Enyinnaya Abaribe, the majority leader of the Nigerian Senate has called for the strict adherence to the rule of law and caution in the handling of the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB by the federal government.
Uchenna Awom, his media adviser in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday, quoted Senator Abaribe advising the federal government to be guided by the provisions of Section 31 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended and Article 4 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, as it detains and re-arraign the IPOB leader in court for the continuation of his trial.
“The relevant section and charter he said, presupposes that the detainee should be humanely treated, while in the custody of the state.
“What it means is that it is the duty of the government in this instance to protect him and ensure the respect of his fundamental human rights, while his trial lasts. For now, it is trite law, that he is presumed innocent until proven guilty,” Abaribe said.
The Minority Leader called for calm saying that the recent events presents ample opportunity for dialogue and for the federal government to address the contending issues, that seems to challenge the peace and unity of the country.
