The Onitsha branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has expressed its anticipation for the rule of law to prevail in the upcoming resolution of the treasonable charge against Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
This announcement precedes the anticipated Supreme Court ruling on December 15 regarding the Federal Government’s appeal against the Court of Appeal’s decision. The Court of Appeal had previously cleared and freed Kanu from all charges of treasonable felony, ordering his immediate release.
Chairman of the branch, Dickson Uba, who stated this yesterday at their annual 2023 Law Week, with a theme: “Ensuring the rule of law in a flawed judicial and political environment,” declared: “We are expecting the rule of law to be upheld. A situation where both the High Court and Appeal Court ordered his release and it was disobeyed does not augur well for the advancement of the rule of law in a judicial and political environment.”
Regarding the recent appointment of 11 additional Supreme Court justices, Uba commended it as a positive move. He expressed particular satisfaction that three slots were allocated to Ndigbo out of the 11 newly appointed Supreme Court judges this time.
Closing the event, Justice Ifeanyi Nweze, the Administrative Judge of Onitsha Judicial Division, emphasized the need for a willingness to sacrifice for the future generations. He highlighted corruption and disobedience to the rule of law as major obstacles to progress, urging all sectors to awaken from complacency.
During their respective speeches, Justice Alexander Okumah of the Ogbaru Judicial Division, Justice D. A. Onyefulu, and Justice Onyinye Anumonye called on the NBA to assert itself as a formidable pressure group advocating for a society that upholds the rule of law.
The four-day event, commencing with the opening ceremony, will feature various activities, including a dinner, visits to sick and elderly colleagues on Saturday, and a thanksgiving service on Sunday.