Lead counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has hinted that the legal team of the detained leader of the organisation, Nnamdi Kanu, is now fully ready for full-blown defence in the terrorism charges brought against him (Kanu) by the Federal Government.
Ejiofor said that all “t’s” have been crossed while all “i’s” have been dotted to make the October 11 resumption of trial proceed unhindered.
He said these in a statement obtained on Friday after a Federal High Court ordered a routine visit to Kanu in the custody of the Department of the State Service.
According to him, his client was in a high spirit to establish his innocence in the charges.
“We are doing all that is legally permissible to ensure that the October 11 outing will be recorded as a fruitful one,” Ejiofor stated.
Despite solitary confinement, Ejiofor said Kanu remained very strong in his conviction, adding that he had defied every strategy adopted by the state to break him.
“He is resolute and uncompromisingly firm. Self-determination is a right recognised under our laws and other international laws and instruments,” he said.
Ejiofor said Kanu was greatly excited on being told of the release of Mama Biafra from the DSS custody after over three months in detention.
“He could not hold his excitement on hearing the long awaited news. He thanked me in particular, and my legal team for our outstanding professionalism that has always guided our strategy towards rescuing Umuchineke detained in various facilities of the Nigerian Security Agencies,” he said.
The statement read in part, “The court-ordered routine visit to our indefatigable client, Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, was conducted at the DSS Headquarters, Abuja, where Onyendu is still being held in solitary confinement.
“The visit was still conducted in strict adherence to the new DSS protocol, introduced to distort the status quo.
“Onyendu was comprehensively briefed on the holistic legal approach being adopted to secure his unconditional release. All ‘t’s have been crossed and ‘i’s’ dotted, thereby setting the stage ripe for the main business of the 11th day of October, 2022, to proceed unhindered.
“We are doing all that is legally permissible to ensure that the outing will be recorded as a fruitful one.
“Onyendu is profoundly enthused by the line of actions as itemised towards achieving the desired and best result, which he classified as top notch.
“We wish to reiterate that confining Onyendu in a solitary space is, no doubt, a grave infraction of his rights, and an established act of torture clearly spelt out under our laws, and which violation is no doubt aimed at breaking his spirit.
“Nonetheless, Onyendu remains very strong in his conviction as he has defied every strategy adopted by the state to break him. He is resolute and uncompromisingly firm. Self-determination is a right recognised under our laws and other international laws and instruments.
“Onyendu was particularly enthused after he was fully briefed on the news of the release of Mama Biafra. He could not hold his excitement on hearing the long awaited news.
“He thanked me in particular, and my legal team for our outstanding professionalism that has always guided our strategy towards rescuing UmuChineke detained in various facilities of the Nigerian Security Agencies.
“Our new methodology, which will always remain discreet, is a compelling one and result-oriented, and Onyendu encouraged us to keep up the good work.
“Now that Mama Biafra has been released pursuant to an application for the enforcement of her fundamental rights I had earlier filed on her behalf, we shall continue with the suit to ensure that she is adequately compensated for the period of time she was unlawfully detained in solitary confinement.
“We wish to assure Umuchineke that we are not leaving any stone unturned towards ensuring that all those still languishing in custody are released.
“Idara Gold and others are in our top priority, as our team are aggressively pursuing their release. Please be assured that it shall all end in Praise, UmuChineke.
“Onyendu extended his sincere regards and love to you all, UmuChineke, while soliciting for your continued unrelenting prayers and support,” the statement said.
