Indication emerged Monday that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), being held in detention in Abuja, may get fair trial when it begins on July 26.

This indication came on the heel of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, meeting with the legal team for Kanu, led by Ohanaeze Ndigbo to monitor the proceeding at the trial, on Monday in Abuja.

News Express gathered that his trial will be guided but with an open mind, adhering to rule of law in the process, “so as to convey the judgment of the Court as may eventually be delivered to their people in various languages and dialects of the members of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo communities and the entire Nigerians”.

The objective of the Ohanaeze Monitoring Group is to ensure compliance with the doctrine of the right to fair hearing as enshrined in Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as Amended).

Speaking during the meeting Malami commended Ohanaeze for the step taken restated Federal Government’s respect for rule of law.

Malami declared: “Let it be made abundantly clear that President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government respects the rule of law and does not advocate for the breach of law”. He stressed: “with or without the so-called monitoring group, justice will be adequately served to Nnamdi Kanu in compliances with the enshrined provisions of the law.”

Malami noted that the position of Ohanaeze Ndigbo on the matter was a demonstration of their recognition of belonging to Nigeria and succumbing to the rule of law while maintaining their stance that they were not averse to the trial of Nnamdi Kanu.

While commending Ohanaeze for their position the Minister of Justice quoted the Igbo socio-cultural apex body saying Ohanaeze “do not support the use of any form of violence” while channeling concerns and presenting demands, Malami added “By urging the youths to be law-abiding and sheath their sword as well as asking them to try to obtain voter’s card to enable them contribute to national development, the position of Ohanaeze becomes glaringly constitutional and commendable.”

Update news