The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) yesterday asked Southeast leaders to stop begging for the release of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
It believes pleading for his freedom makes it appear as if Kanu did something wrong.
The group urged the Federal Government to either withdraw the charges against Kanu by April 8 when the case will come up, or allow for his discharge.
Kanu is facing terrorism charges before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
He has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
In a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, IPOB described the charges against its leader as empty and laughable.
It urged Justice Nyako to be firm in upholding justice without fear and favour.
The statement reads in part: “We wish to raise concern over the continued detention of our great leader in DSS custody.
“Justice Binta Nyako must be firm in upholding justice without fear and favour…
“This position is based on the fact that the 15 counts amended charges upon which his case is predicated upon are empty and have no iota of substance whatsoever.
“The emptiness of these laughable charges has been well marshalled out/comprehensively discussed in the 46-page objection filed by Mazi Kanu’s erudite legal team.
“Most importantly is the fact that you cannot build something on nothing and expect it to stand.
“No trial can be entertained in any court in Nigeria in so far as the abduction of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in Kenya and his extraordinary rendition to Nigeria is still a grave violation of international law…
“Mazi Kanu has never committed any crime and this position is very obvious going by the frivolous 15 counts amended charges which have nothing attached to it as evidence.
“What is expected to happen on 8th of April 2022, is total acquittal and discharge of Mazi Kanu and nothing more.
“Leaders from the south should stop begging the Federal Government to do what will save the already battered image of the country.”
IPOB was of the view that Kanu was illegally brought back to Nigeria from Kenya.
It said: “No court can try or convict him in the face of this flagrant violation of Mazi Kanu’s human rights as well as the criminal violation of international humanitarian law and extant treaties forbidding extraordinary rendition. It is impossible and can’t happen.
“Begging the Federal Government may simply give the impression that he is guilty of an offence when he has committed none.
“The Federal Government should do the needful by either withdrawing the charges on or before 8th April 2022 or allow for his unfettered discharge and acquittal.”
Kanu was re-arraigned on January 19.
He pleaded not guilty to the 15-count terrorism charge filed against him by the Federal Government.
He filed a preliminary objection to the charge, praying the court to strike out or quash them.
On the same day, an Umuahia High Court in Abia State awarded N1billion damages to Kanu in a judgment on his fundamental rights suit.
Kanu was accused of making a broadcast “with intent to intimidate the population”, in which he “threatened that people will die, the whole world will standstill”.
He was also accused of issuing “a deadly threat” that anyone who flouted his sit-at-home order should write his/her Will, which resulted in a lockdown of the Southeast.
Kanu also professed himself to be a member and leader of IPOB, a proscribed organisation in Nigeria, contrary to and punishable under Section 16 of the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act, 2013.
He was said to have incited members of the public “to hunt and kill Nigerian security personnel and their families”.
The Federal Government said Kanu directed IPOB members “to manufacture bombs” and to “destroy public facilities”.
He also allegedly threatened the public not to come out on May 31, 2021, and directed them “to destroy public transport system in Lagos, resulting in major economic loss to the government”.
The prosecution said he “imported into Nigeria and kept in Ubullisiuzor in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State…a radio transmitter known as Tram SOL concealed in a container of used household items which you declared as used household items”.
The alleged offence, the prosecution said, is punishable under Section 1(2)(b) of the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act. 2013.
