By Suleiman Anyalewechi
Embattled Leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, in Court, on Friday, did what not many people would expect him to do. What he did was a direct opposite of him since his prosecution by the Federal Government for alleged offences bordering on sundry issues began, especially, during his last outing in Court.
He apologised in the open Court for his behaviour during his last appearance before the then trial Judge, the Honour Justice Binta Nyako. Angry because Nyako was still in Court for his case after she had recused herself, Kanu, literally, threw caution to the wind and said quite some very unpleasant things in Court about Justice Nyako, the Government Lawyer, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, whose wife, Funmi, is, also, a SAN, and the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, the Honourable Justice John Tsoho. He also talked down on his legal team led by Ejimakor. It was like armageddon.
But in Court on Friday, with a new Lead Counsel, the calm and urbane Kanu Agabi, SAN a former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, and before a new trial Judge, Honourable Justice James Omotosho, Mazi Kanu, in an emotion-laden written speech, sought for forgiveness over his outburst and misconduct. He promised to be of good behaviour all through the trial which has began afresh.
Not a few people are now wondering if Kanu’s apology was as a result of Agabi’s advice, and wonder if he would have towed this line if any of his former lead Counsels was still in charge. Agabi is the number four lead Counsel Kanu would have. The other three, relieved of the role were: Ifeanyi Ejiofor, Prof. Mike Ozekhome, SAN, and his long time special Counsel, Anerican-trained Ejimakor.
Presenting Kanu’s apology in Court, Agabi said he had his Client’s permission to do so before the Court hearing, proper.
Kanu, through Agabi in a prepared speech pleaded, passionately, for forgiveness from Nyako, Awomolo, the Federal High Court, and his former legal team.
Agabi : “In expressing his anger, he attacked the Federal High Court, he attacked Justice Binta Nyako, he attacked the prosecutor, and he attacked his own lawyers.
“I hereby apologise to Justice Binta Nyako. She did not deserve the unjust attack. I apologise to Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN. He deserves the highest respect. He was castigated without reservations.
“I appeal for forgiveness. Kanu is a good man, but all of us cannot be of one mind. He is not perfect but is defending the cause of the Igbo people, who are resilient, fearless, and use their God-given talents to give a good account of themselves.
“We may have misgivings, but we must seek forgiveness. In resolving our differences, let us employ peace and not violence”.
Awomolo, SAN, in accepting the apology, said he was moved by the plea and has forgiven Kanu. He described himself as a persecutor not a prosecutor.
The case has been adjourned to April 29, May 2, and May 6, 2025.
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