Pan-Igbo cultural group, Ohaneze Ndigbo, condemns plans by the
Federal government to revoke the bail of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
The
Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar
Malami, yesterday filed an application before the Federal High Court
Abuja seeking for the revocation of Nnamdi Kanu's bail, arguing that the
secessionist group leader has flouted all his bail conditions.
Reacting to the Federal government's application, the
president-general of Ohaneze-Ndigbo, John Nwodo, in a statement released
today, accused the Federal government of bias. He wondered why the
Attorney general was not quick at pulling the necessary machinery to get
the Arewa youths that issued the quit notice to Igbos, arrested.
His
statement reads..
“It has just been brought to my notice that the Attorney-General of
the Federation has approached the courts to incarcerate Nnamdi Kanu for
flouting his bail conditions. I am amazed that the distinguished
attorney is prepared to contest the superiority of the provisions of the
constitution on fundamental human rights of freedom of movement and
freedom of association over an erroneous judicial proclamation violating
those rights. I am equally miffed by the audacity with which the
attorney-general displays his bias without regard to his oath of
office.
A few hours ago under the watchful eyes of the chairman of the
northern governors forum and in total defiance of the head of state’s
proclamation of the rights of a citizen of Nigeria to live anywhere in
Nigeria and to do business anywhere in Nigeria, the Arewa youths,
pretending to withdraw their quit notice gave qualifications to the Head
of State’s proclamation, issuing conditions for enjoyment of
citizenship status. These same Arewa youths are supposed to have been
arrested on the orders of the governor of Kaduna state and the
inspector-general of police for acts of treason, conversion and
sedition. As the chief law officer of the federation the
attorney-general looks the other way. He does not go to court to seek
an order of arrest or prosecution.
Nnamdi, as a citizen of Nigeria, is free to hold any point of view no
matter how displeasing to anyone so long as they are not inciting or
provoking any criminal activities. I and some Igbo leaders have
differences of opinion with Nnamdi on a number of issues. We have been
insulted and abused by Radio Biafra but we concede them their right to
differ from us. We concede them their nature to be exuberant as youths
but we cannot be judgmental about their rights. This is a democracy.
In
democracies, leaders are abused, pelted with rotten eggs and booed at,
as the former Edo State governor was booed in Abuja a few days ago.
These acts are not necessarily criminal. “I urge the Attorney-General
not to exacerbate our already tense nation by commencing a legal action
which portrays him as biased, insensitive and misdirected,” the Ohanaeze
leader said.
“I and some Igbo leaders have differences of opinion with Nnamdi on a
number of issues. We have been insulted and abused by Radio Biafra but
we concede them their right to differ from us. We concede them their
nature to be exuberant as Youths but we cannot be judgmental about their
rights. This is a democracy. In democracies leaders are abused, pelted
with rotten eggs and booed at, as the former Edo state governor was
booed in Abuja a few days ago. These acts are not necessarily criminal.”
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