Politics

…as Kanu lawyers threaten to drag Justice Nyako, FG official to ICC over unfair trial

AFTER shutting out lawyers to Nnamdi Kanu, including American Bruce Fein, and the hoopla that followed, the Nigerian government has said that it will consider political approach to resolving the crisis.

Realnews reports that the ray of hope for a political solution to the Kanu issue was given on Wednesday  when Kanu’s trial was to begin, but some of lawyers, who appeared in court after awhile stepped out to endure that some of them were not allowed inside the courtroom and the premises by the operatives of the Department of State services did so. 

Shortly, after the trial judge entered the courtroom, and operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS, who had prevented the lawyers of Kanu from entering the court shut the door of the court while Kanu’s lawyers were outside.

The court was later told that the lawyers staged a walk out while the trial judge Justice Binta Nyako adjourned hearing to January 19, 2022. 

On hearing that the case had been adjourned without Kanu being represented by his lawyers, who granted a press interview describing what transpired as a travesty of justice. 

Realnews reports that it was not only Kanu’s lawyers that we’re prevented from accessing the courtroom and premises. Igbo lawyers who mobilised to be at the court in defence of Kanu were prevented. Also, the delegation appointed by the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide led by Chukwuemeka Ezeife, former governor of Anambra State and Goddy Uwazuruike, a lawyer among those prevented for a third time from entering the court premises.

Angry, all the lawyers granted different interviews, threatening fire and brimstone. American Bruce Feinnthreatened to drag all including the Nigerian government officials and the trial court judge to the International Court of Criminal Justice for not allowing fair trial of his client.

Sequel to this hoopla, the Federal Government also Wednesday hinted that it could consider all kinds of solutions, including political ones, in order to resolve the crisis surrounding separatist agitations in Nigeria.

Abubakar Malami, SAN, attorney general of the Federation and Minister of Justice, told journalists in Abuja while speaking on the pardon granted to Boko Haram insurgents, that political solutions could be applied in the case of leaders of other separatist movements are facing prosecution.

During the interview, Malami also talked about the current controversy between the Federal Government and the Nigerian Governors Forum over the Paris Club Refund, international arbitration involving Nigeria and Process and Industrial Development Company and Sunrise Power Transmission Company of Nigeria Limited and the Mambila Power Projects.

According to him, “As far as the security situation is concerned and as far as governance and this administration is concerned, you cannot rule out all possibilities. But then, there has to be an approach for government to consider,” he said.

But he added that he cannot be pre-emptive at this stage by stating clearly that reconciliation was being considered without an approach being made.

“We will look into it (approach) for the purpose of looking at its weight, the authenticity of it, the good faith associated with it and then bring about the considerable factors relating to the negotiations or otherwise.

“So, it is not a conclusion that one can outrightly make without juxtaposing associated facts relating to the reconciliation; there has to be an approach and then a counter consideration,” he said.

On the payment of $418 million consultancy fees to contractors who allegedly helped the 36 state governments to recover excess deductions from the Federation Account during the payment of the Paris Club loans, Malami berated the governors for “approbating and reprobating at the same time.”

Stating that governors cannot come to deny liability in 2021, having consented to it and made several payments, Malami said the Federal Government was obligated to obey court orders, adding that the current litigation by governors over the payment of consultancy services fees was belated.

 “I have told you earlier that the judgment in contention was a 2013 judgment and it was a consent judgment in which ALGON and governors forum consented to a judgment.

“So what judgment are you talking about in 2021 against the background of the fact that they consented to the judgment in 2013, against the background of the fact they have been effecting payment as far back as 2013, against the background of the fact that they have written in there right, under their respective hands, committing to the payment of this consultancy fee we are talking about?

“So, I think it is logical for all to see that they were indeed, submissive and they were indeed in agreement, and they have indeed conceded and consented to a judgment that created the liability they are now complaining about.

“They have probated at a point in 2013 by way of submitting to judgment and then effecting payment over time. And in fact, among the claims relating to Paris Club that has been presented before the Federal Government over time is a component relating to consultancy fees.

“So, what they are doing is as good as approbating and reprobating at the same time conceding in 2013, and objecting 2021”.

He denied any relationship with the contractors or having any personal interest, saying his duty was to protect the Federal Government from unnecessary liabilities.

He said that since the Federal Government was made a party to the suit, there is the possibility that the assets of the Federal Government can be seized to pay the debt.

 “So as far as the payment is concerned, the Office of the Attorney-General is not in any way involved. But the fact remains that judgments are meant to be enforced and then you are not expected to be speculative as far as the enforcement are concerned.”

– Nov 11, 2021 @ 8:33 GMT /

A.I

Tags: Nnamdi Kanu