NBA chiefs condemn IPOB leader’s bail denial

The denial of bail to the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu has aroused condemnation from two chairmen of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, in Onitsha, Anambra state.

According to reports, Ben Okoko, chairman of Idemili branch of NBA and Chris Adimora, chairman of Anaocha branch of NBA have spoken against the bail denial saying Kanu has not committed any offence in the Nigerian law.

Speaking to newsmen in Onitsha, the Anaocha branch chairman, Adimora who said, “the reasons adduced by the prosecution for refusing Kanu bail is not tenable. He did not commit any offence by having dual citizenship. He can’t be refused bail because his charges are still mere allegation which are not yet proven.”

Continuing, he said, 'As far as I know, he continued, Kanu did not commit any offence. They were just fishing for evidence to keep him in jail until they came up with this trump up charge of treasonable felony.'

'That he opened a radio station in a British air wave is not an offence in Nigeria. That he called President names does not amount to treasonable felon but mere agitation. He is only expressing and speaking the minds of millions of marginalized Biafrans and that does not amount to treasonable felony as the court states.

'I hope they will be gentlemanly enough to produce evidence against him during the trial. The state is not sincere with its citizens or else why did they not bring up all his charges at the initial stage. This treasonable felony charge was brought up on a second thought, after they fail to prove the initial terrorism charge against him, which led to court granting him bail”.

'In summary, he further stated, I must state that the court denied him bail based on the same reason adduced by Buhari during his media chat that Kanu is a dual citizen and we were not surprised that the court eventually came up with the same issue as one of the reasons that led to his bail denial. They are just looking for a charge against him. They used coercive power of state to intimidate him,' Adimora said.