Delay In Trial Shows My Case Is Political – Kanu

• Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyers claim his trial is politically motivated, citing judicial delays and violations of court orders
• Kanu was initially charged with treason in 2015, with charges later amended to terrorism; his bail was revoked after fleeing Nigeria

Nnamdi Kanu, the arrested leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has stated that the delay in his case is due to political reasons rather than legal or judicial issues.

Kanu’s lawyers, led by Aloy Ejimakor, Esq., claimed during a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday that Kanu’s trial is a form of persecution and state-sponsored extrajudicial imprisonment.

The defence lawyers stated that they have not received a letter reassigning the case to another judge since asking the trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako, to recuse herself from the trial for violating a Supreme Court decision over his alleged bail jumping and alleged indifference to the defendant’s fundamental human rights violations.

The lawyers also stated that the federal government had violated all orders issued by local and international courts regarding the alleged violation of Kanu and his supporters’ rights, while the Court of Appeal had delayed three appeals for the reinstatement of his bail, as ordered by the Supreme Court.

They pointed to some of the actions that have taken place since the trial in 2015 including the military invasion of his home on September 10, 2017, the proscription of IPOB on September 20, 2017, his illegal rendition from Kenya and the regular amendment of the charges.

While arguing that the refusal of Kanu’s bail despite the decision of the Supreme Court, makes the impartiality of the trial court suspect, they asked, “do you expect Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to subject himself to a trial by a judge against whom the Supreme Court of Nigeria has found to be biased and who is not ready to change?”

Kanu was first arrested and arraigned in 2015 on allegations bordering on treasonable felony, conspiracy to commit treasonable felony, illegal importation or concealment of broadcast equipment, and defamation of then president, Muhammadu Buhari, thereafter his charges were amended to terrorism-related offences.

He was granted bail in April 2017 but had his bail revoked after he escaped the country during the military invasion of his home in Afara Ukwu, Umuahia, Abia State, which resulted in the death of scores of people.