ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- A group of Nigerians on Thursday staged a protest in Abuja, decrying the rising spate of insecurity in the South-East region and also opposed calls for the release of leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
They called on President Bola Tinubu and members of the National Assembly not to succumb to pressure to discontinue the ongoing trial of the IPOB leader.
The protesters gathered at the gate of the National Assembly, carrying placards bearing the images of victims of gunmen attacks in the region.
The protesters, who wore branded T-shirts, also faulted renewed calls for the release of Kanu, describing such demands as insensitive to the plight of victims of insecurity in the South-East.
Kanu is currently being prosecuted by the Department of State Services (DSS) on a seven-count charge bordering on alleged involvement in terrorism-related activities.
He has been in DSS custody since his re-arrest in Kenya and subsequent extradition to Nigeria in June 2021.
In recent weeks, several opposition leaders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, have demanded Kanu’s release.
Atiku had described the continued detention of the IPOB leader as “an open sore on our nation’s conscience,” insisting that defying court orders granting him bail amounted to “an abuse of power and an assault on justice.”
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“I, therefore, lend my voice in full support of the campaign led by @YeleSowore for his immediate release or due prosecution,” Atiku said in a statement.
However, Kanu’s legal battle took a new turn in September when the Federal High Court in Abuja rejected his no-case submission.
In a ruling, Justice James Omotosho held that the prosecution had established a case against Kanu sufficient to require him to open his defence.
The judge found that the evidence and exhibits tendered by the prosecution raised serious allegations of Kanu’s involvement in terrorist activities.
On Thursday, a medical team led by the President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) submitted its report on Kanu’s health to the court, concluding that his ailment was not life-threatening and that he was fit to stand trial.
The report, which was partly read in court by the prosecution counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), convinced Justice Omotosho that the defendant could proceed with his trial, especially as neither party objected to the medical findings.
The judge thereafter granted an oral application by Kanu’s counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), for a private consultation between the defendant and his legal team outside the premises of the DSS.
Agabi had expressed concern that their discussions could be recorded or monitored by DSS officials.
Justice Omotosho approved the request, directing that the private consultation be held in the courtroom between 9 a.m. and noon on October 22, with only Kanu and his lawyers present.
He also ruled that Kanu would open and close his defence within six consecutive days, beginning October 23.