INTERVIEW GRANTED BY IFEANYI EJIOFOR, COUNSEL TO NNAMDI KANU, 5TH APRIL, 2016, TO BIAFRA WRITERS CORRESPONDENTS

BIAFRA WRITERS: Good afternoon Sir, I am Chukwuemeka Chimerue, from Biafra Writers. Sir we want to ask you first, what was really the outcome of today’s court session?

EJIOFOR: Actually the matter came up today for the hearing of our application. For the stay of proceedings in this court pending the resolution of our application at the Court of Appeal. And the application was heard and adjourned to the 26th of April for ruling. And the court has addressed the issues we raised before the court on the reason why the court should stay this case and the  issues we raised at the court of appeal are constitutional issues that borders on the rights of the accused person, which the court cannot proceed upon without the court of appeal being heard first determine upon it.

BIAFRA WRITERS: Ok Sir. So the application, when will it be determined upon?

EJIOFOR: On the 26th of April. Remember we are going to the court of Appeal on the 25th of April for the hearing on the appeal on denial of bail. Then thereafter, we come back to the court on the 26th for the ruling on the application.

BIAFRA WRITERS: Was it only an application on the denial of bail …?

EJIOFOR: We have three appeals pending at the Court of Appeal. One on denial of bail. That one has been entered. The second is the issue of Passport they denied…the issue of British passport and Nigeria passport and the money. Then, too, is against the order of this court, where this court varied its order., So we have three appeals pending at the court of appeal. But the one coming up on the 25th of April, 2016 is the one on denial of bail to the defendant.

BIAFRA WRITERS: During the court proceedings, I overhead Barrister Chuks Muoma saying the 20 minutes allowed for his speech was not allowed, what really was the problem…?

EJIOFOR: Its open to the whole world that the judge is biased, the one is no longer in contest, because , the right on adumbration  is a constitutional law provided under our procedural law and you overheard the lawyer reading that to the court. And it’s a mandatory right. By stopping him from adumbrating with the argument in the court means impeding on the defense counsel’s rights as governed by the rules of the court.

BIAFRA WRITERS: Sir we learnt that Nnamdi Kanu’s case was reported to the ECOWAS Court, what do you have to say about that?

EJIOFOR: You know when you file an application or a complaint before the ECOWAS court, the defendant is given up to 30 days to respond. But up till now, they have not responded to the application. And we have approached them for a date for the hearing. Which means within the week, they will communicate us on the date for the hearing of our application of our case before the ECOWAS court.

BIAFRA WRITERS: You recently wrote a letter, on the 21st of march, 2016 to the UK, can you throw more light on that Sir?

EJIOFOR: Em, speculations has gone round the whole places that Nnamdi Kanu is begging the UK government to intervene in his matter, no, no,  that wasn’t the essence  of the letter. We are merely reminding the British authority on their constitutional right, on the rights of Nnamdi Kanu as a citizen of UK, covered under the UK laws and conventions, ….so they will live up to that expectation. That’s all we are not begging them.

BIAFRA WRITERS: So what was their reply regarding that?

EJIOFOR:We are still waiting for their formal communication to us. They are supposed to do a letter to us in that regard. Already before now, I have communicated with them on the phone, they have called me on the phone to say they are looking into the matter, that they are also involved in that matter. They are getting involved in the matter.

BIAFRA WRITERS: Sir, do you actually believe Nnamdi Kanu begged the British for his release?

EJIOFOR: The letter speaks for itself. We never begged the British authority to get involved in the matter. As I earlier said we are reminding them of the constitutional right of Nnamdi Kanu as a British citizen, because he is a British citizen too. He has right, as provided under the laws and conventions. And that right must be protected. He has privileges. We are calling them to get involved. We are just reminding them. We were not begging them. And especially, on the face of obvious manipulations and maneuverings going on in this court, there is the reason for the international community to get involved and also know what is happening, because what is happening in the court is obvious to the whole world and the judge himself is biased.



BIAFRA WRITERS: So what is going to happen if the Federal high court delivers a different judgement from that of the ecowas court

EJIOFOR: The matter before The ECOWAS court is different from that matter before the high court. We will approach the ECOWAS court on the gross violation of Nnamdi Kanu’s constitutional rights as contained in the Nigeria constitution also under the African charter on People and Human Rights and International conventions which Nigeria is signatory to. To approach them and complain on the gross violation of that human right and also seek compensation to that effect.

BIAFRA WRITERS: Sir, what do you have to tell people of Biafra all over the world who are who are earnestly following and awaiting the outcome of the legal battle between Nigeria and Nnamd Kanu?

EJIOFOR: It is obvious to the entire world and Biafrans in particular that Nnamdi Kanu is being persecuted. And we believe in justice. We don’t believe in side talks. And we must get to the root of it. Based on the available facts before the court, not based on somebody’s opinion or speculations or mindset of anybody. The matter will be adjudged based on the facts and evidence and documents before the court. So am urging them to remain calm pending the determination of the entire process.

BIAFRA WRITERS: You have constantly hammered on the court being unfair to your client, what does your legal team want the court and the federal Republic of Nigeria to do concerning this right now?

EJIOFOR:Well in that regard, we have already filed an appeal the ruling of the court before the court of appeal. Part of our reliefs at the court of appeal is to direct the Federal High court to transfer the matter to another court. You may not believe that the ruling delivered by this court since the 9th of February, 19th of February and 7th of March has not been made available to us. And that ruling is affecting our compilation of our presentation at the court of appeal. Just like what happened today at the court….. Up till now the ruling has not been made available to us.

BIAFRA WRITERS:And why was  that so?

EJIOFOR:It’s for a reason best known to him. Constitutionally, the accused person is entitled only 7days to have the copy of the ruling by the court he is complaining on.

BIAFRA WRITERS: So if the judge goes against the rule, the order of the court, what is going to be your next line of action. Since he has not made the ruling of the court available to you, how are you going to appeal for it?

EJIOFOR: NO! He has no option than to make the ruling available to us. Its part of our complaint before the court of appeal. He must make the ruling available to us, he delivered the ruling in the open court, he must make the ruling available to us, its our constitutional right. He can’t deny us such right.

BIAFRA WRITERS: Thanks Sir for your time. That will be all.

Transcribed By Ikechukwu Nwaorisa
Correspondents: Ucheagu Chukwuemeka Chimerue
                            and Anyikwa Kelechi Cynthia
FOR  BIAFRA  WRITERS