IPOB
IPOB: “I did my best for Kanu.” Ejiofor, Family “Sacks” Lawyers,
IPOB: “I did my best for Kanu.” Ejiofor, Family “Sacks” Lawyers,
NewsReport Nigeria reports that the family of detained Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has suspended the services of his legal counsel.
The secessionist’s younger brother, Kanunta Kanu, who made this known in a tweet yesterday, said Kanu’s lawyers, Prof. Mike Ozekhome and Ifeanyi Ejiofor, have been sacked.
According to him, the development followed the inability of the lawyers to see their client, who is being detained at the Department of State Services (DSS) headquarters in Abuja.
But asked for his reaction via phone call, Ozekhome told The Guardian: “I am just hearing. I didn’t know, and nobody told me anything. I am just hearing about it.
“I was with him two weeks ago. Aloy Ejimakor has been working very hard with his younger brother at the Supreme Court. They have been handling the matter competently at the Supreme Court, and they have given me a date. I was in DSS two weeks ago to get a date for his treatment.
“So, I don’t know what that one means. I have fought for that guy. No one does not know how I have fought for that guy. We have never quarreled. I’m just hearing about it from you now.”
Kanunta also accused the lawyers of allegedly stopping medical doctors billed to attend to the secessionist in DSS custody.
He said: “After Nnamdi Kanu’s case on May 11, 2023, Ozekhome refused to see his client at DSS headquarters, even after several messages from Kanu to see him.
“Secondly, for stopping the medical doctors who were to examine Kanu on June 5, even when he and Ifeanyi Ejiofor were duly informed on June 2, and Kanu told them to inform his family to arrange that.
“For those obvious reasons and many more, Ozekhome and Ejiofor are hereby sacked as Kanu’s counsel. The Kanu family appreciates your time and efforts so far. Please hand over legal documents ASAP.”
Meanwhile, the United Kingdom Court of Appeal has scheduled June 22 to hear an appeal by the family of Kanu over his continued detention by the Nigerian government.
Kanu’s UK family lawyer, Shirin Marker of Bindmans LLP, confirmed the date while noting that there is no “clear and principled policy around protecting British citizens mistreated abroad.”
In a statement Marker signed and circulated, Kanu’s special counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, said Kanu’s case will set an important precedent on “whether the British government has the right to avoid deciding on whether a British citizen is subject to fundamental breaches of international law, despite overwhelming evidence of violations of their rights.”
