…rejects secret trial
An Abuja based-legal practitioner, Mr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has petitioned the European Union (EU) over the continuous detention of his client and leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, by the Federal Government over allegation of treasonable felony.
He said the petition, which was channelled through the EU representative in Nigeria had became imperative given the series of court orders ordering Kanu to be released.
In the petition with charge no. FCT/ABJ/CR\383\15, dated August 18, 2016, a copy of which was obtained by Saturday Telegraph via email, Ejiofor accused the Federal Government of thwarting the course of justice in the above criminal charge vide ostensible manipulations of judicial process at all levels, fragrant disobedience to positive orders of the court.
According to him, despite manifest frustrations of his client’s defence team, the rulings and orders made by the court in the course of the proceedings, were once again faced with the worst intrigue, carefully orchestrated by the state to hamstrung Kanu’s constitutionally guaranteed rights to fair hearing in the matter.
The petition further stated that following the denial of Kanu’s bail on the 29th January 2016,the matter was adjourned to February 9,10,11 and 12 this year. Ejiofor explained further that on February 9, the trial on the trump up charges preferred against his client (Kanu) was scheduled to commence, but the Federal Government through the Director of the Public Prosecution (DPP) and in clear move to truncate the hearing, filed an application that very morning, wherein they sought the orders of the court to allow their witnesses testify by the aid of facial mask and behind screen.
The petition reads: “We are solicitors to Nnamdi Kanu,the 1st defendant in the above caption, criminal charge, here in after refers to as ‘our client’ and on whose definite instruction we write to the European Union on the ugly direction the politically orchestrated trial of Kanu (a British citizen),premised on a most concocted charges of treasonable felony, is gradually assuming.
“We refer to our previous correspondence in relation to the above subject, reservation, worries and well informed fears expressed there in. In keeping with promises made in the aforesaid letter,we find it obligatory to keep the EU abreast of the happening, the petition read.
“The application was heard on February 19 along with our counter Affidavit filed in its opposition. In a well considered ruling delivered by the court on the same day, the court refused the prosecution’s prayers that sought for secret trial, among other reliefs, consequently ordered that the trial will be conducted in the open.
“In effect, the court granted an application for secret trial of our client, a British citizen, obviously sitting on appeal against his order made on February 19. In the face of this deliberate plot to perverse the course of justice, we promptly appealed to the court of Appeal Abuja Division, to set aside the later order for secret trial made by the court.
“The defence team was once again faced with the worst intrigue, carefully orchestrated by the state to hamstring our client’s constitutionally guaranteed rights to fair hearing/trial in the matter. “We shall object in a very strong term, any form of secret trial in the case.”
