The abduction and extraordinary rendition of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Movement, and the legal tussle for the past approximately three years, have posed serious questions about sincerity in/of the Nigeria's legal system and the ordained responsibility to administer justice without fear or favor.
[The legal capacity of a nation is a crucial element in upholding justice and ensuring fair treatment for all supposed citizens. In the case of Nnamdi Kanu, and his extraordinary rendition from Kenya to Nigeria, which was a clear violation of not only his rights, but also the Nigerian law, constitution as well as international law - the United Nations charters and treaties which the Nigerian state is signatory to.
The lack of transparency in the proceedings and resolution of the supreme court on the case challenges the principles of justice and outrightly undermines the credibility of Nigeria's legal system on the International and local stage, given the fact that the Supreme Court of Nigeria after all informed gestures, in its wisdom and capacity and explicit stipulations in the Nigerian constitution went ahead on 15th December, 2023, to opine what is in essence a travesty of justice - by justifying and greenlighting the continuous detention, trial and incarceration of the IPOB Leader - even though the supreme court had agreed that the Extraordinary Rendition was a crime locally and Internationally, and on which the Appellate Court, a year ago anchored its resolution upon and ordered his discharge and acquittal.
The global community closely observes cases of the extraordinary rendition of the IPOB Leader, his fundamental human rights violations as well as the level of disdain and contemptuousness of the Nigerian government for its law, constitution and also International law.
The Nigeria's legal system also now faces scrutiny, as questions arise about its to uphold the, expected rigidity against nefarious influence and the commitment to upholding the law, local and international. The plethora of justification of gross illegalities not only with the case of Kanu, but also with the fiasco of the disputed 2023 Nigerian presidential election and the blatant, corrupt culpability of the Nigerian judiciary raises concerns about trust and competitiveness in the Nigerian judicial system not only the agitators (IPOB), foreigners investors who are leaving the Nigerian economic landscape in droves, but also the average common man on the streets.
The extraordinary rendition of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and the ongoing persecution of the IPOB agitation by the state with the blessings of the judiciary, expose ignoble vulnerabilities in Nigeria's legal system, which are just too much to ignore or wave off.
For posterity and objectivity sake, To address these challenges, Nigeria has to consider legal and institutional reforms - although the likelihood of such is dim, given the ineptitude, arrogant ultranationalism and corruption that obtains in elite class that bedevils the enclave. Strengthen the legal system, enhancing transparency, and ensuring due process as essential steps towards rebuilding trust in the nation's governance and independence of the judiciary. This requires a commitment to upholding the rule of law, protecting citizens' rights, and fostering a legal environment conducive to justice and fairness.
And, even if Nigeria should start now in those overdue reforms. It would still be a little to late, given the level of damage and self-inflicted destruction it has brought on it self by its actions and inactions. There is no guarantee that those who the Nigerian state, system has gravely offended - who are no other than the people domiciled inside it, especially the East but not limited to, will ever have trust to wholeheartedly return or embrace Nigeria as their country.
However, this could undoubtedly be a plausible step towards righting the wrongs of the past century and could also facilitate mutual cooperation in various areas and works of live, even as partitioned and estranged different countries. And could halt further chaos or even a repetition of another civil war. The choice ultimately is in the hands of the Nigerian elites and their foriegn facilitators, the people of the East heralded by the IPOB movement, will find their self in the unfortunate position, to counter, respond and defend their selves, lives, culture, idealogy, region and Nation.
Written Chima O. Biafra
Edited By Enenienwite Ikechukwu
For Family Writers Press International
