A nonagenarian and former Aviation Minister, Chief Mbazulike Amaechi, alongside the co-Chair of the Interfaith Dialogue Forum for Peace, Bishop Sunday Onuoha, had on Thursday visited the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, who is in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
This visit was revealed by Kanunta Kanu, younger brother of Nnamdi Kanu via his known social media pages, where he wrote:
“Chief Mbazuruike Amechi and His Grace, Bishop Sunday Onuoha, visited their son #MaziNnamdiKanu the leader of IPOB at #DSS Headquarters in Abuja today, where they had a meaningful interaction,” Kanunta Kanu wrote.
Recall that few days ago, Chief Amaechi, had led Igbo elders to Aso Rock Villa where they met President Muhammadu Buhari to request for the release of Kanu who has been held since June.
Buhari, in his response, had said the unconditional release of the IPOB leader, who is currently standing trial for treason, would conflict the doctrine of separation of powers between the executive and the judiciary.
On Thursday, Justice Binta Nyako of a Federal High Court in Abuja rescheduled Kanu’s trial from January 19 to 18, 2022.
The shift in the trial date followed the abridgement of time granted by the judge following a passionate plea to that effect.
Kanu’s lead lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor had approached the Court with an application seeking an order of the court to accommodate the trial in November and December this year as against the earlier January 19, 2022.
The prosecuting Attorney of the Federal Government, Shuaib Labaran, however, told the court that a counteraffidavit opposing the request by the government had been filed and served on Kanu.
Justice Nyako informed Kanu’s lawyer that the application for time abridgement could not be granted because there was no judicial time for such an issue.
During the drama that ensued, the case diary of the court was read to the lawyer to establish that the court had crowded pending cases.
Following the insistence, Justice Nyako agreed to shift other cases slated for January 18 to accommodate the trial which would last till January 19 and 20.
Justice Nyako ordered the DSS to allow Kanu to practise his faith, change his clothes and be given the maximum possible comfort in the detention facility.
