By Emma Ogbuehi
In a bid to ensure fair trial for the detained leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu , apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze, has constituted a legal team led by its National Legal Adviser and eminent Igbo Leaders to monitor the legal proceedings, throughout the trial.
Kanu was recently re-arrested and brought back to the country through an operation the federal government described as a coordinated action by security agents with international collaboration. He is remanded in Department of State Security (DSS) facility and billed for continuation of his trial later in the month. To ensure that he is accorded fair trial, Ohanaeze has vowed to monitor the proceedings.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia, Ohanaeze maintained that in as much as it is not averse to the trial of the IPOB leader, he should be tried within the ambits of the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and in line with global best practices.
The group equally declared its solidarity with Igbo youths in their grievances with respect to marginalization, stressing however that it does not support use of any form of violence to redress the relative deprivation and prevailing inequality and injustice across the country.
“We urge the youths to be law abiding and sheath their sword as the South East leaders and stakeholders address these our collective grievances through meaningful dialogue and negotiations”, the statement added.
It urged Ndigbo particularly the youths to take the ongoing voters’ registration exercise seriously, stressing that it is the only means that guarantees their effective participation in Nigerian politics and a strong basis for achieving their goals and aspirations in the Nigeria project.
Ohanaeze also expressed support for the resolution by the Southern Governors Forum on anti-open grazing, restructuring, rotation of the President of Nigeria to the South in 2023, and the proposed 5% share of the Petroleum Industries Bill (PIB) for the host communities.
