Former Imo State Governor, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha has lashed out at those he says are framing him with a purported letter to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice in which he allegedly advised the Minister to disregard the ruling of the Federal Court of Appeal which discharged the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and not release him from detention.
Last week, the Court of Appeal in Abuja discharged Kanu of the 15-count charge brought against him by the Federal Government on the ground that the originating court – the Federal High Court – lacks the jurisdiction to try him. The three-man panel ruled that Kanu’s rendition to Nigeria violated the protocol on extradition and the convention of the Organisation of African Unity.
The court held that the Federal Government failed to disclose the exact location Kanu was arrested, neither did the 15-count charge against him disclose the place, date, time, and nature of the alleged offenses before extraditing him.
Dismissing the purported letter to the AGF, the former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives insisted that Kanu’s continued detention is illegal.
He blamed the government of his home state of Imo for the allegation, saying that the Senator Hope Uzodinma administration is desperate to protect itself from the people. ”If anyone should be afraid of a free Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, it is Hope Uzodimma”, Ihedioha said.
Ihedioha’s statement reads: ”Since 14th January 2020 when the Supreme Court of Nigeria supplanted the electoral will of the good people of Imo State by removing me from office, I have maintained a studious silence, refusing to join issues with malcontents who orchestrated the judicial heist despite all the provocations.
”I consciously yielded to the maxim that silence is golden, so as not to inflame passion in our Dear State. But there comes a time when silence is no longer golden. That time is now. It appears that some people are not satisfied with their stolen mandate. They want to drag me out by an orchestrated campaign of lies. And those carrying out this campaign of calumny against my person are doing so at the behest of the same man who was imposed on Imo State.
”But I understand their dilemma.
”Having succeeded in their evil plot of removing me from office, they realized that the bigger battle was winning the hearts and minds of the people. And that is proving difficult. That they have failed to endear themselves to the good people of Imo State in the last 34 months is why they are now desperate. And also becoming dangerous. So dangerous that they are now working with political renegades across party lines.
”While in office, Emeka Ihedioha was their nightmare. But they have also realized to their utmost chagrin that even out of office, I have remained a bigger nemesis hence the unceasing campaign of calumny with the sole purpose of damaging my reputation and putting a wedge between me and Imolites. In doing this, there are no off-limits. They have forged documents, concocted voice messages, perjured and maximized the social media in throwing mud to see if anyone sticks.
”Two of such devious acts were a purported voice of me making threats and a letter, also purportedly written by me to the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, advising him not to honour the Appeal Court judgment that discharged and acquitted Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra so as not to imperil the 2023 elections.
”It is laughable and preposterous, knowing my background and predicament that I will be writing to the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation, asking him to continue to illegally hold on to Nnamdi Kanu even after a court of competent jurisdiction had discharged him. What benefits will such a letter confer on me in a matter of such public concern, sensitivity and volatility. How does that make sense?
”If anyone should be afraid of a free Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, it is Hope Uzodimma. The fact that he and fellow characters will concoct such a letter shows the level they are prepared to go in order to hang on to the power they acquired through dubious means. While Nigerians are aware that those who can forge polling results for manufactured votes can forge anything, I have decided not to keep silent again in the face of this criminal defamation of my character because as we inch closer to the 2023 elections, the evil machinations will intensify.
”I am not unduly worried, though, because our people know better. But we can no longer allow criminality to reign supreme. I therefore urge the security agencies to investigate those behind this blatant forgery and bring them to justice. Criminality should not be elevated to an art of governance. Imolites deserve better”.
