Reps, South East bishops, royal fathers ask FG to free Kanu

The South East Caucus of the House of Representatives has charged President Muhammadu Buhari to utilise the opportunity created by the discharge of leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB),  Mazi Nnamdi Kanu by the Court to stimulate national unity, healing, and solidarity. 

The caucus, in a statement entitled, “Nnamdi Kanu’s Trial: Time to Win Peace” signed by all the South East lawmakers, including the Deputy Minority Leader, Toby Okechukwu and Deputy Whip, Nkiru Onyejeocha, called for statesmanship on the part of  President Buhari  in line with his promise to Igbo leaders to abide by judicial decision on the matter.

This is as the South East Council of Traditional Rulers and representatives of Igbo Archbishops and Bishops On Peace and Conflict Resolution asked the Federal Government to release Kanu without delay.

The Appeal Court had last week discharged Kanu on terrorism charges brought against him by the Federal Government and ordered his release. However, the government is yet to comply with the judgment.

The South East Bishops, royal fathers, in a statement signed by Obi Nnaemeka Achebe, chairman, Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council, Most Rev. Chibuzo R. Opoko, Methodist Archbishop of Umuahia, Igwe Amb L. O. C. Agubuzu, chairman, Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, Most Rev. Valerian M. Okeke, Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha, lent it voice to the call for the unconditional release of Kanu to douse the current tensions across the South East and create an atmosphere for collaboration towards a constructive resolution of the issues.

The statement read in part: “We note the opinion emanating from the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, regarding the on-going legal action instituted by the Federal Government of Nigeria against Mazi Nnamdi Kanu which was issued on 20th July 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.

“We also note media reports confirming that on Thursday, October 13, 2022, a three-man panel of The Court of Appeal in Abuja led by Justice Hanatu Sankey held that the Federal High Court lacks the jurisdiction to try Mazi Nnamdi. Kanu on the grounds of his rendition to Nigeria which violates the protocol on extradition and the OAU convention, and subsequently discharged Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

“We welcome this judgement and assert that the wisdom of the Appellate Court presents a timely and an unprecedented opportunity to overcome the challenge of trust that has obstructed the path to peace; and opens the window to winning the hearts and minds of the people. We therefore unequivocally support the call for the immediate release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in line with the unanimous judgement of the Court that his extradition and subsequent trial was illegal, and the lower court had no jurisdiction to hear the case.

“In conclusion, the march towards peace and the restoration of normalcy in our society and economy requires the collective action of all people of God. We are confident that all Nigerians will rise to the summons of History and act with courage, conviction and integrity.”