Nnamdi Kanu Goes International, Writes UK Over FG's Absence At ECOWAS Court

The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra Nnamdi Kanu has again moved against the federal government of Nigeria over his detention at the Kuje prison facility in Abuja.

In a recent letter to the British High Commissioner, Kanu accused the federal government of making deliberate attempt to stall proceedings of his application before the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court of Justice.

Kanu had approached the regional court for an order mandating his immediate release from detention. However, in the letter signed by the applicant’s lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, Kanu said the Nigerian government has continued to arbitrarily violate his fundamental human rights enshrined in the 1999 Constitution as amended.

He said: “In keeping up with promises made in our previous communications, we find it obligatory to keep the British government abreast of the happenings in the instant case, currently pending before the ECOWAS Court of Justice.”

Kanu said pleadings between the parties to the suit with suit number ECW/CCJ/APP06/16, have been exchanged and concluded since May 2016.

“Hearing notices were thereafter issued and served on all parties on the 1st day of June, 2016. A copy of the said hearing notice is herein attached for your ease of reference,” Kanu said.

He further said the case was scheduled for hearing today, October 5, but the federal government at 9.55 am served his legal team with an application from the attorney general of the federation and the minister of Justice Abubakar Malami seeking an adjournment.

“The said application was premised on the fact that the lead counsel Dayo Apata Esq. was appearing in another matter in Kaduna,” he said.

Kanu accused the federal government and the Department of State Services – which he said had four months and four days to prepare for hearing of absconding proceedings – hearing of a preliminary objection by the FG – at the regional court.

Kanu also raised the point that FG’s legal representative, Dayo Apata appeared before the same court just yesterday, October 4, at the judgment in favour of the former national security adviser Sambo Dasuki.

“This is therefore an obvious and continued attempt by the Nigerian government to stall the various legal proceedings involving our client, in a calculated effort to ensure that they continue to detain him arbitrarily.

“In the light of the foregoing, we respectfully invite the British government to demonstrate more responsive concern in restoring the freedom and dignity of our client, whose fundamental rights have been grossly violated by the Nigerian government,” the letter said.

He also promised the keep the British government informed of every development in the matter as it progresses.


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