Hearing on the Motion for the stay of execution of the judgment of the Court of Appeal delivered on the 13th day of October, 2022, took place today.
It was indeed an superlative outing as our defence team eminently led by our Indefatigable Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, practically removed the legal carpet from the feet of Federal Government today. Arguments proffered in stiff opposition to their application for stay of execution was well marshalled out point by point by the erudite Silk.
By the end of the day’s proceedings, both the other lawyers in court and those in solidarity that visited, went home with the strong conviction that victory is again on our way.
The Federal Government’s application for stay of execution which is not only grossly incompetent but also a grave affront to the sanctity of the Orders of the Court of Appeal, which decision of the same court they are now seeking equitable remedy to be stayed by the same court.
Orders of the Court must be obeyed and it’s sanctity must be respected by the Federal Governmentof Nigeria. He who goes to equity must go with clean hands.
It’s trite and as rightly submitted by the Learned erudite Silk- Chief Ozekhome SAN, that there is no Res to be stayed in the present case and Orders of the court cannot be made to stay the constitutionally guaranteed rights of a citizen.
The only available option for the Federal Government in the circumstance of this case is to kindly obey the Order made by the Court of Appeal, and consequently allow ONYENDU Mazi Nnamdi KANU to go home as ordered by Court of Appeal.
I want to emphasize once again that the erudite judgment of the Court of Appeal on Onyendu’s case has gripped the Federal Government like an irreversible rigor mortis. It has held them in a vice-like grip. There is no chance of extrication whatsoever.
In conclusion, we are very certain of victory once again, because ChukwuOkike Abiama is always on the throne.
Ruling on the Argument canvassed today has been reserved to a date to be communicated to the parties.
However, we have in addition, filed an application for the enforcement of ONYENDU’s fundamental rights to liberty and freedom of movement, which are now being grossly violated by the Federal Government of Nigeria, for refusing to obey the order of the Court of Appeal which discharged ONYENDU since the 13th day of October, 2022.
As it stands today, there is no order of court sanctioning ONYENDU’s detention since the 13th day of October, 2022, he was freed. He is being illegally and unlawfully held in the custody of the State security Services since the 13th day of October, 2022.
We have now gone for our routine visit to ONYENDU and to also brief him on the outcome of today’s proceeding.
Be assured that it has already ended in praises UMUCHINEKE.
We will update you on the outcome of today's visit to ONYENDU upon conclusion of the visit in the next hour or thereabout.
Thank you all UMUCHINEKE and remain blessed.
Signed :
Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, Esq. (KSC)
IPOB’s Lead Counsel.
24th day of October 2022.