Maxwell Okpara, the lawyer representing IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, has accused the Nigerian government of subjecting his client to “the highest injustice any other person can suffer”, describing the trial and conviction as deeply flawed and politically charged, stressing that despite the court ruling, Kanu’s struggle for justice and his lawful agitation must continue.
Speaking In an interview with ARISE NEWS on Friday, Okpara outlined what he described as critical lapses in Kanu’s trial, including the denial of his right to file a final written address and the acceptance of questionable evidence by the court. He argued that the trial was marred by a disregard for due process and fairness, and called for the Court of Appeal to intervene to rectify these procedural irregularities.
“Nnamdi Kanu has suffered the highest injustice any other person can suffer. He was enjoying his bail. The government went to his house in Faruku and they killed 38 persons and left with the 13 corpses. As we speak, he lost their parents.”
Okpara emphasised that contrary to the prosecution’s claims, Kanu never absconded or jumped bail. “As we speak, I am in Israel. If my lord can guarantee my security, I will come back to Nigeria. At the United Nations, a special reporter gave a decision saying that Nnamdi Kanu never exhorted the police. Nnamdi Kanu never jumped bail. As a matter of witness, Nigeria should release Nnamdi Kanu and refuse that judgement. Look at all the matters in the file. They say that Nnamdi Kanu should be released and that they should pay N16 billion Naira. As we speak to you, the federal government has done something without a judgement.”
He also condemned the handling of evidence during the trial. “When a judge admits inadmissible evidence, you can expunge it in the judgement. The court failed to evaluate several exhibits, especially those favourable to the defence. We tendered 34 exhibits, including Nnamdi Kanu tablets, including Nnamdi Kanu payphone. They collected the evidence. Now, the one, the judge relied heavily on a video clip. And anyone, anytime they want to tender anyone, after playing it, they will ask any objection, and our counsel will say, ‘My lord, we object, we object.’ In our final written address, all the sets are in the exhibit. This is how they tendered the exhibit. And we are planning, we plan to attack them on the final written address.”
On the issue of Kanu’s legal representation, Okpara clarified a misconception. “Mazi Kanu never sacked his lawyers. Rather, the lawyers withdrew. He has Paul Agabi, Ikeazu, Paul Irokoro, and others. He never sacked them. What is the rush? Justice rushed is justice crushed. Let him file his final written address.”
He also raised concerns about perceived ethnic bias in the trial. “Why the judgement yesterday is because Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is an Igbo. You can’t do it to any other tribe in Nigeria.”
Regarding the potential for unrest in the Southeast, Okpara called for calm but insisted that Kanu’s lawful agitation must continue. “Address it, agitation will just die naturally. Nnamdi Kanu sent instructions that the sit-at-home order should stop.”
Okpara concluded by reiterating the legal steps ahead. He said the Court of Appeal should review the trial proceedings to determine whether the judgement was delivered lawfully and in line with criminal procedure. “Let’s file it by Monday or Tuesday. The Court of Appeal should look at all matters and see whether this judgement was delivered in an unrestricted or unlawful manner.”
Erizia Rubyjeana
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