JUSTICE CRIES: Could The Nigerian Judiciary Be Intentionally Jaundicing Nnamdi Kanu's Case?

 JUSTICE CRIES: Could The Nigerian Judiciary Be Intentionally Jaundicing Nnamdi Kanu's Case? 

We oftentimes hear the saying that all men are born equal. But sometimes, with the occurrence of events, we are force to ask if some people were born better than the others?

Recall that the long incarcerated leader of the Indigenous People Of Biafra(IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu had through his legal representatives, secured a landmark victory in the Abuja Court of Appeal on October 13th 2022, which ordered his unconditional release and barred any Court in Nigeria from prosecuting him further. The Appellate Court condemned the gross violation on Kanu's human rights, one of which is how the IPOB leader was abducted and renditioned from Kenya to Nigeria by the Nigerian authorities, against local and international laws. 

But, the Nigerian Supreme Court as an arm of the Nigerian judiciary, whose its vivid stipulated mandate like every other is to dispense justice, uphold the rule of law and safeguard the rights of the people, especially that of the defenseless masses, has continued to treat the case of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu with great contempt and reckless abandon. As it is often praised, "the judiciary is the last hope of the common man". What is happening in the case of the IPOB leader, for crying out loud? 

According to Dr. Martin Luther King in one of his inspiring lettered speech in 1963 said;

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. Never again can we afford to live with the narrow, provincial 'outside agitator' idea? 

The above self-definite statement should shape the mindset of all and sundry to strive to build a just and sane society, for those who lives in a house made of glasses should never throw stones. But, the Nigerian judiciary whom the natural obligation to administer justice without fear or favor in the country rests on, seems to be sleepwalking in contrast.

It is rightly imperative now, for the Supreme court to act accordingly in discharging its legal responsibilities with equity and fairness and resist attempts from power-grabbing executive arm to overshadow and control it. While there maybe arguments of the supreme court having backlog of unattended cases, the length of time it has taken to address this particular case is alarming and highly questionable.

The continuous illegal incarceration of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and the consistent call for his release is not only a local discus, but has reached its peak Internationally as several respectable personalities and reputable institutions like United Nations working group have added their voices to proclaim his innocence. 

Hence, further delay by the Nigerian Supreme Court to address this long overdue case will only cement the already existing notion that the judiciary is now a willing tool in the hands of the executive branch of the Federal government, and has failed to independently discharge its duty to the people. Such scenario will only degenerate to anarchy "for where no law rules, no rule lies".

Buhari, the Nigerian president should uphold his utterances where he stated unequivocally that "the court would determine the fate of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu", and stop intimidating judges with fears or favours.

 As well, the Nigerian public should rise up to protest against the excesses of the Federal government in continually attempting to override the justice system in the case of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. If such act stays  unabated, it will eventually affect so many other innocent people, one way or another in the future, because injustice is a threat to justice everywhere.

Written by Obulose Chidiebere

Edited by Enenienwite Ikechukwu

For Family Writers Press International