By Olayemi Esan
Ifeanyi Ejiofor, the lead
counsels to the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu,
said they were “practically stripped naked” by officials of the
Department of State Service during their visit to the IPOB leader.
Ejiofor
who lamented that the dehumanisation of the lawyers continued during
Monday’s visit had last Thursday lamented that DSS officials forced
Kanu’s lawyers to wear slippers, adding that they were treated like
hardened criminals on visits to their client who is in detention.
He narrated how the lawyers were maltreated again in a Facebook post on Tuesday.
Nigerian officials have said that Kanu was brought back after he allegedly jumped bail and went on the run in 2017.
His family and lawyers say he was illegally arrested in June while in Kenya, tortured, and flown back to Nigeria.
The
lawyer said, “Our Client – Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu was visited
yesterday and in his usual practice, he extended his compliments to his
millions of supporters. He is indeed eternally grateful for the
overwhelming support and show of solidarity.
“It is pertinent to note
that the harassment, intimidation, and manhandling of our lawyers by
the DSS officials during the visit still continued, despite our protest
last week.
“Lawyers were ‘practically stripped naked’ while searching for incriminating materials during a court-ordered visit.
“We, therefore, do not mince words in stating that it is no longer safe as it stands today for us who are visiting our Client.
“This hostile treatment is becoming exceedingly intolerable and unacceptable in the prevailing circumstance.
“We
are now more apprehensive of the fact that no trial will commence in
the circumstance we presently find ourselves until our Client – Mazi
Nnamdi Kanu is transferred to the Correctional center.
“He can not be
tried for a one-way stereotyped conviction in the manner the Federal
Government is presently pursuing this. To deny us, his lawyers writing
materials and for the visits to be conducted under the atmosphere of
fear and intimidation is highly unacceptable and condemnable.
“The
script currently being played is a clear demonstration of the Federal
Government strategy to deny him a fair trial, and we cannot accept it,
under no circumstance. We understand the game and the dancing pattern.
“I want you all to be reminded that the present development is a direct consequence of your prayers well answered.
“We
crave for more prayers and urge you all to continue to remain
law-abiding and peaceful in the conduct of your affairs. Be assured that
with truth and God on our side, we will win the battle in court
overwhelmingly.
“We shall continue to keep you posted as the event
unfolds, but be assured that we will have reasons to rejoice in no
distance time, Umuchineke.”
“We, therefore, do not mince words in stating that it is no longer safe as it stands today for us who are visiting our Client.
“This hostile treatment is becoming exceedingly intolerable and unacceptable in the prevailing circumstance.
“We
are now more apprehensive of the fact that no trial will commence in
the circumstance we presently find ourselves until our Client – Mazi
Nnamdi Kanu is transferred to the Correctional center.
“He can not be
tried for a one-way stereotyped conviction in the manner the Federal
Government is presently pursuing this. To deny us, his lawyers writing
materials and for the visits to be conducted under the atmosphere of
fear and intimidation is highly unacceptable and condemnable.
“The
script currently being played is a clear demonstration of the Federal
Government strategy to deny him a fair trial, and we cannot accept it,
under no circumstance. We understand the game and the dancing pattern.
“I want you all to be reminded that the present development is a direct consequence of your prayers well answered.
“We
crave for more prayers and urge you all to continue to remain
law-abiding and peaceful in the conduct of your affairs. Be assured that
with truth and God on our side, we will win the battle in court
overwhelmingly.
“We shall continue to keep you posted as the event
unfolds, but be assured that we will have reasons to rejoice in no
distance time, Umuchineke.”