From Godwin Tsa, Abuja
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mohammed Ndarani, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to pursue the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, through a national committee of arbitration.
Kanu, who faces treason charges brought by the Nigerian government for leading a separatist group, has been in detention since June 2021, following his extraordinary rendition from Kenya.
The IPOB leader, whose trial started de novo (afresh) following the reassignment of his case file to Justice James Omotosho, had earlier pleaded not guilty to a seven-count treasonable felony charge preferred against him by the government.
Justice Binta Nyako, who previously conducted the trial, recused herself from the matter in September 2024 after Kanu accused her of bias.
Ndarani, who also serves as the Grand Patron of One Nation for Asiwaju Support Group, said an out-of-court settlement of the case would foster peace and unity in diversity.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, the senior lawyer stated: “In my opinion, the court may not be the solution to this matter if peace must reign in the nation.
“President Bola Tinubu should consider Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms like arbitration, conciliation, and mediation in some of these cases concerning these agitators.”
ADR refers to any method of conflict resolution that takes place outside the courtroom. It involves processes and techniques of conflict resolution without litigation and empowers parties to work together using a framework to amicably settle complex issues.
“The political atmosphere in Nigeria is tense, with tribal and religious issues being championed every day by some people and quarters who feel marginalised and aggrieved.
“In present times, early resolution of a dispute not only saves valuable time and money of the parties to the dispute but also promotes peace and unity.
“Section 17 of the Federal High Court Act and Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) provide that parties can explore alternative options for both civil and criminal matters.
“Like the treason matter involving Omoyele Sowore, leader of the Revolution Now Movement and a presidential candidate in the 2023 election, and the terrorism case against Bello Bodejo, leader of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, both cases which were withdrawn by the Nigerian government, this is commendable.
“Therefore, there is the need to seek further peace and unity of the nation.
“High-profile cases like Kanu’s are best resolved as quickly as possible because they evoke a lot of sentiments.
“Another reason for an expeditious resolution of the matter is that it would begin to heal festering wounds, which we can certainly do without at this stage of our nationhood,” he said.
The senior lawyer reminded that justice delayed is invariably justice denied.
“Talking about litigation generally in our courts, it is clear that some matters drag on interminably, and this has a knock-on effect on the willingness of our people to seek justice in our law courts.”
Ndarani said arbitration could help decongest courts, which are currently bogged down by more matters than they can expeditiously dispose of.
“Indispensable as the role of courts is in society, the process is usually long-drawn-out, and hence, the need to explore more frequently the option of alternative dispute resolution.
“The sooner we find alternative means of quickly disposing of these worrisome matters, the better for the promotion of peace and harmony in our country.
“I will advise the President to look inwards to see how to settle most of these pockets of agitations that have given rise to loss of lives and property.
“Arbitration can bring rest to the East, peace to the wanton killings in the Middle Belt, and as well as other parts of the country,” he said.
Away from the Kanu matter, Ndarani appealed to Nigerians to be patient with Tinubu, who, he said, met an unjust society.
“It is not easy to rearrange a system that had already collapsed before the advent of his administration. Nigeria’s problems are the few elites who put their interests on the first-line charge. I advise the President to avoid them and explore all mechanisms to settle for the peace of Nigeria rather than seeking prosecution. If Nigeria is peaceful, Tinubu will do well for the nation.”
He urged President Tinubu to watch out for “little foxes that spoil the vine” while he is trying to hold Nigeria together as one indivisible nation.