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Nnamdi Kanu’s trial turning to persecution – Lawyer Ejimakor
Aloy Ejimakor, the Lead Counsel to Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, on Friday said the trial of the Biafra agitator is turning from prosecution to persecution.
Ejimakor made the claim while narrating Kanu’s travails since his first arrest in 2015.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja, Ejimakor stressed that Kanu was arrested and detained for nothing
He said the IPOB leader should not have been arrested and detained, adding that he never deserved the travails he’s going through.
Ejimakor said: “The public should be aware of how this case is turning from prosecution to persecution.
“After he was brought into the country from Kenya, the Federal Government, instead of pivoting on the charges for which Kanu was unlawfully and forcibly brought into the country, abandon those charges, but for one that bothered on false declaration of imported radio equipment. That’s a very unserious charge.
“The more serious ones bordering on treasonable offences where completely abandoned for new 15 charges bordering on terrorism.
“For seven years – 2015 to 2022 when these charges were finally amended to 15 which I call prerendition charges were completely abandoned.
“Nnamdi Kanu suffered at the hands of criminal justice system in Nigeria for seven years for charges that were abandoned. So, for the 18 months he was detained and subsequent arrest in 2015, he was detained for nothing.
“He didn’t deserve the detention, he also didn’t deserve any tribulations and travails he had to go through including the Python dance that almost claimed his life, his parents and lots of innocent people, his exile abroad and rendition.
“So why was he renditioned for charges that were later abandoned? That’s a question that the answer will come one day.”
Ejimakor also disclosed that when the matter began in 2015 and escalated through September 2017 with Python Dance, “Kanu through myself, brought an application before the African Commission on Human and People’s right complaining about the Python dance proscription of IPOB and we won.
“The African Commission wrote a letter to the then President calling for the implementation of certain things they asked him to do.”
He added, “In a swift decision concerning the extraordinary rendition, the United Nations (through its Special Rapporteurs) on 26th August 2021, transmitted a Communication/Decision (No: UA NGA 5/2021) to the Government of Nigeria, conveying its official position that the manner of bringing Nnamdi Kanu from Kenya to Nigeria was illegal and a grave violation of international human rights laws. The United Nations stated further as follows:
“In this connection, we would like to bring to the attention of your Excellency’s Government information we have received concerning allegations of enforced disappearance, arbitrary detention, torture and ill-treatment of Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, by Kenyan Security officials, as well as his illegal rendition to Nigeria, to face trial for terrorism related charges, which are believed to be linked to his leadership of the “Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)” group.
“Since his rendition to Nigeria, Mr. Kanu has been allegedly detained by the Department of State Services (DSS), and denied family visits, confidential access to a lawyer, and necessary medical treatment for his underlying health condition.
“While we do not wish to prejudge the accuracy of these allegations, we would like express our concern in relation to the enforced disappearance of Mr. Kanu from 19 June 2021, until his reappearance at Nigerian Federal High Court in Abuja on 29 June 2021, and his reported illegal rendition from Nairobi to Abuja without judicial process. We are further alarmed by the alleged torture and and ill-treatment Mr. Kanu has been subjected during his detention by the DSS in Nigeria. If confirmed.
“The allegations in the case of Mr. Kanu raise serious violations of international human rights law and may cause irreparable damage to his life or personal integrity, which we believe warrants prompt attention.
“In this regard, we are considering to publicly express our concerns in this case in the near future, believing that the wider public should be informed about the implications of these allegations for the enjoyment and exercise of human rights in Kenya and Nigeria.
“Any public expression of concern in this regard, will indicate that we have been in contact with your Excellency’s Government to clarify the issue/s in question.”
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, has unveiled a document for Women in Mining in Nigeria (WIMIN) strategy document.
Speaking at the event, he described the strategy as a significant mile stone in the sector.
He said that the move was a demonstration of the commitment of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development (MSMD)` and Ministry of Steel Development in fostering diversity.
He said that the strategy is aimed at promoting gender equality and women`s empowerment, adding that its focused on driving productivity for the nations` sustainable development.
“It also focuses on improving the opportunities for women to benefit from both sectors sustainably in policy, regulatory, operational, and commercial (large scale, medium scale, small scale, and artisanal levels), and value and supply chain roles.
“This strategy is not just a document but a call to action and a blueprint for all stakeholders to create a more inclusive and gender-balanced mining and steel sector.
“It provides a guideline and framework to guide both ministries, their agencies, and stakeholders to integrate gender equality and women’s empowerment priorities in their policies, programmes, and initiatives, “ he said.
He acknowledged the indispensable contributions of women to the success and sustainability of the mining sector, saying that their talents, expertise, and perspectives are critical to the success and growth of the industry.
According to him, Nigeria is not immune from the biases perpetuated against women in these two sectors.
In addressing the situation, he said that the Federal Government has prioritised gender equity and female participation in its “Roadmap for the Growth and Development of the Nigerian Mining Industry.
He said as part of the efforts of MSMD and Ministry of Steel Development to implement the roadmap, the Mineral Sector Support for Economic Diversification (MinDiver) engaged a consultancy to develop the gender strategy.
He said that to achieve the objectives of the strategy, its institutional capacity would be strengthened for effective gender mainstreaming.
He added that that women’s participation in leadership and governance roles within the mining sector and communities would be increased.
“Promoting women’s economic empowerment and rights and eliminating all barriers (structural and systemic) that hinder women’s meaningful participation, access and control over mining resources and benefits, “ he said.
The minister added that they were committed to building partnerships across a wide range of stakeholders in achieving the vision of the strategy.
He said that the WIMIN strategy was firmly rooted in the principles of equality, diversity, and empowerment, and a call to action for stakeholders mobilisation toward a more inclusive and gender-balanced industry.
Earlier in her remarks, the National President of WIMIN, Dr Janet Adeyemi, described the launch of the strategy as an opportunity to galvanise support and implement actions to address the entrenched gender disparities within the mining and steel sectors.
Represented by the National Secretary, Mrs Emily Ofodile, she said that women within these industries continue to encounter multifaceted barriers that hinder their full participation and advancement.
On her part, the Permanent Secretary of MSMD, Dr Mary Ogbe, urged, women to be change agents at all levels, and urged all organisations to have gender focal persons to help in coordinating all related matters.
The Lagos Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, will host a Justice Reform Summit with the theme: “Enhancing The Administration of Justice For Economic Growth, Investment Protection And Security in Lagos State,” on May 27 and 28.
This is contained in a statement issued by Mrs Titilayo ShittaBey-Jeje, Solicitor, General/Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Justice, on Wednesday.
ShittaBey -Jeje said that Sanwo-Olu would be the Chief Host at the summit which would take place at Marriott Hotel, GRA Ikeja, Lagos.
She said the Chief Justice of Federation, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola would be the Chairman, while the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister for Justice Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), would be the special guest of honour.
ShittaBey-Jeje said the Lagos State Government had became a pathfinder for justice reform following its various landmark and innovative achievements over the years.
She, however, noted that being the economic nerve centre of the country, there were real and new challenges to address.
ShittaBey-Jeje said the summit would explore diverse perspective towards effective and efficient administration of justice for economic growth and investment protection in the state and Nigeria at large.
She said the ministry had created an avenue for stakeholders and members of the public to express their views, observations and recommendations for the reform in order to gather insights from a wide spectrum of Nigerians.
“Therefore, the stakeholders and members of the public can send their contributions to [email protected], whatsapp no: 07032276146, facebook – @Lagosmoj, twitter- @Lagosmoj and instagram-@Lagosmoj,” she said.
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