Strictly adhere to rule of law on Kanu’s case, Abaribe tasks FG

By Benjamin Arida://

Ahead of the continued trial of the leader of proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe has cautioned the federal government to strictly adhere to the rule of law in handling his case.

Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, had on Tuesday announced that Kanu has been re-arrested and brought back to Nigeria from the United Kingdom to face his trial

The IPOB leader appeared before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja and was asked to be remanded in the custody of the Department of Security Service, DSS.

But Abaribe, in a statement issued yesterday in Abuja particularly advised the federal government to be guided by the provisions of Section 31 of the 1999 Constitution as amended and Article 4 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights as it detains and re-arraign Kanu in court for the continuation of his trial.

The Minority Leader, according to the statement, signed by his media adviser, Uchenna Awom added that relevant section and charter presupposes that the detainee should be humanely treated while in the custody of the state.

He said: “What it means is that it is the duty of the government in this instance to protect him and ensure the respect of his fundamental human rights while his trial lasts. For now, it is trite law, that he is presumed innocent until proven guilty.”

He, however, called for calm saying that the recent events present ample opportunity for dialogue and for the federal government to address the contending issues that seems to challenge the peace and unity of the country.