Nnamdi Kanu Waging Propaganda Against S/Court, Security Agencies – CSOs
Some civil society organisations (CSOs) on Monday said they have uncovered plans by the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, to blackmail the Supreme Court, and security agencies
The Coalition for Peace In Nigeria (COPIN), and the Iconoclast Media, who made the claim in a joint statement, said the move to discredit the two critical institutions of government followed December 15 2023 judgement of the apex court, which upturned an order of the Court of Appeal dismissing charged of terrorism brought against Kanu by the Federal Government.
Apart from quashing the charges preferred against the IPOB leader, the appellate court also ordered his release from detention.
Barely a month after the development, the CSOs have alerted to plans to use some media platforms to draw sympathy, and paint the system as being unfair to him.
In the statement signed by the National Coordinator of COPIN, Pharm Emeka Akwuobi, and the National Secretary of the Iconoclast, Dr. Mayago Mayago, the groups alleged that Kanu intends to present a narrative that he needs medical attention outside his detention facility.
The groups further gathered that the separatist leader has concluded plans to sustain his plea to be moved to a correctional facility, to enable him have unfettered access to visitors.
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The statement reads in full: “As patriotic, non-profit Civil society organisations (CSOs), our primary duty is to support the growth of democracy, while supporting the preservation and sanctity of our institutions. We also hold government accountable, where we observe gaps.
“The general public will recall that we had, a few weeks ago, commended the Supreme Court over its decision for Kanu to return to the Federal High Court in Abuja for continuation of the pending criminal charge.
“We hereby alert the good people of Nigeria to our intelligence report, which uncovered plans by Nnamdi Kanu to wage a “propaganda campaign” against our revered Supreme Court, and security agencies, with a view to tilting public opinion in his favour.
“We are aware that his medical team, which had examined him, were professional and thorough in their duty, and refused to be manipulated, or influenced by the IPOB leader.
“That informed reports that he had ordered the disbandment of both his legal and medical teams, to register his dissatisfaction.
“In the area of feeding, our investigations revealed that the federal government has continued to offer Kanu meals of his choice, as he is allowed to make orders for preferred food.
“Overall, what Kanu hopes to achieve with his new plan, is to approach the trial court, whenever it resumes hearing, with the same prayers of seeking medical attention outside the facility, and for his transfer to a correctional centre.
“He wants to have unfettered access to visitors, and we say this is dangerous, considering the nature of his case, and the attacks that had been carried out some prison facilities in the past, including Kuje custodial centre.
“We, therefore, enjoin Nigerians to disregard the planned media propaganda, and see it as it is: pure blackmail, and nothing more”.
