Why Justice Binta Nyako Must Grant Nnamdi Kanu Unconditional Release Today
By: Anyikwa Kelechi Cynthia
Six out of the eleven count charges brought against the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and 3 others were dropped by Justice Binta Nyako on 1st March, 2017 of which the most cheering is the charge of managing an unlawful society of which her Lordship, Justice Binta Nyako confirmed that IPOB is not an “unlawful society” in her ruling.
IPOB leadership appreciates the presiding judge on her good move of disregarding the threats and wishes of dictator Muhammadu Buhari to further detain and eventually convict citizen Nnamdi Kanu over the trumped up charges by the government. Justice Binta Nyako’s ruling during the last court sitting on 1st March 2017 was based on the law and not sentiments, of which IPOB applauds.
However, in as much as six out of eleven charges were struck out, we are asking why is Nnamdi Kanu and others still in prison? That is, of course, the question on the lips of many people as governments of the world continues to beam its searchlight on the court proceedings.
Justice Binta Nyako, having found IPOB legal and a lawful society in her last ruling, her pronouncement simply implies that what the Indigenous People of Biafra are agitating for is in accordance with the law, equally enshrined in the United Nations charter which Nigeria as a country is a signatory to.
It’s also necessary at this junction to remind Justice Binta Nyako that she won’t be the first to have granted bail to the accused as two competent courts have in the past granted him bail and another ordering his unconditional release.
It’s pertinent to note that citizen Nnamdi Kanu was arraigned before a Magistrate Court Abuja by the Nigerian DSS and slammed with a treasonable felony charge. The Magistrate heard the case and saw there was no substantial evidence to keep detaining him in prison granted him bail, but Buhari and his DSS refused to obey the court order.
Again, at the Federal High Court Abuja, Kanu was ordered to be released unconditionally but the APC government headed by Hitler Buhari refused to obey the court judgment. It’s therefore, important that Justice Binta Nyako rebuffs any move by the Federal Government to move another motion for a secret trial of Nnamdi Kanu.
The world will definitely be watching to know if Justice Binta Nyako will do justice by granting the accused bail as the charges still remaining against them are all bailable offenses subject to the discretion of the Judge. It’s, therefore, paramount that Binta Nyako brings her discretion to bear on the case and allow justice to prevail.
