Hon Obi Aguocha is the member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North/ Umuahia South Federal Constituency of Abia State within the Home of Representatives. On this interview, he speaks on the continued detention of the chief of the Indigenous Folks of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi, and efforts of South-East leaders to safe his launch, amongst different points, ANAYO EZUGWU writes
What’s your thought on getting the legal professionals of the detained separatist chief, Nnamdi Kanu, who haven’t visited him since September or gained entry to him, however they issued an announcement thanking you and commending you in your effort in that regard. How did you pull it off?
The legal professionals approached me someday in September, not simply as someone who’s on the forefront of the advocacy, but in addition as Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s consultant on the Federal Home. Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is from Umuahia North and I’m additionally from Umuahia North.
We grew up collectively and we performed soccer in Umuahia. So, he’s someone well-known. Each households are well-known to one another. So, it’s my utmost accountability as a Federal Home member representing him to talk for him, the place nobody else would converse for him.
Not only for him, however for a lot of others in that hole who could also be dealing with one problem or the opposite, particularly within the administration of felony justice because it pertains to Nigeria. So, I’ve been talking about him. We’ve began to make some headway.
Beforehand, it was very combative between the federal government’s method and naturally, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s authorized workforce method. So, they approached me to say, properly, for over a while, they’ve not had entry to him. So, I wrote to the Director of Division of State Providers {DSS}.
He responded. Somewhat than escalate it within the chamber of the Home of Representatives, I selected to contain my Speaker. We had a tripartite assembly between myself, the Speaker and the DG of DSS and we resolved a number of the points pending when the legal professionals will come collectively as a result of the matter continues to be in court docket.
The decide dealing with the matter was additionally concerned Hon Obi Aguocha is the member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North/ Umuahia South Federal Constituency of Abia State within the Home of Representatives.
On this interview, he speaks on the continued detention of the chief of the Indigenous Folks of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi, and efforts of South-East leaders to safe his launch, amongst different points, ANAYO EZUGWU writes within the course of. However final week was the primary time that the legal professionals got entry to him on the directive of the DG of DSS, who I commend tremendously.
He has come to this place, a really tough place in dealing with a really delicate subject. However he has come on this place additionally being conscious that the difficulty at hand may be very delicate and he’s placing a human face.
This can be a democratic nation, and in a democracy, folks have the correct to a authorized defence workforce in no matter circumstance they discover themselves in. So, it’s Nnamdi Kanu’s authorized proper; isn’t it?
It’s a authorized subject, like I stated in my earlier assertion that’s well-known to each events. It stemmed from Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s authorized workforce requesting a recusal of the decide.
The decide recused herself and so the place of the DG of DSS or the place of the federal government, now turns into that because the decide has recused herself from the matter, there are now not problems with session between the legal professionals and Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Nonetheless, even a number of the functions that had been made in court docket had been withdrawn.
As a result of the identical query would have been requested, properly, if the identical decide had recused herself, and all the selections of the decide, as the federal government had claimed, had been a nullity, then the identical decide was the one which gave the detention order for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. So, that should have rendered that additionally as a nullity.
An important factor the Nigerian state ought to do is to hunt a political resolution that may finish this nightmare… carry peace and stability to the South East
Does his authorized proper to ask for a decide to be recused if he feels that he’s not getting honest trial remedy has something to do together with his proper to have entry to his legal professionals?
I completely agree with you. That was the place we took. That was the place even within the assembly between myself, the Speaker and the DG DSS. I took that place and Mr. Speaker concurred with that place. Even the DG DSS concurred.
Now, whereas saying thanks, the DG may have simply come to that assembly, feigned ignorance of the legislation, and say no, properly, let’s begin a squabble, let’s preserve going at one another.
They are going to launch one press assertion and Kanu’s legal professionals will launch their very own assertion. However he acknowledges the place of the legislation and units apart the workplace of DG DSS, who may have are available in as a cowboy. However he then stated, no, I would like issues to be carried out correctly.
He gave the room to permit myself, the Speaker, and the legal professionals of Nnamdi Kanu to be engaged to find an answer that may allow each side, not less than to start to speak and have entry to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. It’s not simply that. There have been points as properly regarding the well being of Nnamdi Kanu. It was rumoured that he was lifeless, and it was rumoured that he was ailing, which I additionally requested the DG.
The DG for the primary time, allowed Nnamdi Kanu to decide on a physician of his personal selection, and on the similar time, allowed him additionally to decide on a medical facility past the federal government medical services for his remedy. Nnamdi Kanu has exercised that privilege and can proceed as properly.
So, he has now gone to the hospital to see a physician…
Sure, and the final time he went was in October and he confirmed it to me as a result of a part of my effort was additionally to see him, to debate with him, to know his thought course of as to every little thing that’s going round, and in addition to temporary him, and to make him perceive the circumstances round.
And he assured me that he was snug with the physician that he selected, and he’s snug with the medical facility that he selected as properly to go to.
So, on problems with entry and problems with administration of his well being, I can say that this present DG of SSS has been very cordial, and has been very respectful, way more than up to now. That was why I stated he had proven a human face.
However within the bigger scheme of issues, how a lot does it transfer the needle ahead by way of getting Kanu nearer to respiratory the air of freedom?
I can let you know that quite a lot of issues have been carried out, not simply by me, however by well-meaning Nigerians and stakeholders, who’ve discovered this to be a difficulty of injustice; who’ve additionally discovered this to look that there are two units of guidelines in Nigeria, one for each different Nigerian, and one other one for the Igbo man.
The place each different Nigerian will scale sure circumstances, the Igbo man will discover it very tough to scale However what we thought would have been extra significant is the invocation of part 174 of the Nigerian Structure that enables the Lawyer Common, earlier than the dedication or a judgement of the court docket to withdraw the matter.
Some precedents have already been set on this. So, we’re simply asking that the way in which they’ve carried out for Sunday Igboho, the way in which they’ve carried out for Omoyele Sowore and lots of others, that Nnamdi Kanu is entitled to these basic rights as a citizen.
You talked about part 174 of the Nigerian Structure. In June, you made a direct enchantment to President Bola Tinubu together with dozens of your colleagues on the Nationwide Meeting, urging him to order the Lawyer Common to discontinue the case primarily based on part 174, which provides him the facility to finish the trial within the public curiosity and within the curiosity of justice. Did you ever hear again from the President or the Lawyer Common?
As I stated, we’ve met with the Lawyer Common a number of occasions. I’ve additionally met together with his Chief of Workers to Mr. President and lots of different authorities functionaries.
The one individual I’ve not met one-on-one is Mr. President. And for apparent causes, he needs to be happy with the authorized place. He additionally needs to be happy with the safety positions. So, a lot has been taking place.
The confidentiality of that can be what I stated as a authorities officer, I can’t reveal however I’m very optimistic. My governor, Dr Alex Otti, additionally just lately talked about it. I haven’t met Mr. President however some assurances got to my governor by the President.
These assurances which have been given to my governor stay in line with the assurances additionally that I’ve been given and the issues that I’ve labored with sure circles which have been put up for this. I’m very optimistic that inside no quick distance time, Nnamdi Kanu can be launched from detention.
Whether or not he’s going to be launched by the invocation of part 174 or whether or not he’s going to be granted bail, the Supreme Courtroom in spite of everything stated that the decrease court docket ought to not have revoked his bail contemplating the circumstances that he confronted earlier than he absconded.
Which means the army got here to his residence, ransacked his residence, and he escaped. Presumably if he was there, he would have been shot lifeless similar to many others. The Supreme Courtroom held that beneath the circumstances his motion of operating away was justifiable. That’s what the Supreme Courtroom stated.
Since they’ve already stated that he can’t be denied bail, additionally it is our need that if bail will be granted to him, I’m prepared and in a position to countersign that bail, in order that he can have the power to depart detention not less than to have the ability to maintain himself, see his household and undertake different actions.
By way of the case towards him, the final we heard was that he was dealing with seven counts of terrorism in addition to belonging to a prescribed organisation, which is IPOB. Is that also the case towards him?
Sure, these are the present costs. They haven’t added extra costs since you by no means know that this stuff are very dynamic. Nonetheless, the query we ought to have the ability to ask is: Is Nnamdi Kanu legally in Nigeria? The reply isn’t any. The extradition that introduced him to Nigeria was unlawful.
That’s what the Supreme Courtroom stated. They’ll strive all they need to do, however they can’t attempt to convict Nnamdi Kanu as a result of the Supreme Courtroom stated you shouldn’t have introduced him right here within the first occasion.
There are authorized processes that should have occurred between the Nigerian state and Kenya for Nigeria to hunt the extradition of Nnamdi Kanu, reasonably than going over there, forcefully kidnapping him and bringing him again to Nigeria.
I believe since there’s a precedent, an important factor that the Nigerian state ought to do is to hunt a political resolution that may finish this nightmare for everyone and frustration for Nnamdi Kanu, and in flip result in peace and stability within the South-East.
You’ve got persistently argued that Nnamdi Kanu’s freedom will tackle the safety state of affairs within the South-East and increase the picture of President Tinubu within the zone. Is that also your place?
Not simply the picture of President Tinubu, but in addition increase the picture of the South-East. The folks of the South-East are very industrious and peaceable by nature.
Our disposition is constructed on a particular character that talks about that you’ve got a basic proper to exist and we even have a basic proper to exist. In any case, there isn’t a tribe in Nigeria that’s extra nationalistic than the Igbos.
Wherever you go to within the nation, you see brick and mortar, everlasting fixtures put up by the Igbos, which signifies that they’ve recognized these locations as locations they’ll dwell, locations they’ll elevate their households and locations they’ll work.
Not like most different Nigerians who even come to Igbo land, their presence within the South-East is extra transitional, which means they arrive for one particular factor or the opposite.
As soon as that’s carried out, they transfer on. Nnamdi Kanu, like I stated, in my personal go to to him has stated that he believes within the financial growth of the South-East. And President Tinubu, having signed the South East Growth Fee Invoice into legislation, is an efficient begin for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the zone since post-civil battle.
No one is towards that and Nnamdi Kanu has known as for an financial renaissance that may make the states to work collectively for the widespread good, not only for the South-East however for Nigeria.
If the South-East is fastened and there are sufficient alternatives, each different individual will come to the zone to take part within the financial actions there. Nnamdi Kanu has renounced violence and the Mondays’ stay-at-home that has ravaged the financial actions of the South-East, and he has additionally renounced the excessive degree of crime and criminality, banditry and assassination which are prevalent within the zone as we converse.
Christmas time is coming; how many individuals are prepared to go residence? If we take Nnamdi Kanu out of this issue, we’ll now know those that are chargeable for the crimes and criminality within the South-East as a result of they’re now benefiting from the economics of excessive crime. Sure, it would take a while, however step one to that point is to have the ability to get Nnamdi Kanu out.
If the SouthEast is fastened and there are sufficient alternatives, each different individual will come to the zone to take part within the financial actions there
Past the factors that you just’ve made, how a lot does this elevate questions for you as a lawmaker in regards to the respect that this nation’s rulers, in case you like, have for the judiciary?
Sure, there have been repeated circumstances of violation of court docket orders by the state up to now, so the place lies the ethical obligation or accountability of the state to proceed to detain Nnamdi Kanu?
It’s very irritating however it’s important to preserve shifting. I get up each single day fascinated by what I’ve to do extra to make sure that my constituent, Nnamdi Kanu is free. He’s my main accountability, not simply him, however many others and I’m talking for each subject that considerations injustice.
Now, it’s irritating within the administration of the administration of felony justice, it doesn’t swing in a single path, similar to many others have swung in that path, the place many individuals who had been charged in the identical means they charged Nnamdi Kanu for treasonable offences have all themselves been, on the dedication of the court docket, and rightfully so, I’m not saying that’s improper. However on the dedication of the court docket, the court docket stated allow them to go.
So why do you proceed to maintain Nnamdi Kanu? And I’ve stated it may be simply ethnic colourations or tribal colourations or spiritual colourations, however some individuals are happy in permitting him to be there to rot to demise.
To be honest, Sowore for instance, wasn’t main a separatist motion of armed folks, though he known as it RevolutionNow… Is Nnamdi main an armed group?
The reply isn’t any. That’s what the federal government says. And has the federal government been in a position to show it? Let me let you know this. Similar to after I went to go to former President Muhammadu Buhari; I stated to President Buhari that I’m sorry for each disagreeable utterance that my brother might have made towards you, as a result of one, you’re the President.
He’s not. You’re an elder statesman. He’s not. So we nonetheless are Africans. We’ve got respect for elders. There are particular methods that you would be able to discuss to your age mates, and there are additionally ways in which you shouldn’t discuss to your elders.
So, to the extent that a few of his utterances might have been discovered wanting, I’m right here to say I’m sorry. It’s the accountability of a father to smack a baby after which use the opposite hand to interrupt it. After, I spent nearly two and a half hours with him.
After the discussions, he stated, son, in your humility and the way that you just’ve approached this subject and that you just’ve additionally come to me, I can’t oppose any political options or concepts that may result in Nnamdi Kanu’s launch from detention.
By way of the face of it, you’re no nearer at this level to breaking the chains that proceed to bind Nnamdi Kanu and preserving him firmly beneath lock and key…
We’re very shut. As a authorities officer, I’m additionally attempting to take care of a cloak of secrecy and confidentiality. However my confidence has grown as a result of the federal government, not less than, is partaking in contrast to beforehand, once they didn’t need to interact.
Now, we’re speaking. Now, once we elevate objections about this and that, they’re serving to us to maneuver the needle and to maneuver the gauge and every little thing additional.
However I imagine that within the nearest or shortest attainable time, as my governor just lately stated, Nnamdi Kanu can be free and the South-East can be free from excessive crimes and criminality, banditry and assassinations that at the moment are commonplace. South easterners can now go residence to do their enterprise, see their households, and be extra engaged.
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