The US military veterans expressed concern about the judge’s decision to deny Kanu’s request for bail and to be moved from the Department of State Services (DSS) headquarters in Abuja, where he has been detained in solitary confinement since June 2021 as a result of his extraordinary rendition from Kenya, to the Correctional Centre.
The American Military Veterans of Igbo Decent have written to Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, located in Abuja, requesting for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), due to their concerns about his prolonged confinement and worsening health.
The AVID President, Dr. Godson Obiagwu, and Secretary, Chief Dr. Sylvester Onyia and Dr. Obiagwu, respectively, signed the letter pleading with the sitting court to follow the Supreme Court’s ruling on Kanu, whom they regarded as a prisoner of conscience.
This occurs less than a week after IPOB urged the judge to recuse himself from Kanu’s trial on grounds of bias.
The US military veterans expressed concern about the judge’s decision to deny Kanu’s request for bail and to be moved from the Department of State Services (DSS) headquarters in Abuja, where he has been detained in solitary confinement since June 2021 as a result of his extraordinary rendition from Kenya, to the Correctional Centre.
“The judge’s refusal to comply with the Supreme Court judgement and the lack of willingness to interpret the constitution fairly are truly embarrassing and humiliating for the judicial system, Nigeria, and the whole world,” stated part of the letter that Vanguard was given access to.
“Mazi Nnamdi Kanu should have been taken to a correctional center, not kept in a federal government privately owned detention center where his conversations with his lawyers and family members are always monitored.
“The judge’s bias will not be looked upon favorably in history. Your actions show that you are following a script. Remember that you have no jurisdiction over this case. You have allowed the federal government to bring forth all sorts of charges against him, despite knowing he is innocent.
“The same prisoner was unjustly arrested and even after fleeing his home due to government invasion, he continues to face unjust imprisonment. His parents were also subjected to physical, emotional, and mental torture leading to their deaths. Injustice to Mr. Kanu is injustice everywhere”.
Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja, had last year discharged Kanu of all terrorism counts of charge against him by the Federal Government, and ordered his immediate unconditional release.
The Federal Government appealed the ruling at the Supreme Court which held that Kanu’s bail application should not be revoked.