Mrs Uchechi Kanu, wife of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, has said the apologies tendered by her husband’s lawyer, Kanu Agabi, SAN, at the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Friday, are yielding results.
Uchechi said it was crucial for Agabi, whom she described as “a towering figure” to address the court in that manner to ease tensions.
The IPOB leader’s wife stated this in a press statement shared with Sunday PUNCH.
She disclosed that the apologies were Agabi’s initiatives to clarify past arguments and outbursts witnessed at Justice Binta Nyako’s court, adding that the counsel’s decisions would facilitate dialogue and peaceful coexistence.
At the resumed sitting, Agabi apologised to the court on behalf of the IPOB leader, saying, “They are now at a place where they must apologise to Justice Binta Nyako, the prosecution team, and his legal team.”
Agabi stated that Kanu had been angry for a long time, and noted that the attack on Justice Nyako was unjustified. He also apologised to Kanu’s team, whom Kanu had verbally attacked at the last sitting.
The counsel further expressed regret over Kanu’s comments directed at the Federal Government’s counsel, who is also the chairman of the Body of Benchers, describing him as a lawyer held in high regard.
Reacting to the development, Uchechi said, “My husband, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, accepted the need for Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, the new lead counsel, to address the court of Justice James Omotosho on what transpired at Binta Nyako’s court, that shook the foundations of the Nigerian judiciary.”
“These clarifications were duly delivered by Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN—a towering figure. Chief Agabi, stepping into Onyendu’s brief, acted to smooth the ruffled feathers in some segments of the bar and bench, caused by his legitimate, anger-fuelled outbursts against Justice Binta Nyako’s court that led to her recusal.
She said, “Chief Kanu Agabi’s stature demanded it; he couldn’t represent Onyendu without restoring decorum acceptable to the Abuja bench in particular and the judiciary in general.
“Remarkably, Justice James Omotosho, also apologised to Onyendu for the prolonged delay and mishandling of his trial over the years, acknowledging his ordeal at the hands of the Federal High Court Abuja.”
