FG is wrong to seek Nnamdi Kanu's re-arrest - Kanu's lawyer speaks

Nnamdi Kanu's lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor has reacted to the move by Federal Government to get the IPOB leader rearrested.

The lawyer to the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu, has described as ‘misconceived’, a request by the Nigerian government seeking the revocation of Kanu’s bail, Premium Times reports.

The Attorney General and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami, had filed an appeal asking a court to revoke its earlier order granting bail to the IPOB leader.

Citing the fact that Kanu had flouted his bail conditions, Malami advocated for his re-arrest and detention, pending trial.

In a statement , Malami had said: “Among other conditions for the bail of the 1st defendant are as follows: That he should not be seen in a crowd exceeding 10 people.

“That he should not grant any press interviews, hold or attend any rallies. And that he should file in court, medical updates of his health status every month.

“Rather than observing all the conditions, the 1st defendant/respondent in flagrant disobedience to the court order flouted all conditions given by the court.

“The first defendant has in furtherance to the offence he was charged, inaugurated Biafra Security Service.”

In response however, Kanu’s lawyer Ifeanyi Ejiofor, stated that his client had “successfully challenged the bail conditions referred to by the government”.

He stated further: “Though we intend to file a formal response to their most misconceived motion, it is my position that it does not lie in the power of the AG to ask for the revocation of the bail granted to my client.

“The prosecution can’t be seen at the same time as the persecutors. “We have successfully challenged the bail terms we considered offensive to our clients constitutionally guaranteed rights. So their recent application is belated.

“Let the federal government open their case if they have any genuine charge against my client. They are beating about the bush because they have no case against my client.

“Let me remind the public that the main essence of bail is to ensure that the person affected stands his trial and nothing more.

“Our client is ready to stand his trial but the federal government is not willing to open their case, they are rather interested in keeping my client behind bars which can’t happen again.

“Section 169 of the ACJA being relied upon by the AG can’t avail the Attorney General absolute power to ask for the revocation of bail. Parties must be heard on the merit by the court.”

Speaking further about the Biafra Secret Service, Ejiofor stated that the outfit could not be described as a threat to Nigeria’s national security, as it was a “mere group”.