By Ugochinyere David
The proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) sympathizers may have, in ironic hope, predicted a quicker turn of events over Nnamdi Kanu’s self inflicted woes. Particularly, that the dawn of President Tinubu’s administration and the entrance of a new helmsmen overseeing the nation’s security architecture, may have raised a smokescreen for a political pardon. Now with that looking like an impossible wish, he attempts a new antic in the hopes that the latest tactic may yield his freedom, notwithstanding his apparent earlier yearning for one. He, again, in the usual apothesis of untamed ego stated recently, that no one should plead or appeal to the Government or anyone else, on his behalf. And, his reasons? That many Nigerians alike differ on, are that, he is unjustly tried, thus remains innocent and must be treated as such.
How can such a one be anything remotely linked with innocence. Kanu plunged the Southeast geopolitical zone into its current state of dire-redeemable kind of backwardness. He called for the killing of several persons including a seating president and incited the orchestration of large-scale guerilla attacks, maiming and killings in the name of seeking liberation.
Unfortunately, it is clear till today following his theatrics in court that he has no grip over the noose he let loose since he called for the commencement of a Biafra Republic laced with the blood of Nigerians who have done him no harm. All from this state of mental restiveness. It must be conceded to him, his innate ability to steer and sustain delirium. Only in September of 2024, his legal team following strict instructions sought the recusal of Hon. Justice Nyako over unstated reasons why he mistrusts her presiding over his case. Shocking right? Yes, it was surprising, even in judicial circles. Given that Kanu had openly, glowingly praised Nyako, only months earlier, for ordering that the Department of State Services (DSS) ensures his utmost welfare, change of his over-used Fendi outfit and the immediate expansion of his visitors list. Nnamdi, blows hot and cold, vile and numb, like a badly nurtured child who doesn’t get his way. He never has a mental grip or emotional capacity to control sudden impulses
whether rightly or wrongly. Yet again, in several instances in his bemused agitation, Kanu after slandering the DSS for maltreatment and harassment in their custody, had in July 2021, disobeyed an order of the court subjecting him to continue his detention at the Kuje Correctional Services Centre. He all of a sudden preferred the soft-life of the DSS detention. Alas!
Nnamdi Kanu is bereft of what he wants. Therefore, it is utterly impossible for anyone to grant it. In that apparent frustration of the seeming ambiguity of his peddled unconditional release as an offshoot of a political pardon, Kanu arrives in the court to intimidate, harass and cast ridiculous aspersions on the bench. He yelled out an utmost respect and love for Hon. Justice Nyako which is his reason for being available in court and goes ahead to denigrate her husband, family, and the other respected luminaries present, including members of his defence team. Kanu in his normalized fit of no control, stands down his team, attempts to defend himself and proceeds to throw baseless allegations of N300 million bribes against not one, but two of those sitting during proceedings. Proclivity
This speaks to the very facts at hand, which is the very rationale of his protracted incarceration. He charted a libelous quest to own and rule over his brothers, taking up treasonable and terror acts along the way, thus he does have a case to answer. Those who may feel aggrieved with the judiciary, the government or perhaps Mr. President, should note that the Parliamentary Assembly Council of Europe among numerous others, states that a person qualifies for political pardon as a political prisoner if the suspect’s detention is imposed for political reasons without proclivity to any other offences. Nnamdi Kanu has never contested and may never run for office, whether independently or under a party. So, how were we bullied into considering a political solution for which such despicable several contempt of court? Turning proceedings into a royal rumble stage for Kanu and his cohorts, against Hon. Justices who have served unquestionably?
The severity of his charges and a consequent unrepentant disposition amidst his history with gloatfully jumping bail does continually diminish his chances. His actions have contravened both domestic and international conventions making it all the more difficult for pardon.
As he attempts to skew the picture of what he wants the public to believe in pursuance to his sinister motives, those who remotely empathise with him, should only recall the lifeless bodies of notable KINSMEN who were wasted, as brainwashed IPOBians sought to fight for freedom, or better still fought Nigeria for Biafra.
Those innocent persons deserve some form of justice… so help us God.
…Ugochinyere David is a social critic based in Port Harcourt
