“UPHOLDING THE RULE OF LAW IS MORE IMPORTANT TO ME THAN ANYTHING ELSE” – Nnamdi Kanu
During my visit with Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu yesterday, he made it abundantly clear that, while he is deeply grateful for the efforts and widespread calls made by well-meaning individuals and groups to secure his release, he has directed his legal team to issue the following clarifications:
1) The release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is neither an act of pity, pardon, presidential clemency, or even amnesty. Instead, it should be an act of simply complying with the current Federal High Court judgment declaring his incarceration unconstitutional, or even the existing international tribunal verdicts declaring his detention illegal.
Alternatively, the decision to release him from detention and end his infamous prosecution can be taken simply by invoking constitutional provisions that authorize the Attorney-General of the Federation (on the President’s instructions) to terminate any prosecution.
2) Onyendu. Mazi Nnamdi Kanu insists that no one should plead or beg on his behalf because he has committed no crime. Self-determination, the fundamental issue that has been distorted into a high crime, is an intrinsic right guaranteed by the laws of Nigeria, the United Nations, the United Kingdom, and Kenya.
Thus, misdirected requests for forgiveness, clemency, or mercy should not unintentionally support the absurd and unconstitutional criminalization of his exercise of this right. Thus, releasing Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is not an act of kindness or pardon, but of adhering to the rule of law.
3, While those calling for his release are sincere, their calls for pardon or clemency may be misinterpreted as giving the executive branch or even the courts permission to continue subjecting Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to a prosecution or trial that violates the tenets of the Constitution and Nigeria’s treaty obligations.
4, Rather than begging, those seeking Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s release should emulate the language and tact used by Afenifere, Ohaneze, World Igbo Congress (WIC), ranking members of the National Assembly, American Military Veterans of Igbo Descent (AVID), Ambassadors for Self Determination (based in America), the international community, and a slew of others who have stated unequivocally that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu deserves to be released because he has committed no known legal offense. To be honest, it is Nigeria’s executive branch that should apologise for using extraordinary rendition, which is a State crime under international and common law.
If any asking is required, it should be addressed to the courts to conduct his and IPOB’s cases with complete fairness and conformity to the rule of law, equity, and good conscience.
5. Most significantly, Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu expresses his heartfelt gratitude to everyone who is working tirelessly to restore peace, tranquillity, and order in his beloved Igboland.
