Violence will cease in South East once I’m released-Nnamdi Kanu

Detained leader of the proscribed separatist group, the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra  (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu has pledged to work to stop the current spate of violence in the South East once he regains freedom.

Kanu, who was denied bail on Tuesday by a Federal High Court in Abuja, spoke shortly after the court’s proceedings.

The IPOB leaders said: “Anybody committing crime cannot go free. I swear it. Anybody committing crime in the East cannot go free. 

“They are doing it because I am in the DSS ( custody). If I were to be outside, nobody can try this. I suspect that some people in government are complicit. They are making money with the insecurity. 

“They know if Nnamdi Kanu is outside, in two minutes this nonsense will stop. Who is the bagger or idiot that will speak when I am talking?

“That, I will give an order in the East, who is the idiot that will counter it? Nobody can. I am Nnmadi Kanu. Rubbish!

“Anybody involved in any form of violence in the East in the name of IPOB is a goner and they know it. Let me come out of this mess, only two minutes, there will be peace in the East,” he said.

During the proceedings, Justice Binta Nyako gave a ruling, dismissing the fresh bail application brought by Kanu.

Justice Nyako held that the court cannot grant Kanu bail on the fresh application having rejected an earlier on.

Justice Nyako was of the view that the only option opened to Kanu was for him to appeal the earlier decision of the court, refusing him bail.

The judge also rejected Kanu’s request to be allowed unfettered access to anybody who wishes to visit him in custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) where he is being held.

She said if Kanu was uncomfortable with the conditions attached to visitation by his lawyers, he could apply for a variation rather than filing a fresh application.

The judge also rejected an oral application by Kanu’s lawyer, Alloy Ejimakor that the defendant be moved out of the custody of the DSS to Kuje prison.

Justice Nyako said the court had ruled on a similar request before now and rejected it. She advised the defendant to explore the option of appeal.

Ejimakor claimed that DSS operatives were infringing on his client’s fundamental rights by interfering with his conversations with his lawyers and family members.

He said such a situation makes it difficult for the defendant to prepare for his defense.

Justice Nyako also rejected another request by the defendant that he should be placed under house arrest in any part of Abuja.

His lawyer had, while making the application, claimed that Kanu was tired of being in DSS’ custody for reasons, which include that his health challenges were not being properly managed.

In refusing the request, Justice Nyako said Kanu would be well secured in the custody of DSS, but that if he feels strong about being restricted to a property in Abuja, he should file a formal application to that effect.

The judge then adjourned till April17 for trial.