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Terrorism charges: We're ready to defend Kanu on October 11 - Legal team

Nnamdi Kanu in court (TheNEWS)
Nnamdi Kanu in court (TheNEWS)
The lead counsel said his team are ready to open defence in the terrorism charges against the IPOB leader.
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Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor, the lead counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has declared his team's readiness for full-blown defence of the detained leader of the group, Nnamdi Kanu, in the terrorism charges slammed against him by the Federal Government.

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As reported by The Punch, Ejiofor noted 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 disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday, September 2, 2022, after visiting Kanu in the custody of the Department of the State Service as ordered by a Federal High Court.

Ejiofor said the IPOB leader is in high spirit to prove 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,” said Kanu's lead counsel.

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He noted that Kanu's conviction remained unshaken despite being held in a solitary confinement, 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 revealed Kanu's excitement after being informed of the release of Mama Biafra from the DSS custody after over three months in detention.

The statement partly read: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 Umu Chineke detained in various facilities of the Nigerian Security Agencies.

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.

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“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.

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“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 Umu Chineke 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 Umu Chineke 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, Umu Chineke.

“Onyendu extended his sincere regards and love to you all, Umu Chineke, while soliciting for your continued unrelenting prayers and support.”

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