The Federal Government has been warned by three lawyers, Chiefs Clifford Okoye, Maurice Efobi, and Sam Chukwukelu, about the repercussions of rejecting the latest UN demand to free Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the IPoB leader, from incarceration.
The UN has demanded that Kanu's release from detention be effected without conditions since, in the eyes of the international organisation, Kanu is just fighting for the independence of his Biafran people and as such, his actions do not yet justify such wrongful confinement.
The Federal Government has not yet complied with the UN's request, as evidenced by Kanu's continued detention in the custody of the Directorate of State Services (DSS), despite the fact that no definitive affirmative or negative statements to that effect have ever been made by the government.
But Okoye, Efobi and Chukwukelu, who spoke to newsmen on the development, said the Nigerian government should not dismiss the UN’s statement with ignominy the same way they disobey or disregard orders from Nigerian courts and go scot-free.
Specifically, Okoye who was a one-time Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Aguata branch in Anambra State, declared: “I want to thank the UN for lending its voice to Nigeria’s internal affairs as a member nation under it and Nigeria should be a country where freedom of speech and expression are observed.
“Kanu is entitled to bail because treason is not a capital offence that will attract death by hanging. I recall the attack in Kanu’s home in Afaraukwu Ibeku, Umuahia, Abia State, by the military.
“Although that UN declaration is only persuasive and not compulsive, being that global strong voice, has a method of enforcing their actions against any deviant nation under it”, Okoye stated.
According to Efobi who was also a former Chairman of NBA, Idemili branch, Nigeria subscribed to the league of nations and we are bound to follow any decision taken by the UN. Therefore, we have no other option than to obey the umbrella body.
”The court has ruled that Kanu did not jump bail because his house was invaded and he had to flee to save his life. The court has equally ruled that his fundamental rights were infringed upon. So, he should be released unconditionally or else the UN has several sanctions to impose on Nigeria “.
Chukwukelu, also a Chairman emeritus of the Idemili branch of NBA, said the court which refused to grant Kanu bail recently, should have considered the fact that if Kanu had not escaped alive when the military invaded his house, he would have probably been dead by now and if he had died, he wouldn’t have been alive today to face trial because it is only the living that can face trial and not a dead person.”