Mazi Kanu’s lawyer, Mike Ozekhome (SAN), has written the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari(retd.), asking for the urgent release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra.
In the 44-page letter directed to Buhari, and obtained by The PUNCH, Ozekhome stressed the consequences of not releasing Kanu after so many calls for his release by the public, including the United Nations Working Group.
The lawyer stated that Kanu could be released “through a more political solution,” which he said the President could do by instructing the Attorney-General of the Federation to wield his power under section 174 of the Nigerian Constitution (1999) as amended.
According to the lawyer, releasing Kanu would immediately halt the “restlessness and sit-at-home mantra currently ravaging the South-East and paralysing businesses and normal life.”
Ozekhome, who alleged that Kanu was being subjected to inhumane and degrading conditions, noted that the “continued detention of Kanu violates all known laws both international and domestic.”
The lawyer reminded Buhari of the UN working group’s report which the UN adopted at its 93rd session, and which he said indicted the Nigerian and Kenyan government over the extradition and detention of Kanu. He accused the State Security Service of being a judge in its own case; Lord and master to itself by conspiring with the Kenyan government to forcefully rendition Kanu back to Nigeria.
Ozekhome said not releasing Kanu would “mean that Buhari does not subscribe to the rule of law and respect for citizens’ fundamental human rights.”
Adding that Kanu’s alleged deteriorating health in detention was not being properly managed by the SSS, the lawyer asked Buhari “not to let Kanu die in detention.”
The letter was acknowledged by the Federal Ministry of Justice on Tuesday.
Kanu is being tried at a Federal High Court in Abuja for charges bordering on treasonable felony.
Contact: theeditor[at]punchng.com
