Nnamdi Kanu dares Tinubu, declares he’ll never plead for freedom

In a resolute stance against his captors, Nnamdi Kanu, the incarcerated leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has boldly declared that he will not grovel for his release.

The fervent proponent of Biafran independence has communicated this unwavering sentiment to the Federal Government following his exoneration by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

In a compelling letter dated August 25, 2023, and penned by Kanu’s lead advocate, the eminent legal mind Mike Ozekhome, SAN, the message reverberates with Kanu’s unyielding determination. The letter, unveiled late on August 28, 2023, serves as a striking testament to Kanu‘s unwavering resolve.

The deplorable conditions of Kanu’s confinement within the custody of the Department of State Services have stirred palpable concern, resonating beyond prison walls. Expressing these concerns, Mike Ozekhome, SAN, has called upon the Chief Judge of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory to designate a Magistrate to investigate the detention center’s conditions.

Kanu’s steadfast refusal to implore for his freedom carries a profound undertone. For him, the notion of beseeching for release would be a disservice to the memory of the late Pa Mbazulike Amechi. Kanu contrasts his own situation with the ardent appeals made by Amechi, who despite advanced age and frail health, traversed the South-East to the heart of Abuja. Amechi’s heartfelt pleas to the Federal Government, delivered on his deathbed, were met with callous indifference – an affront Kanu is unwilling to echo.

This poignant declaration transpired during a meeting between Kanu, his legal representatives, and his family. Ifeanyi Ejiofor, Kanu’s counsel, elucidated the details of this significant encounter. The statement titled “Update on our routine visit to our indefatigable client” underscored Kanu’s gratitude to all those championing his cause. Ejiofor also accentuated the pivotal court ruling of October 13, 2022, where the Court of Appeal not only discharged Kanu but also prohibited his continued trial and detention.

With a steely conviction that matches the iron will of his predecessors, Kanu urges a different pursuit. He calls upon the collective voice of goodwill to rally for justice through the corridors of the Supreme Court. Kanu’s unwavering stance is now a clarion call, echoing through the legal avenues as his legal team, led by Prof. Mike Ozekhome, SAN, navigates the complexities of the case.

The visit on August 28, 2023, assumed profound significance. It encapsulated a strategic briefing where Kanu was informed of the legal team’s initiatives to safeguard his rights and well-being. An application to appoint a Magistrate to inspect his detention facility under the purview of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, is a pivotal step toward shedding light on the conditions of Kanu’s confinement.

The refusal of the Department of State Services to provide Kanu with his medical records, in direct defiance of a court order, has precipitated an escalation. Prof. Mike Ozekhome, SAN, propelled by this affront to justice, has initiated contempt proceedings against the State Security Service and its Director General, demanding accountability for this blatant violation.