Victor EzejaThe South-east council of traditional rulers and representatives of Igbo Archbishops and Bishops on peace and conflict resolution has demanded the “immediate release” of Nnamdi Kanu.
The Igbo leaders made their demand based on the Appeal Court judgment last week Thursday which struck out the remaining seven count charges bordering on terrorism and treasonable felony, filed against Kanu by the Nigerian government.
A three-man panel of the appellate court led by Justice Hanatu Sankey, in its judgment held that the Federal High Court lacked the jurisdiction to try the IPOB leader on the grounds of his rendition to Nigeria which violates the protocol on extradition and the OAU convention, and subsequently discharged him.
However, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, surprisingly issued a statement insisting that Kanu was only discharged and not acquitted, arguing that he still had a case to answer.
The Federal Government had since refused to release Kanu in defiance of the Appeal Court ruling, insisting that it would explore “all available options” to determine the charge preferred against the IPOB leader.
Reacting to the development, the Igbo traditional rulers and bishops in a joint statement released on Tuesday, kicked against the position of the federal government, stating that the government cannot choose court orders to obey or not to obey.
The statement was signed by chairmen of their Traditional Rulers Council, His Majesty Obi Alfred Achebe (Anambra); His Majesty Igwe Agubuzu (Enugu); Most Rev. Chibuzo Opoko (Methodist Archbishop of Umuahia); Most Rev. Valerian Okeke (Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha).
Part of the statement reads, “We welcome this judgment and assert that the wisdom of the Appeal Court judgment on Nnamdi Kanu presented a timely and unprecedented opportunity to overcome the challenge of trust that has obstructed the path to peace, and opens the window to win the hearts and minds of the people.
“We note the opinion emanating from the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, regarding the ongoing legal action instituted by the Federal Government of Nigeria against Mazi Nnamdi Kanu which was issued on July 20, 2022.
“Among many recommendations or requests made to the Federal Government, the opinion called for the immediate and unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who has been in detention for over one year, following his rendition from Kenya in June 2021.”
The Igbo leaders demanded unconditional release of Kanu by the Federal Government to douse the current tensions across the Southeast and create an atmosphere for an amicable resolution of the issues.
“We therefore unequivocally support the call for the immediate release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in line with the unanimous judgment of the Court that his extradition and subsequent trial was illegal, and the lower court had no jurisdiction to hear the case,” the statement added.
The group also stated that in the recent past, it had undertaken extensive “behind-the-scenes consultations with all stakeholders” in a bid to restore peace in the Southeast region.
“The body has been consistent and persistent in its call for all stakeholders to not relent in the pursuit of peacebuilding and resolution of security challenges in the South East based on justice, equity, fairness, love, mutual understanding, and respect of all persons,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, Kanu’s lawyers have written to the AGF, demanding unconditional release of the IPOB leaders from the detention facility of the Department of State Services (DSS).
The letter dated October 17, was signed by Kanu’s lead counsel, Chief Mike Ozekhome SAN.
Ozekhome in the letter referred the AGF to an attached certified true copy of the Court of Appeal judgment delivered on October 13, 2022, which discharged Kanu, and an enrolled order of the appellate court.
He, therefore, urged Malami to “unconditionally release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu” in compliance with the said judgment.
“On the strength of this judgment of a superior court of record, we respectfully urge your good office to immediately comply with the judgment of the Court herein attached.
“Order the immediate and unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, now being illegally held in solitary confinement in State Security Service facility, at the Abuja headquarters,” Ozekhome wrote.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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