It Is Very Odd to Me as a Constitutional Lawyer That Nigeria Lives on a Constitution Ordained by a Military Dictator – Bruce Fein

Bruce Fein, Nnamdi Kanu’s US-Based Lawyer, Discredits Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution

Bruce Fein, the US-based lawyer to Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has said it is absurd that Nigeria still uses the 1999 constitution although it was imposed on the people by a military dictator.

Fein spoke in an exclusive interview with Human rights activist and Amnesty International designated Prisoner of Conscience, Omoyele Sowore, shortly after he and Kanu’s lead counsel, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, were denied access to the IPOB leader by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).

Kanu had remained in detention since he was re-arrested by Nigerian authorities in collaboration with others outside the country.

The court had earlier ordered that his lawyers should be granted a routine visit to interact with the separatist leader while in detention.

But on Thursday, the DSS had denied the pair access despite meeting formal notification and existing procedures on visitation.

Speaking during the interview, Fein condemned the disregard for human rights and due process in Nigeria by government institutions.

The constitutional lawyer said globally, the right to self-determination and due process are fundamental rights of every citizen which should also be upheld by the Nigerian government.

“Everybody recognizes the right to self-determination and due process. Universally, the law condemns torture and extra-judicial killings,” he said.

“I am an expert in constitutional law and it seems very odd to me from the US that Nigeria lives on a constitution ordained by a military dictator in 1999 with no input from the public. No referendum, nothing and the country is living under such a constitution 22 years later.

“To me, that is totally absurd. We should look at how laws benefit the people, not just being manipulated to benefit those in power.”