Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe has filed an application asking a Federal High Court in Abuja to order a visit to the residence of leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu following military invasion.
Abaribe, who is one of three sureties to Kanu was summoned by Justice Binta Nyako following the non-attendance of IPOB leader at the last sittings of the treason charges against him and three others.
In an application dated December 4 and brought by his counsel, Chukwuma Machukwu-Ume (SAN), Abaribe is specifically asking for leave of court to visit and make a locus inquo, a physical inspection of the shootings that occurred at Kanu’s residence at Isiama, Afara Ukwu, Umuahia, Abia State following the army invasion of September 11 and 14.
Abaribe predicated the application on the grounds that Kanu was at his residence between September 11 and 14 when the army came, alleging that he was arrested and taken away during the invasion under Operation Python Dance II.
Abaribe said his agent, a photographer, has on several occasions been prevented by the Nigerian Army as well as other security agents stationed at the gate of the house, from accessing the residence of Kanu to show the court the manner of the invasion.
Abaribe also wants the court to make an order compelling the Chief of Army Staff to show cause why the Attorney General of the Federation should not initiate contempt proceedings against him for embarking on “Extra-judicial self-help that have frustrated the proceedings and course of administration of justice, which actions has brought the court to some ridicule and its power appears nugatory as well as placing the applicant in a fixed up position.”
Justice Nyako has fixed February 28, 2018 for hearing of the application.
