Nnamdi Kanu Appeals Criminal Charges, Alleges Denial of Fair Trial

Detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has lodged an appeal at the Appeal Court challenging the criminal charges levied against him by the Nigerian government. Kanu, represented by his legal team led by Aloy Ejimakor, contested the ruling of Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja regarding the charges against him.

In the notice of appeal, Kanu’s legal team argued that the lower court violated his constitutional right to a fair trial. They claimed that the Department of State Services (DSS) failed to provide adequate facilities for Kanu to prepare his defense, thus undermining his right to counsel and resulting in a miscarriage of justice.

The appeal, filed under charge No: FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015, stated, “The Learned Trial Court erred in law when the Court assumed jurisdiction to proceed with the hearing of the criminal trial against the Appellant when the Appellant is glaringly denied the constitutional right to a fair trial.”

Kanu’s legal team accused the trial judge of refusing to make necessary orders to protect Kanu’s rights. They argued that the denial of adequate facilities to prepare a defense and the right to counsel infringed upon Kanu’s rights as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.

The legal team also criticized Justice Nyako for ordering an accelerated hearing of the case despite the DSS’s consistent refusal to provide Kanu with the necessary facilities for his defense. They argued that an accelerated hearing should not be granted when a defendant is denied the right to prepare adequately.

In a notice of preliminary objection, Kanu’s legal team called for the case to be halted unless the DSS ceases its unconstitutional acts of seizing and photocopying confidential legal documents meant for Kanu’s defense. They further accused Justice Nyako of facilitating a miscarriage of justice in favor of the respondent.

Kanu’s appeal highlights the importance of upholding constitutional rights and fair trial procedures in legal proceedings.

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