From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
The family of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has said their son is not in any way afraid of standing trial in any court in Nigeria. The family’s position was made known by Kanu’s brother, Emmanuel, who spoke to Sunday Sun shortly after the IPOB leader’s case was reassigned to Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
Describing the reassignment of the case to another judge as a welcome development, Emmanuel said his brother was not afraid of standing trial in the first place, but his only concern was for the rule of law to be followed. “Nnamdi Kanu is not afraid going into trial, his concern is to make sure the law is implemented to the latter,” he stated.
“Therefore, we expect the new judge, Justice Omotosho to also follow due process of the law because the whole world is watching, humanity is watching, all eyes are now on Nigeria,” Emmanuel added.
Giving an account of what had transpired in the case, Emmanuel said, “Remember before now, Justice Binta Nyako who was assigned to this case is a Fulani woman. In 2017, the woman (Nyako) made it clear that IPOB is not an unlawful society. Now, when Nnamdi Kanu fought the Fulani terrorists in Biafra land, they went after him to kill him. When they could not succeed, they renditioned him back to Nigeria and appointed another Judge from Fulani who declared IPOB as a terrorist group.
“This order was hurriedly brought through experte order and IPOB had no chance whatsoever, no opportunity was given for IPOB to defend herself. It was a kangaroo court arraignment that pronounced IPOB a terrorist group, carried out by a Fulani Judge, Kafarati and I hope the new judge will obey the country’s role of law and at the end, peace will reign, positive peace, not negative.
“It only in the North that IPOB is recognized as a terrorist group, not in Middle Belt, not in Yoruba land, not in Igbo land.”
He said the family wishes to thank Nigerians and the Chief Justice of the Federation for upholding the rule of law. Emmanuel added that the family was also thankful to those who fought earnestly to ensure that the recusal order was obeyed.