How Ejiofor, Ozekhome’s failure to challenge FG’s motion cost Nnamdi Kanu’s freedom – Defence team
Nnamdi Kanu’s Defense Team Criticizes Former Counsel for Legal Missteps
Nnamdi Kanu’s defense team has attributed his current legal challenges to shortcomings by his former attorneys, Mike Ozekhome, SAN, and Ifeanyi Ejiofor. They failed to file a preliminary objection against a Nigerian government motion seeking a stay of execution following a pivotal October 13, 2022, ruling by the Court of Appeal that had freed Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The defense’s remarks were made public in a statement by attorney Christopher Chidera on Saturday. Kanu recently announced that Ejiofor would no longer serve as his legal representative.
Ozekhome and Ejiofor were involved in Kanu’s terrorism trial until he opted to represent himself in court. Chidera, speaking on behalf of Kanu’s defense, noted that the Court of Appeal had granted Kanu freedom by deeming his extradition from Kenya illegal, thus stripping the Federal High Court of jurisdiction over the case, which ultimately led to the dismissal of all charges against him.
Chidera asserted, “On October 13, 2022, Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu was a free man. The Court of Appeal had unanimously discharged him, declaring his extraordinary rendition from Kenya illegal and quashing the charges.” He described the moment as a turning point that should have resulted in Kanu’s immediate release.
However, Chidera criticized the actions of his former attorneys, particularly Ejiofor, for failing to respond properly when the Federal Government filed a “civil stay of execution” application. Instead of challenging the jurisdiction of the court, they engaged in counter-affidavits concerning the case’s merits.
Chidera emphasized the gravity of this oversight, stating, “The result was catastrophic. The stay was granted, and a new panel of the Court of Appeal used civil procedure rules to nullify a criminal discharge. Kanu remained in DSS custody for 14 months without fresh charges.”
The defense team pointed out that the unchallenged stay of execution application ultimately allowed the Supreme Court to overturn Kanu’s discharge on December 15, 2023. Chidera expressed regret that Kanu subsequently faced conviction and a life sentence for charges that had previously been dismissed by a superior court.
When Kanu’s family sought accountability, Chidera claimed that Ejiofor did not accept responsibility. Instead, he alleged that Ejiofor launched a smear campaign against Kanu’s brothers and disseminated false information to Kanu’s wife while publicly attacking his former client.
The defense team criticized this conduct, asserting that the rule of law necessitates transparency. They called for accountability from Egiofor and insisted that Kanu’s family, the legal profession, and the general public deserve explanations regarding the matter.
In their conclusion, the defense team maintained that the situation reflects not merely a failure to present a robust legal argument but rather “professional negligence that cost a man his freedom.”
