Nnamdi Kanu’s Trial: Abia Govt Vows To Ensure Justice, Warns Against Enforcing Sit-At-Home Order

Abia State Government said it is effectively monitoring the
situation with the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)
as it concerns his present trial at a Federal High Court, Abuja,
with the aim of ensuring his fundamental human rights as enshrined
in the Constitution were respected.

This is even as Abia Government has said it would not tolerate
the idea of forcing people to sit at home in the state under
whatever guise.

IPOB had in a recent statement ordered for a sit at home in the
South East and parts of South-South in solidarity with their
detained leader.

A statement by the Commissioner for Information, Chief John
Okiyi-Kalu said while, “We remain in touch with his family members,
other relevant persons and institutions, and receive regular
updates through them on the situation, the Abia State Government is
confident that the judiciary will ensure a free and manifestly fair
trial for him and others as they remain innocent until proven
guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.

We, therefore, wish to call on all citizens and visitors to
continue to be law-abiding and avoid any activity that might lead
to a breakdown of law and order.

While Government will not compel anyone wishing to sit at home
for any reason whatsoever not to do so, as citizens have freedom of
movement under the extant Constitution of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria, we wish to strongly advise that nobody should also compel
or enforce any sit at home order from any non-state actor as doing
so does not serve any known interests of the people of the
state”.

The government said it would not be economically expedient to
force traders to sit at home at a time they need to work hard to
sustain their families and create wealth especially in this era of
COVID-19 impacted global economy.

The statement advised all law-abiding citizens and visitors to
go about their normal businesses without fear of molestation as
adequate security has been provided to ensure their safety.

It also implored parents and guardians to ensure that they
monitor the activities of their children and wards with a view to
ensuring that they do not engage in unlawful activities that would
put them in harm’s way.

Abia State Government said it is effectively monitoring the
situation with the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)
as it concerns his present trial at a Federal High Court, Abuja,
with the aim of ensuring his fundamental human rights as enshrined
in the Constitution were respected.

This is even as Abia Government has said it would not tolerate
the idea of forcing people to sit at home in the state under
whatever guise.

IPOB had in a recent statement ordered for a sit at home in the
South East and parts of South-South in solidarity with their
detained leader.

A statement by the Commissioner for Information, Chief John
Okiyi-Kalu said while, “We remain in touch with his family members,
other relevant persons and institutions, and receive regular
updates through them on the situation, the Abia State Government is
confident that the judiciary will ensure a free and manifestly fair
trial for him and others as they remain innocent until proven
guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.

We, therefore, wish to call on all citizens and visitors to
continue to be law-abiding and avoid any activity that might lead
to a breakdown of law and order.

While Government will not compel anyone wishing to sit at home
for any reason whatsoever not to do so, as citizens have freedom of
movement under the extant Constitution of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria, we wish to strongly advise that nobody should also compel
or enforce any sit at home order from any non-state actor as doing
so does not serve any known interests of the people of the
state”.

The government said it would not be economically expedient to
force traders to sit at home at a time they need to work hard to
sustain their families and create wealth especially in this era of
COVID-19 impacted global economy.

The statement advised all law-abiding citizens and visitors to
go about their normal businesses without fear of molestation as
adequate security has been provided to ensure their safety.

It also implored parents and guardians to ensure that they
monitor the activities of their children and wards with a view to
ensuring that they do not engage in unlawful activities that would
put them in harm’s way.