Justice Z.B. Abubakar of the Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered for the unconditional release of Mazi Solomon Onyegbule, one of the supporters of the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
The court also awarded N50 million as “compensatory and exemplary damages.”
The lawyer to Kanu and IPOB, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, said this in a statement he issued on Tuesday evening, accompanied by the Certified True Copy of the judgment.
He said, “While delivering judgment in suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/137/2022, we had filed on behalf of Solomon Onyegbule, the court directed the Inspector-General of Police to unconditionally release Mazi Onyegbule from their custody forthwith.
“The Court further awarded the sum of N50 million only in favour of Solomon Onyegbule as compensatory and exemplary damages.
“The court also ordered the Inspector General of Police tenders a public apology to Mazi Solomon in one national newspaper.
“We shall keep doing everything within our powers to ensure that Umuchineke unlawfully detained in various facilities of the security agencies across the country are released and compensated for their unlawful arrests and detentions.”
Ejiofor also gave an update on the visit to Kanu in the custody of the Department of State Services
He said, We visited Onyendu, being Monday, December 12, 2022, at the DSS Headquarters, Abuja, to provide him with relevant updates on pending actions on the appeal filed by the Federal Government of Nigeria at the Supreme Court, against the Judgment of the Court of Appeal, which discharged and prohibited further detention and/or trial/prosecution of Oyendu Nnamdi Kanu.
“We observed in the course of our briefing that apart from the fact that it is glaring even in layman’s view, that the Federal Government has practically abandoned the appeal by their deliberate refusal to file any court process in prosecuting the appeal, which they initiated against the judgment of the Court of Appeal, there is the need to let the world know, as directed by Onyendu, that those presently responsible for the delay in assigning a date for the speedy hearing of this appeal before the Apex Court are the same people/institution who are relentlessly funding the criminal activities of the soulless elements who are fully paid to destroy our sacred land.
“Otherwise, the expeditious hearing of this appeal will determine the release/freedom of Onyendu and will leave the criminal elements with no other option than to immediately vacate/desert our land. Onyendu encourages everyone, most particularly, Foreign Governments and institutions to prevail on the judiciary to assign a date for the hearing of his appeal. Onyendu did not rule out plausible pressure from those who have been decimated in their own court, but he is insisting that justice must be done and seen to be done in his case.
“Onyendu cited the instance where the Court was expeditious in granting an Order staying the execution of his judgment given by the same court but made a volte-face when it comes to giving equal speedy attention to the assignment of date in hearing of our appeal at the apex court.
“In conclusion, Onyendu expressed firm confidence in the ability of his erudite legal team, ably led by the man of letters, our indefatigable Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), and our ability to beat the Federal Government of Nigeria to their own game, again.
“Onyendu appreciated millions of his followers for not letting him down, particularly on his directive that the purported sit-at-home order, ordered by the known enemies of our land, was never obeyed. Onyendu directed that the criminals who are still on a rampage, ostensibly being funded by the enemies of his peaceful movement in their desperate bid to ensure that our land is completely destroyed, should be fished out from their hideouts. Onyendu further requested that Umuchineke should monitor the modus operandi of these soulless beings, and discretely smoke them out from their various hideouts.
“Onyendu roundly condemned the spate of wanton and mindless killings and destructions carried out by these criminal elements. He deeply commiserates with those who lost their lives and/or their properties during these attacks.
“May Ezigbo Umuhineke, be reminded once again of the pains Onyendu is daily being subjected to, for the emancipation of his people. Do not forget in haste that this great servant of his people daily ingests over ten tablets of drugs, which drugs rarely come through as and when needed.
“Some days, the DSS ignores his request and abandons him for days before coming back to him with the said medication. It is, therefore, incomprehensible that Onyendu’s advice could be roundly flouted and/or ignored by these elements who claim to be acting in his interest; which situation calls for in-depth scrutiny of these soulless beings with a view to determining whether Igbo blood actually runs in their veins.
“Onyendu remains profoundly grateful for your uncommon solidarity, love and loyalty, even as he continues to urge you all to remain law abiding as you have always demonstrated.”
