Former Governor of Abia State, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has expressed his disappointment with Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer, Barr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor for saying that he (Kalu) violated the law by visiting Kanu in prison.
Kalu said; “I am very disappointed with Barrister Ejiofor. Ejiofor was very much informed that I was scheduled to visit Kanu but claimed that I violated the guidelines stipulated for visiting his client.”
“The public has been misinformed about my visit to Nnamdi Kanu in DSS custody.”
“I also read a report stating that I took pictures with Nnamdi and also tweeted same on my Twitter account.”
“For the records, the Department of State Services (DSS) did not break any protocol during my visit as I fulfilled all the requirements expected of me before I saw Nnamdi. The DSS affirmed that I cannot see Nnamdi without the application of his lawyers which I diligently did.”
“Probably, Barrister Ejiofor may have expected me to arrive at 4pm for a scheduled 2pm visit. What many people refer to as ‘African time’ is not my style. I strictly keep to time and it is a discipline I have upheld since my childhood.”
“I arrived the DSS headquarters at 1:50 PM; went through the necessary protocols and met Nnamdi at 2:17 PM. I stayed with him until 2:57 PM. Even though he asked that I stayed longer but I had to leave because of other engagements.”
“During my visit to Nnamdi, I did not even take my mobile phone along and no photograph was taken. The photograph people are circulating was the one I took with him when I visited him at the Nigerian Correctional Service Medial Security Custodial Centre, Kuje in 2016 and later, his parents in 2017. My Twitter account has also been inactive.”
“I don’t also know if Barrister Ejiofor is aware that Nnamdi is not under compulsion to see anyone. If he didn’t want to see me, he could have as well declined, but he was glad to see me and also expressed deep appreciations.”
“Ejiofor’s anger seems to be borne out of vexation of not being around to listen to our conversations.”
“Ejiofor is sounding like someone who is a beneficiary of the crisis going on in the South East. Men like Ejiofor may not see the economic damage the region is going through because of the weekly sit-at-home.”
“Ejiofor should do well to consider the security, safety and wellbeing of the people. There could be a peaceful protest without disruption of the economic activities and going violent.”
“Ejiofor should be patriotic and rise above ‘primordial and pecuniary’ interest and put the people first.”