Uwazurike
By Publisher
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A chieftain of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Goddy Uwazurike, has made a case for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Independent People of Biafra, IPOB.
Uwazurike, who is the President of the Credibility Group of the Igbo group, said there is no justifiable reason to continue keeping Kanu in detention for over four years.
In a press statement he personally signed, the legal practitioner said: “The young Nnamdi Kanu belongs to the age group who knew nothing about Biafra, Biafra war and the antecedents. Nnamdi and his group belong to the generation who are derided as the ‘dot’ nation!
“Those who witnessed the Biafra war, know that war is an evil wind that blows no one any good!! Except, of course, the arms manufacturers and the contractors, and also the commission agents. So, this later group will do anything to avoid war.’
Uwazurike gave reasons Kanu and co started protesting because of evident marginalisation against the Igbo.
“The generation of Nnamdi Kanu, saw their Igbo parents being discriminated against by the Nigerian oligarchy. This generation took it upon itself, to restore the dignity of the Igbo person,” the Ohanaeze chieftain posited.
“This generation asked for a Referendum!! The weapon of this generation, was the shaking of fist and radio broadcast. The response of the Government, depended on the whims and caprices of the President of the day.
“Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, relied on peaceful persuasion. This lasted till May 29, 2015.
“President Buhari, like a carpenter whose solution to every issue is nail and hammer, descended on the Biafra agitators in December, 2015, and pounced on Mazi Nnamdi Kanu on his return from London. All Biafra agitators were treated like felons, even before horrendous charges were brought against Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and others.
“What was the Offence?
“That Mazi Nnamdi Kanu was running Radio Biafra! That he described Nigeria as a zoo!!
“It is now nine years since the arrest.
“Mazi Nnamdi Kanu was granted bail, but, he had to run for his dear life when heavily armed soldiers invaded his home. To bring back Mazi Nnamdi Kanu back to Nigeria to continue the ‘trial’, the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) kidnapped Kanu in Kenya and brought him back to Nigeria.
“The trial continued, and the FGN pledged to obey court order. But, when the Court of Appeal freed Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the FGN refused to obey.
“The Highly Respected Igbo Eminent Personalities made up of myself Chief Goddy Uwazurike, Bishop Onuoha, Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife and the 94-year-old, Chief Mbazulike Amechi (accompanied by his son) had a scheduled meeting with President Buhari at Aso Rock, a political decision to withdraw the charges, discontinue the Mazi Nnamdi Kanu trial and free the detainees.
“He requested time, to mentally go through the process. It must be stated that, the eloquent and concise Chief Amechi was impressive as our leader. Buhari promised to get back to us. He never did.
“His Justice Minister was adamant, that there was no political solution on the table. Buhari himself made a mockery of Ndigbo by describing us as a ‘dot’ !!”
Uwazuruike also recounted the disgraceful treatment meted to Kanu’s lawyers, including himself, during the trial
“Thereafter, the court battle to deal a blow on Nnamdi Kanu intensified. I was the Lawyer to Ohanaeze Ndigbo at the trial. There was undisguised hostility to me, to Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife and, indeed, to every Lawyer who came to defend Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. This attitude began at the gate where the defence Lawyers would be made to queue for a thorough search and screening. We would be in line, as the prosecutors from the Ministry of Justice would swagger in without any obstruction.
“The road leading to the court, would be cordoned off. Any person suspected to be a sympathiser of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, would be chased into the adjoining park. But, then, two or three long buses would bring in anti-Kanu demonstrators who, with their placards would be demanding for the death sentence for Kanu!!! The atmosphere was clearly a reminder of the military-era tribunals. The courtroom itself, was also unlike any court room I have ever seen. Did I expect a free and fair trial? Certainly not.
“Now, two members of the Eminent persons group – Chief Amechi and Dr Ezeife, have died without seeing a free Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
The last action of the late President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Dr Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, was to visit Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in the DSS Centre. On his way back to his car, trekking, he collapsed. No help came for him. He died some days later, in the hospital.
“The South East is still treated like a war zone. The insecurity by non-State actors, is beyond imagination,” he said, adding that much is expected of President Bola Tinubu on this matter.
“Since the man on the seat in Aso Rock is President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, all eyes are now on him. This is because the trial of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has become a political one! The Judiciary of Nigeria, is now in the dock before the eyes of the free world. The country called Nigeria is being discussed all over the world, and the arbitration clauses deliberately exclude Nigeria, even in the contracts in Nigeria.
“The solution is very simple and straight forward: Free Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and his co-Defendants.”
