– The lead lawyer in the trial of Nnamdi Kanu has accused the federal government of ‘constantly’ making efforts to stall his client’s trial
– Ifeanyi Ejiofor said various incidents has shown that Kanu is on a political trial
– The lawyer denied claims that the IPOB leader flouted his bail conditions
The lawyer to the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu has said that his client is on a political trial.
Ifeanyi Ejiofor accused the federal government of doing the bid of the Coalition of Northern Group in the ongoing trial of Kanu.
He also denied claims that the IPOB leader flouted his bail conditions.
Ejiofor said: “Well let me correct this impression, if you have access to the conditions given to him (Kanu) by the court; we have primary conditions which have been satisfied. One for the bail to be signed by his state senator, landed property by a first class citizen, then provide religious leader, which was done.”
“The others that have to do with not seen in the midst of people exceeding 10 and part of the secondary bail conditions.
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In law, we have the powers and right to approach the same court that gave those conditions to vary them and that has been done, because if you look at these conditions, some of them, they are clearly contrary, in clear violation of his fundamental rights.”
The lawyer denied claims that the IPOB leader flouted his bail conditions
Ejiofor said his client while in Kuje Prison had no option but to accept those bail condition.
“We are now under the duty to approach the court to vary them,” Ejiofor said.
He added: “Because these conditions you’re making reference to are totally impracticable, what is important at this level is to note that the essence of bail is to guarantee the attendance of the persons being tried to come to court and face his trial.
Legality of the subject is paramount, these are well encapsulated under chapter 4 of the constitution. These are what the court has to taken into account,” he said.
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He said the most important which should be answered are: “Is Nnamdi Kanu disposed to face his trial? The answer is yes.” he said.
“Is the federal government disposed to open their case? The answer is, No.” he answered.
The lawyer accused the federal government of constantly making effort to ensure that Kanu does not face his trial.
He said it took the court two years to grant his client bail.
He added that the federal government since Kanu’s arrest is yet to field a witness for his trial.
“At the last adjourned date, the court made a specific order that the matter will come up for hearing on July 11 and 12; and directed further that it is not ready to listen to any interlocutory application from any party. Before then, we filed an application to get the bail varied.
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Three weeks before the date the matter was set for hearing, the federal government served me an application amending the charge wherein they brought in another party to be joined,” he said.
The lawyer said the implication of such action by the federal government is that hearing on the matter would not have gone on the expected date.
“Because they would have taken a fresh plea to the entire charge,” he noted.
Further speaking on the application filed by the federal government the revoke the bail given to the IPOB leader, Ejiofor said the Nigerian government of doing the bid of the Coalition of Northern Groups.
He said: “The Arewa Consultative Forum in coalition with other youth forum from the Northern states held their press conference on August 24, in the watchful presence of some sitting governors and some highly political officers.”
He said the coalition gave their conditions for suspending the three-month quit notice given to the Igbos in the north which included that Nnamdi Kanu must be arrested by the federal government.
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He alleged that it only took the federal government one night to comply with the terms of the Northern coalition by filing an application to revoke Kanu’s bail.
“And before that application was filed they made it public by giving it to the press,” he added.
Ejiofor said making the application filed by the attorney general public aimed at satisfying the condition given by the Northern coalition.
He said: “This further strengthens our position is on a political trial.”
ZENITHBLOG.com earlier reported that the lawyer to the leader of the IPOB on Wednesday, September 27, filed an application against the chief of army staff, Tukur Buratai.
Ejiofor in the application prayed the court to make an order mandating the chief of army staff to produce Nnamdi Kanu on the next adjourned date.
The lawyer made the prayer on the ground that the military could have either killed Kanu or taken him away since the last invasion by soldiers in his client’s residence.
You can watch this ZENITHBLOG.com exclusive video of Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer speaking on his client’s bail conditions:
Source: Zenithblog.com
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