA declared, “There should be a ‘nolle prosequi’ on this case,” contending that Mazi Kanu’s incarceration is unjustified and that the government should drop its prosecution of him.
In addition, HURIWA contrasted Mazi Kanu’s predicament with that of Bello Bodejo, the President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, who was just freed from prison after the Federal Government dropped its allegations of terrorism against him. Charges against Bodejo included organizing an ethnic militia and participating in actions that jeopardized national security. He was taken into custody. Though grave accusations were made, Bodejo was swiftly released when the charges were withdrawn.
“Several members of Bodejo’s association have been connected to violence in states like Benue and Plateau. Bodejo made a number of provocative remarks that stoked crises throughout Nigeria.” He was freed and the accusations against him were dropped, though, shortly after that. The experience of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is starkly different from this, HURIWA noted.
HURIWA questioned why Bodejo and Kanu, who have freely acknowledged their involvement in contentious activities, are let to live in freedom while Kanu is still detained. “Is his ethnicity the reason for it?” HURIWA enquired while denouncing the unfair treatment.
HURIWA pleaded with President Tinubu to respect Mazi Kanu’s constitutionally guaranteed rights and put an end to the legal circus surrounding his trial. Nigeria’s democratic values are tarnished by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s ongoing persecution. The gang insisted that he be freed right away.
