In a dramatic turn of events, Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has taken legal action against the Nigerian government, filing an appeal at the Appeal Court against the ruling of Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja.Kanu, through his legal team led by Lead Counsel Aloy Ejimakor, vehemently rejected Justice Nyako’s ruling on the criminal charges brought against him by the Nigerian government. The appeal, filed in response to the March 19 ruling, asserts that Kanu’s constitutional rights to fair trial were egregiously denied.According to the notice of appeal court document obtained by SaharaReporters, Kanu’s legal team contends that the lower court erred in assuming jurisdiction to proceed with the criminal trial despite Kanu being blatantly denied adequate facilities to prepare his defense and his right to counsel of his own choice. The document highlights the grave miscarriage of justice resulting from these infringements on Kanu’s constitutional rights.Furthermore, the appeal accuses the Department of State Services (DSS) of failing to provide the necessary facilities for Kanu to prepare his defense, thereby obstructing the course of justice.
Allegations include the forcible seizure and photocopying of confidential legal documents, eavesdropping on confidential conversations between Kanu and his legal team, and denying Kanu’s lawyers the right to transmit messages and information to him.The appeal also challenges Justice Nyako’s order for accelerated hearing of the case, arguing that such an order is untenable in the face of the constitutional breaches of fair trial rights. Kanu asserts that the accelerated hearing directive condones the unconstitutional denial of his rights and allows the government to proceed with its violations unchecked.In light of these egregious violations, Kanu’s legal team has called upon the appellate court to intervene and ensure that justice prevails. The appeal seeks to rectify the injustices perpetrated against Kanu and uphold the sanctity of constitutional rights in the Nigerian legal system.As the legal battle intensifies, all eyes are on the appellate court as it deliberates on the appeal and weighs the merits of Kanu’s case. The outcome of this appeal could have far-reaching implications for the future of justice and human rights in Nigeria.
