The legal team to the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu has written a memo to the United Nations General Assembly requesting it to present delegates that would observe court proceedings, in the treasonable felony charge brought against the IPOB leader.
Njenje Media News reports that in a letter dated 11th January 2022 and signed by lead counsel Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor and addressed to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the legal team prayed the Secretary-General ‘to send representative(s) of the United Nations to observe the proceedings of the court on those adjourned dates and on any other date to which further proceedings in the cause may be adjourned until the matter is disposed of’.
Read the letter below:
11th January, 2022
The Secretary General, United Nations,
Through the Country Representative,
United Nations Development Programme,
Diplomatic Drive,
Central Business District,
Area 1, Garki, Abuja.
Dear Sir,
REQUEST FOR DELEGATE(S)/REPRESENTATIVE(S) TO OBSERVE COURT PROCEEDINGS.
IN RE: CHARGE NO. FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA V. NNAMDI KANU
The above refers.
We act as Barristers and Solicitors to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu (hereinafter referred to as, our client). We write this letter to the Secretary General on behalf of our client and with his consent and authority. May we respectfully notify the Secretary General that criminal proceedings in respect of the 7-CountAmended Charge preferred against our client and pending at the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, are due to continue on the 18th, 19thand 20th of January, 2022. In view of the foregoing, may we, gratefully, please, request the Secretary General to send representative(s) of the United Nations to observe the proceedings of the court on those adjourned dates and on any other date to which further proceedings in the cause may be adjourned until the matter is disposed of.
The need to ensure that our client is given a fair trial has compelled us to make this request. The instant request is compelling in the circumstance, to ensure that the whole process of our Client’s trial is fair and just in all circumstances. It must be remembered that his purported indictment on criminal charges has a political undercurrent. This fact impels all truly democratic institutions of the world, to keep a close, watchful and attentive eye on the whole judicial process that has intervened to determine his culpability. The Nigerian Government, clearly, has a profound interest in the criminal charge pending against our client and the outcome of his trial. The said Government overreached itself by ensuring that our client was brought back to Nigeria by every means possible. Some leading members of the Government have also made certain unsavory comments about our client. For this reason, we view as compelling the need to invite representatives of true democratic institutions of the world to observe court proceedings in relation to his trial.
Further, we view the recent extra-judicial commentmade by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in a media chat he had with two journalists about the pending trial of our client with circumspection. We firmly believe that the comment approximates to a taunt. To forestall any undesirable consequence that may eventuate on it, we consider it expedient that truly democratic institutions of the world send representatives to observe proceedings of the trial of our client. We firmly believe that the presence of those representatives in court would make all parties tow the path of honour and rectitude and assure the fair trial of our client.
In view of the foregoing, and anticipating the indulgence of the Secretary General, may we then respectfully request the Secretary General to forward to us the name of at least a representative, to enable us formally notify the court of his expected presence in court on the adjourned dates.
We also wish to use this opportunity to appeal to the United Nations to prevail on the Nigerian Government to caution her security agents. They should exhibit a modicum of civility in their operations and must refrain from harassing, intimidating and or arresting innocent civilians who may throng the court premises on the 18th, 19thand 20th of January, 2022, in demonstration of their unwavering solidarity to our client. It is on record that these civilians who have remained devoted and steadfast in their commitment and solidarity have conducted themselves peacefully and in the most civil manner. It is also on record that, notwithstanding the fact that these civilians have always been peaceful in their conduct and show of solidarity, the security agents have continued to harass intimidate and arrest them. Many of these persons so arrested are still languishing in various detention facilities in Nigeria.
While thanking the Secretary General for the expeditious attention accorded to this request, may the Secretary General accept the assurance of our highest regards.
Yours Faithfully,
……………………………………….
CHIEF IFEANYI EJIOFOR
PRINCIPAL PARTNER
I.C. EJIOFOR & CO.
