The Federal Government has said Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s move to raise a team of lawyers to monitor proceedings at the trial of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu is legitimate.
The Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami who said this on Monday, added that the Federal Government is not averse to the proposal by the pan-Igbo group.
Malami, in a statement by his media aide Dr. Umar Gwandu, commended Ohanaeze’s disposition to the Kanu’s case and his agitation for secession.
On Sunday, the pan-Igbo socio-political organisation demanded a fair trial of the IPOB leader.
The statement by Malami’s aide reads: “Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, has welcomed the formation of legal team by Ohanaeze Ndigbo to monitor the proceedings at the trial of the self-acclaimed IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu which is in line with the doctrine of the right of fair hearing rooted in Section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
“Inherent in the position of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo on the matter was the demonstration of their recognition of belonging to Nigeria and succumbing to the rule of law while maintaining their stance that they were not averse to the trial of Nnamdi Kanu.
“Let it be made abundantly clear that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government respects the rule of law and does not advocate for the breach of law.
“Hence, with or without the so-called monitoring group, justice will be adequately served to Nnamdi Kanu in compliance with the enshrined provisions of the law.
“It is hoped that the unnecessary legal monitoring group will come with open-mind and guided by nothing but the rule of law in the process so as to convey the judgment of the court as may eventually be delivered to their people in various languages and dialects of the members of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo communities and the entire Nigerians.”
