By Temidayo Akinsuyi
Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, a former Minister of Works and Housing has urged the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to get a good lawyer and face his trial.
Kanu, who is facing a seven- count treasonable felony charge preffered against him by the federal government, last week, faulted his trial as illegal, arguing that that going by the provision of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, he could no longer be tried by any court in Nigeria.
However, speaking with TheScrutinyNG, Ogunlewe said Kanu’s legal team should avoid using delay tactics and allow the trial to proceed.
He also urged the IPOB leader to take a cue from Donald Trump, former US President who is currently on trial in New York.
“What is the problem? Let Nnamdi Kanu go through the trial. If he is not guilty, he will be released. He said no court in Nigeria can try him; that is his own view. Let the federal government start the trial. When the judge sees that there is no case there, they will do a no-case submission, and he will be released. Why are they afraid of trial and keep begging for his release?”.
“ If they had started the trial all this while, it would have been concluded by now. Instead of going through trial, they wanted to finish everything on technicalities. What is the big deal about trial? Can’t they see what former US President, Donald Trump is going through? Is Nnamdi Kanu bigger than Trump?”.
Ogunlewe said it is wrong for anyone to presume that Kanu will not get justice, adding that it is the court that will determine whether an accused is guilty or not.
“ As far as I am concerned, Kanu is the one delaying the trial through all these tactics and saying that no court in Nigeria can try him. Let the trial start. The prosecutor will present his evidence and Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer will present his own too. The judge will look at everything and if there is nothing there, they will throw it away and he will regain his freedom”.
“His lawyers are the ones causing the problem by trying to frustrate the trial on grounds of technicalities. How can they presume that he cannot get justice and he will be found guilty? Kanu should get a good defence lawyer who will present his case”.
“How many people have gone through treasonable felony case in Nigeria? Some have been released while others were jailed. Let Nnamdi Kanu go through the trial. Nothing will happen. If he is not guilty, he will be freed”.
