A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, Kenneth Okonkwo, has urged the Federal Government to release the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu. He recently stressed the need for a political resolution to the long-running case.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, Okonkwo said that the justice system’s handling of Kanu’s case has been appalling, and his prolonged detention is not a good look for Nigeria.
According to him, Nnamdi Kanu’s extended incarceration is further proof of a broader failure in the delivery of justice.
Citing Section 36 of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees the presumption of innocence until proven guilty, the former Nollywood actor stated that the delay in resolving the IPOB leader’s case clearly undermines the credibility of the nation’s legal system.
“A nation that detains a human being for more than seven years.
You have him in your custody and yet you couldn’t even reach a judgment as to the culpability of his crime is a nation that is failing in the dispensation of justice.
Justice delayed is justice denied. When it comes to the issue of crime, the Constitution is very clear that the accused or defendant should be judged within a reasonable time.
It is very unreasonable to keep a man in detention for almost seven years. What are you judging?” he said.
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He further argued that no Nigerian should endure such lengthy pretrial detention, which the IPOB leader has endured.
Okonkwo concluded by saying that Nnamdi Kanu should be released with immediate effect if the FG cannot find anything to hold against him.
“In the case of Nnamdi Kanu, the legal processes have been abused. Nobody remains sane to be in jail for more than seven years while a case is being tried.
People are frustrated, people believe that if you do not find anything against this man, release him or reach a political solution,” he added.
