From Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri
Again, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has kicked against Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court leading the trial of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
Spokesperson of the group, Emma Powerful, in a statement released to newsmen at the weekend alleged that the judge is under pressure from powers in high places to force her to rule against her conscience.
Powerful, therefore, advised the trial judge to hands off the case to avoid giving an impartial judgment.
His statement reads in part: “Binta Nyako must understand that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu belongs to every South Easterner and they don’t want to see anything ugly happen to him.
“The calamity that will befall the country will be better imagined. Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Binta Nyako must save their country by releasing Mazi Nnamdi Okwu Kanu.
“We urge all Western countries and human right organisations like Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Inter Society Organisation and other reputable human rights organisations to prevail on the Federal Government of Nigeria headed by Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and Binta Nyako, the high court justice, to save their judicial system in Nigeria.
“The Buhari government and the former Attorney General, Abubakar Malami used Justice Binta Nyako to keep Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s case ongoing perpetually.
“Justice Binta Nyako is under gunpoint to either jail Mazi Nnamdi Okwu Kanu or her husband and son will be jailed by EFCC. Justice Binta Nyako is at a crossroads as to jail an innocent man or allow her husband and son to go to jail.
“Justice Binta Nyako is human and will certainly do anything to save her husband and son from serving a prolonged jail sentence.
IPOB understands the precarious situation Justice Binta Nyako has found herself in. That is why we demand that she steps down from Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s case.
“IPOB is calling Binta Nyako to step down from Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s case. She should avoid plunging Nigeria into an unimaginable crisis.
“Justice Binta Nyako is not the only High Court judge in Nigeria. But she is the preferred judge to Nigeria. Justice Binta Nyako’s hands are tied and cannot deliver justice for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB.”