Government officials behind killings, violence in South-east, says Nnamdi Kanu 

Kunle Sanni, Abuja

The arrested leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu has distanced himself from the recent killings and violence in the South-East.

Kanu, who spoke to reporters shortly after Justice Binta Nyako of a Federal High Court in Abuja adjourned his trial to April 17, said the outfit he represents is not aggressive.

He vowed that those responsible for the violence that resulted in the wanton killings of their fellow brothers and sisters and the destruction of property while claiming to be IPOB members would not be spared.

Speaking, the IPOB leader stated that the violence continued because he was being held in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), and guaranteed that if he is released, there would be calm throughout the country’s South-East area.

According to the IPOB chief, “Anyone who commits a crime cannot go free. I swore. Anyone committing a crime in the South East cannot go free.

“They are doing it because I am in the DSS custody. If I were to be outside, nobody would try to suspect that some people in the government are complicit.

“They are making money with 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 I will give an order that will counter it?

“Nobody can. I am Nnamdi 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.

Earlier, Kanu and his lawyer, Alloy Ejimakor, requested that he be transferred to Kuje Correctional Centre after the court refused to allow him to bail.

They stated that granting the request would allow them to effectively prepare for their defence.

Ejimakor stated that Kanu’s lawyers were having problems consulting with him at the Department of State Service (DSS) facility where he is now detained.

He stated that they would be unable to proceed with the trial unless the jailed IPOB leader was removed from DSS custody.

He claimed that DSS officers often confiscate documents brought for Kanu by his lawyers.

He further said that security personnel generally prevent them from taking notes during visits and that they eavesdrop on Kanu’s discussions with lawyers on his case, among other things.

The lawyer then petitioned the court to send him to Kuje Correctional Centre so that they could have adequate time and facilities to defend him under Sections 36(6)(b) and (c) of the 1999 Constitution.

Kanu, who was allowed leave to speak in open court, also pleaded with the court to send him to the penitentiary institution.

He stated that, in addition to not being able to speak with his team of lawyers whenever they came, the DSS lacked a suitable medical facility.

However, Justice Nyako denied Kanu’s oral motion for transfer to Kuje Correctional Centre, citing a previous judgement refusing the request.

She stated that the only option for the defence was to dispute the order in the Court of Appeal.

Furthermore, the judge determined that the facility was insecure.

She stated that at least 15 terrorism suspects had previously escaped from the detention facility.

Kanu then requested that an order be issued placing him under home arrest rather than the DSS facility.

He claimed that his continued confinement in DSS custody did not bode well for him given his current health.

Justice Nyako adjourned the matter until April 17 for a hearing.