The detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu has distanced himself from the October 4 Sit-at-home order issued by some of his supporters to back up their demands for his unconditional release.
Kanu said he neither directed, approved nor authorised anyone to declare a sit-at-home on October 4 when a Federal High Court in Umuahia, Abia State would give ruling in a fundamental human right enforcement suit he instituted against the Federal Government.
Kanu in a statement released on Saturday by IPOB lawyer, Mr Ifeanyi Ejiofor, on his behalf asked the people of Abia State and the entire people of South East geo-political zone to go about there individual lawful activities.
This is the first time the detained IPOB leader will publicly disown the sit-at-home order in the South East, said to have adversely affected commercial activities of the area.
The statement made it clear that the detained Biafra nation agitator would not even attend court on the date for the delivery of ruling in the suit.
The statement read in part “For the purpose of clarification, the fundamental rights Suit, filed on behalf of Kanu at the Federal High Court Umuahia, Abia State, is scheduled for ruling on jurisdictional issues raised suo motu by the Court, on the 4th day of October, 2022.
“Let the members of the general public be properly informed and appropriately guided, that we have the firm instruction of Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, to inform the public, lovers of freedom, that Nnamdi Kanu will not be coming to Court on the 4th day of October, 2022.
“As such, Onyendu neither directed, approved nor authorized anyone to declare a sit-at-home on that date.
“Members of the general public are advised to go about their normal business activities on this said date.
“This clarification has become compelling and necessary, in view of the avalanche of misleading information on the social media, and plethora of calls I have received from concerned UmuChineke to this effect.
“We have assured UmuChineke that we shall inform you any time Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is scheduled to appear in Court.
I”t is to be noted too, that Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has several suits pending against the Federal Government of Nigeria, her agencies and officials, in various courts across the Country.
“For instance, the main suit challenging the extraordinary rendition of Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, filed before the Federal High Court Abuja, against the Federal Republic of Nigeria & Anor, in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/462/2022, and the Suit challenging the constitutionality or otherwise of the 2022 Practice Direction on the trial of terrorism offences, filed against the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court & Anor, in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/550/2022, are equally coming up for hearing next week, before Hon. Justice Ekwo of Court No. 5, Federal High Court Abuja.
“However, note that Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, still neither approved nor authorised that on the said dates, the members of the general public be directed to sit at home.
“Please let us be properly and adequately guided. This should be a period for serious circumspection and focus, we should not allow those who have no interest of the present fate of Onyendu to derail us.
“Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi KANU is passing through his present ordeal because of his earnest desire to emancipate his people from any form of suffering or oppression, there is therefore, no way he will support anything that will bring more hardship on the same people he is suffering for.”