Fred Nzeako: Nnamdi Kanu’s Conviction A Travesty Of Justice, Judge Overreached His Powers

Constitutional lawyer and public affairs analyst, Fred Nzeako, has declared that the conviction of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, amounts to ‘a travesty of justice’, insisting that the presiding judge acted outside the law and that the entire procedure was fundamentally defective.

Speaking in an interview with ARISE News on Sunday, Nzeako said the key question before Nigerians was not whether Kanu defended himself or dismissed his legal team, but whether justice was served at all.

“What now bothers many Nigerians was what happened on November 20th, the day he was convicted and eventually sentenced,”he said.

Whether the court followed the law, or whether the court followed the personal opinion of the jurist, or whether the court, in some people’s opinion, acted on a script to ensure that Nnamdi Kanu is taken off the streets. Whether Nnamdi Kanu defended himself or not, what to many people is more critical and more important is the attitude of the judge and the justice of the matter.”

He argued that the requirements of criminal adjudication were not met.

Don’t forget that in criminal adjudication, one can only be convicted when there is preponderance of evidence and when the prosecution is able to prove the case beyond all reasonable doubt,” he said.

On the worsening insecurity and US interest under a possible Trump return, Nzeako was scathing.

“Res ipsa loquitur — the action speaks for itself,”he said.

“It is visible that even the blind can see that the government is not doing enough. Government is majoring in the minor. Instead of tackling insecurity, they are spending time and resources placating America, which has said it is ready to come to our rescue.”

He argued there was nothing wrong with accepting US assistance.

“Is there anything wrong with allowing America to remove that cancer troubling Nigeria since 2009?” he asked.

“America has never said they want a regime change. They have never said they want our resources — resources stolen by other nationals in collaboration with the Nigerian elite.”

He pointed to the week’s security incidents:

“In one week, over 300 students were kidnapped in Niger State — the highest ever. A litany of kidnappings and killings. If government was doing enough, we wouldn’t be here today.”

He concluded with a warning:

“Politics is subservient to good governance. Once you play politics above good governance, your house will begin to leak. And that is why the Nigerian house is leaking today.”

Boluwatife Enome