In a defiant display of unwavering resolve, Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, has communicated his resolute stance to the Federal Government. Kanu, who was recently cleared of charges by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja, conveyed his message through a letter dated August 25, 2023, and signed by his lead counsel, Mike Ozekhome, SAN. The letter, shared with the public on August 28, 2023, encapsulates Kanu’s unyielding determination.
A primary concern raised by Ozekhome was the deplorable state of Kanu’s detention facility under the custody of the Department of State Services. In response, the lawyer requested the intervention of the Chief Judge of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory to appoint a Magistrate for the inspection of the detention center, shedding light on the conditions in which Kanu was being held.
In the letter, Kanu made it clear that he would not resort to pleading for his freedom. He deemed such an act an insult to the memory of the late Pa Mbazulike Amechi. Despite his advanced age and fragile health, Pa Mbazulike Amechi had repeatedly journeyed from the South-East to Abuja, imploring the Federal Government to fulfill his final wish, only to be met with disregard and dismissal.
The discussions held between Nnamdi Kanu and his legal team, as well as his family, highlighted the intricacies of his case. Kanu, who had been declared effectively discharged by the Court of Appeal in a judgment dated October 13, 2022, emphasized that there were no pending charges against him as of the present time.
Furthermore, Kanu stressed that the Supreme Court should expedite the hearing of the appeal filed by the Federal Government, as outlined in the Criminal Appeals Practice Directions. This call for swift legal proceedings was in response to his ongoing illegal detention.
The legal team, led by Prof. Mike Ozekhome, SAN, has been proactive in addressing various concerns related to Kanu’s well-being. They have taken actions such as requesting a magistrate to inspect the detention facility in line with legal provisions. The team also initiated contempt proceedings against the State Security Service and its Director General for failing to provide Kanu with his medical records, as ordered by Justice Binta Nyako.
In the face of adversity, Nnamdi Kanu’s unyielding spirit shines through. His resolute stand against pleading for his freedom and his unwavering commitment to justice and principle mark him as a figure of enduring courage.
