…Decries multiple adjournments

From Jeff Amechi Agbodo, Onitsha

THE Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has expressed their disappointment with the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice (ECCJ), alleging that it lacks the courage and impartial mindset needed to deliver justice promptly in the case instituted by Mr. Nnamdi Kanu.

  The group said that the ECCJ has failed to live up to expectations, adding that it does not expect justice from the court given numerous adjournments of the case.

  In a statement by its spokespersons, Mr. Emma Nmezu and Dr. Clifford Iroanya, IPOB expressed disappointment over the multiple adjournment of the case.

  The statement read in part: “IPOB is appalled that the ECCJ has reneged on its roles and responsibilities. We assert that there is absolutely no reason for the ECCJ to dilly-dally in making a ruling expeditiously in the case of violation of fundamental human rights instituted against Nigeria since March 2016.

  “Recall that on March 2, 2016, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu filed a lawsuit at the ECCJ against the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the issue of violation of his fundamental human rights and sought enforcement of same rights as well as compensations from the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

  “At the October sitting of the ECCJ, the case was adjourned to November 8, 2016. When the case came up on November 8, the presiding judge, Micha Wright, again adjourned it to February 9, 2017 for ruling. On January 17, 2017, and without waiting for the February 9, 2017 date, the ECCJ again adjourned the date of the ruling to March 7, 2017, with a caveat that even the March date is subject to further adjournments.”

  IPOB added: “We ask the ECCJ the following questions: Why will it take more than one year to hear and deliver judgment on a simple case of violation of fundamental human rights? Why the multiple adjournment at the stage of delivering judgment?”

  “How come the cases of Sambo Dasuki and Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky which bothered on the same fundamental human rights violation were started and concluded within six months? Is it because Nnamdi Kanu is a Christian or is it because he is from Biafraland and not from the northern part of Nigeria?”

IPOB further noted that “the ambivalence and the seemingly compromised attitude of the ECCJ is one of the factors propelling Biafrans to seek the restoration of the nation of Biafra. In Biafra, we will show the world that we do not settle for dismal and cowardly performance when it comes to the dispassionate and timely dispensation of justice.”