NEWS LEVERAGE

Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has stated that his release should be based on the rule of law and not mercy and, therefore, advised those pleading for his release to desist forthwith.

His intention was relayed through a statement shared on Saturday by his legal team led by Aloy Ejimakor and titled, ‘Upholding the rule of law is more important to me than anything else’. Kanu insisted that the right to self-determination is enshrined in the 1999 Constitution and so has not committed any Treason.

Kanu further cautioned that any calls for mercy could be misinterpreted, potentially allowing the Nigerian government or courts to continue a prosecution that does not align with constitutional principles or international legal standards. He urged those advocating for his release to follow the example of various groups, including Afenifere, Ohanaeze, the World Igbo Congress, and members of the international community, who have expressed support for his freedom based on the fact that he has committed no legal offense.

His statement titled “UPHOLDING THE RULE OF LAW IS MORE IMPORTANT TO ME THAN ANYTHING ELSE” – reads;

“During my visitation with Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu yesterday, he made it abundantly clear that while he is deeply appreciative of the efforts and the widespread calls being made by well-meaning individuals and groups to secure his release, he however instructed his legal team to issue the following clarifications:

“The matter of releasing Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is not an act of mercy, pardon, executive clemency or even amnesty. Instead, it should be an act of simply complying with the subsisting Federal High Court judgment that declared his detention as unconstitutional or even the extant international tribunal decisions that separately declared his detention as unlawful. Alternatively, the decision to free him from detention and discontinue his infamous prosecution can be made by simply resorting to the constitutional provisions that empower the Attorney-General of the Federation (on the directives of the President) to discontinue any prosecution.

“Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is adamant that nobody should plead or beg anybody on his behalf because he has committed no crime. Self-determination, which is the real issue that got twisted to suddenly become a high crime,, is an inalienable right guaranteed under the laws of Nigeria, the United Nations, the United Kingdom and Kenya. Thus, the perverse and unlawful criminalisation of his exercise of this right should not unwittingly be encouraged through some misguided appeals for pardon, clemency or mercy. Thus, releasing Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is not an act of mercy or pardon but an act of abiding by the rule of law.

“In as much as those calling for his release are sincere, their calls for pardon or clemency may be misconstrued as a green light to the executive branch or even the courts to violate the rule of law by continuing to subject Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to a prosecution or trial that does not comport with the tenets of the constitution and Nigeria’s treaty obligations.

“Instead of begging, those desiring his release should emulate the language and tact used by Afenifere, Ohanaeze, World Igbo Congress, 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 host of others who have made it clear that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu deserves to be released because he has committed no offence known to law.

“If truth be told, it is Nigeria’s executive branch which extraordinarily renditioned Mazi Nnamdi Kanu that should show contrition for resorting to extraordinary rendition which is a state crime under international law and and the common law.

If any begging must be done, it should be directed to the courts to conduct his cases and that of IPOB with the utmost impartiality and adherence to the rule of law, equity and good conscience.

“Most importantly, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu sincerely thanks everyone for working assiduously towards the restoration of security, tranquillity and good order in his beloved Igboland,” the statement concludes.