“Pay Nnamdi Kanu N1bn Damages Now,” HURIWA Tells FG
Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, a civil rights advocacy group, demanded on Wednesday that the Federal Government apologize to Nnamdi Kanu and pay him the N1 billion damages ordered to him by an Abia State High Court.
Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA’s National Coordinator, stated this in a statement headed, ‘Pay Mazi Nnamdi Kanu N1 Billion, Apologize Now, HURIWA Tells President Buhari.’
According to the PUNCH, the court ordered the Federal Government to pay the embattled leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra N1 billion and write him a letter of apology.
Kanu had gone to court demanding N5 billion for the military’s assault of his father’s residence on September 10, 2017.
Kanu’s fundamental rights were breached by the Federal Government’s invasion of his father’s home, according to Justice Benson Anya. The judge also suggested that Kanu’s arrest and agitation be resolved through a political settlement.
Reacting, HURIWA said it “strongly endorses the decision of the Hon judge of the Abia State High Court in Umuahia which today directed the Federal Government to pay a sum of N1bn to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu”.
“HURIWA supports the order for Government to tender an apology to Nnamdi Kanu. The matter was about the invasion but we do think that the landmark judgment suffices for the illegal abduction that the Nigerian government subjected him to in Kenya,” the group added.
The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) had during an interview on January 5, 2022, said he won’t interfere in the independence of the judiciary.
“Nigerians know that I don’t interfere with the judiciary, let him be listened to. But those who are saying that he should be released, no, we cannot release him (Kanu),” the President had said.
Kanu appeared in court on Wednesday and pleaded not guilty to the 15 charges bordering on treasonable felony and terrorism, preferred against him by the Federal Government.
Justice Nyako subsequently adjourned the trial of Kanu till February 16, 2022.
