A new allegation has been made about how Nigerian security operatives have attached pro-Biafran activists in recent times.
Pro-Biafran activists
The legal team of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra,
IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, has accused security operatives of harassing and
killing some IPOB members who visited Kanu in Kuje prison, Daily Post
reports.
Recall that Kanu, alongside three others, Chidiebere Onwudiwe,
Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi, are currently facing trial for an
11-count charge bordering on terrorism, treasonable felony and
publication of defamatory matter.
Speaking during the resumed trial of Kanu at an Abuja Federal High
Court, one of his defence lawyers, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, told the court that
on several occasions members of IPOB and relatives of the defendants
have been harassed and arrested by security officials during visits to
Kuje prison.
According to Ejiofor, he “suspects that those arrested have been killed by the security operatives,” adding that “nine
persons were arrested after they came to visit, traced to their homes
in Abia, and credible information shows they are dead”.
Corroborating Ejiofor’s allegation, counsel to the third defendant,
Barrister Maxwell Opara said the security operatives have harassed him
personally despite being a lawyer.
According to Opara, “Many times, the DSS will ask you for your name, your thumb print, they even asked for my village address, a lawyer, my lord.
“My lord, this is just a criminal trial, all this unnecessary tension is uncalled for.
“You go to the prison to see your client by 9am and you will not see him until 12 noon.”
Reacting to the allegation, the trial judge, Binta Nyako said: “From day one I told you this is not a drama point, I don’t want drama.
“If you have a personal problem with security operatives, bring it formally and I will make a legal pronouncement on it.
“If they have been misbehaving in the prison when you go to see
your client, you let me know formally and I’ll will contact them
legally.
“But you have nothing formally on these allegations, I cannot
do it for you because if I do, I have taken a position on the matter.”
Earlier, Ejiofor called on the court to quash all 11 –count charges levelled against Kanu and the three others facing trial.
The lawyer who gave the call while querying the competence of all
charges against the suspects, argued that there was nothing in the proof
of evidence to support the treason charge against them.
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