Abia Lawmaker Visits Nnamdi Kanu In Custody, Intervenes Over Denial Of Access To Lawyers

The member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South federal constituency of Abia State in the House of Representatives, Hon. Obi Aguocha, has visited the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

A statement issued on Saturday by the media team of the lawmaker said he was recently approached by Kanu’s legal team, complaining of its inability to interface with the detained IPOB leader.

The statement read in part, “A few days ago, the lawyers to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu reached out to his Honourable member, Obi Aguocha, representing Ikwuano, Umuahia North, and Umuahia South federal constituency. This was in relation to the long-running difficulties being encountered by the legal team in their efforts to gain access and meet with their client.

“Hon Obi Aguocha took urgent steps in writing the Department of State Security and Dr. Tajudeen Abbas, Honourable Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives, seeking their immediate intervention.

“A meeting of the aforementioned was positive to the effect that Hon Obi Aguocha having inquired from the DSS, who informed that the seeming pause to accessing Mazi Nnamdi Kanu was occasioned by his lawyers asking the judge to recuse herself, which requires further legal process and is also known to both parties.

“Hon. Obi Aguocha had a physical audience with Mazi Nnamdi Kanu on Thursday, 24th of October 2024, in the company of an immediate family member, Ms Ezioma Stella Ikpo, Hon. Obi Aguocha fully briefed Mazi Nnamdi Kanu about the circumstances during their meeting.”

The statement further noted that the legal team has now been granted access to their client.

“A resolution was reached regarding the lack of access to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu by his legal team, who hereby are granted the requisite access to their client,” the statement added.

It also commended the DSS leadership in its handling of the medical needs of Kanu, saying “Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is keeping well and looks strong.

“Hon Aguocha appreciates the commendable efforts of the new leadership of the DSS in ensuring that Nnamdi Kanu’s healthcare needs are met, including the approval of his request for access and attention to private medical care and to a doctor of his choice, to which Hon Obi Aguocha is pleased to confirm that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has received private medical attention as recently as October 3, 2024.

“Hon Aguocha deeply appreciates the uncommon and courageous effort of the Honourable Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives for his quick intervention, which has facilitated these positive outcomes.”

According to the statement, “It should be noted that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s fundamental human rights as guaranteed under the 1999 Nigerian constitution as amended and other relevant instruments of the United Nations should be upheld.

“Hon Obi Aguocha remains optimistic that in the end, a political solution will be achieved, leading to the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and also for the peace and stability of the South-East.”