Can a House of Representatives Be Arrested for Treason
Detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, has asked the United Nations, Governments of the United States of America and United Kingdom to transport representatives to witness the seven-count amended charge preferred confronting him and pending at the Federal Loftier Court, Abuja Division due to continue on the 18th, 19th and 20th of January, 2022.
In June 2021, the IPOB leader was arrested in Kenya and extradited to Nigeria to confront treason charges.
He was subsequently arraigned and brought before Binta Nyako, a judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja, who asked him to be remanded at the DSS custody.
Kanu is facing charges bordering on treasonable felony instituted against him at the court in response to his agitation for the Republic of Biafra.
He was granted bail in Apr 2022 on wellness grounds but skipped bail afterward disregarding some of the conditions given to him by the court.
On July 26, Justice Nyako adjourned his trial till October 21, owing to the failure of the Nigerian regime to produce him in court.
On August 9, IPOB announced the enforcement of a lockdown every Monday until Kanu was released but afterwards suspended the directive, a few days later.
Ifeanyi Ejiofor, atomic number 82 counsel to Kanu, in different messages dated January 11 to the Un, US and UK, asked them to send representatives to observe the proceedings of the court on the adjourned dates.
According to Ejiafor, the request "is compelling in the circumstance, to ensure that the whole procedure of our customer'southward trial is off-white and just in all circumstances".
The counsel to the IPOB leader also asked the United nations, UK and US to prevail on the Nigerian Authorities to caution its security agents to exhibit a modicum of civility in their operations and refrain from harassing, intimidating and arresting innocent civilians who may throng the court premises on the said dates.
One of the messages read, "We act as barristers and solicitors to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu (hereinafter referred to equally, our client). We write this letter to the Secretary-Full general on behalf of our client and with his consent and authority.
"May we respectfully notify the Secretary-General that criminal proceedings in respect of the 7-count amended charge preferred against our customer and awaiting at the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, are due to proceed on the 18th, 19th and 20th of January, 2022.
"In view of the foregoing, may nosotros, gratefully, please, asking the Secretarial assistant-General to transport representative(southward) of the United nations to observe the proceedings of the court on those adjourned dates and on whatsoever other date to which further proceedings in the cause may be adjourned until the matter is disposed of.
"The need to ensure that our client is given a off-white trial has compelled us to make this request. The instant request is compelling in the circumstance, to ensure that the whole process of our customer's trial is fair and just in all circumstances. Information technology must be remembered that his purported indictment on criminal charges has a political undercurrent. This fact impels all truly democratic institutions of the world, to keep a close, watchful and attentive middle on the whole judicial process that has intervened to determine his culpability.
"The Nigerian Government, clearly, has a profound interest in the criminal charge pending against our client and the outcome of his trial. The said government overreached itself by ensuring that our client was brought dorsum to Nigeria by every means possible. Some leading members of the government accept also made sure unsavoury comments well-nigh our client. For this reason, we view as compelling the need to invite representatives of true autonomous institutions of the earth to find court proceedings in relation to his trial.
"Further, we view the contempo extra-judicial comment made past the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in a media chat he had with two journalists nearly the pending trial of our client with caution. We firmly believe that the comment approximates to a taunt. To forestall any undesirable consequence that may eventuate on it, we consider information technology expedient that truly democratic institutions of the world send representatives to detect proceedings of the trial of our client. Nosotros firmly believe that the presence of those representatives in court would make all parties tow the path of honor and rectitude and clinch the fair trial of our client.
"In view of the foregoing, and anticipating the indulgence of the Secretarial assistant-General, may we then respectfully request the Secretary-General to forward to the states the name of at least a representative, to enable united states of america formally notify the court of his expected presence in court on the adjourned dates.
"We also wish to use this opportunity to appeal to the Un to prevail on the Nigerian Authorities to circumspection her security agents. They should exhibit a modicum of civility in their operations and must refrain from harassing, intimidating and or arresting innocent civilians who may throng the court bounds on the 18th, 19th and 20th of January, 2022, in demonstration of their unwavering solidarity to our client. It is on record that these civilians who accept remained devoted and steadfast in their commitment and solidarity have conducted themselves peacefully and in the most civil manner.
"It is besides on record that, nonetheless the fact that these civilians have always been peaceful in their acquit and prove of solidarity, the security agents take connected to harass intimidate and arrest them. Many of these persons then arrested are still languishing in various detention facilities in Nigeria.
"While thanking the Secretary-General for the expeditious attention accorded to this asking, may the Secretary-Full general take the assurance of our highest regards."
Source: http://saharareporters.com/2022/01/12/ipob-leader-nnamdi-kanu-asks-united-nations-united-states-united-kingdom-send
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