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From Godwin Tsa, Abuja
Federal lawmakers from the South East on Tuesday described the decision of the Abuja division of the Federal High Court to reject the bail application by the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu as a major set back for the healing process and return of peace in the region.
The lawmakers from the House of Representatives who were led by Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere included Obi Aguocha.
Justice Binta Murtala Nyako on Tuesday refused to grant Kanu’s bail application and ordered an acceleeated hearing of his trial.
Speaking after the court session, Kanu distanced himself from the protracted violence in the South Eastern region of the country.
He said those behind the destructions of lives and property in the name of being an IPOB member would not be spared.
The lawmakers who were equally in court for the proceedings expressed fears that the outcome of the bail application may frustrate the peace process in the region.
They lamented that if the application was granted, it would have been the beginning of healing process in the region.
Ugochinyere who represents Ideato South and North in the House however appealed to president Ahmed Bola Tinubu to invoke the relevant section of the Constitution to discontinue Mazi Kanu trial.
He said, “We received the news of the rejection of the bail with sadness and we just lost an opportunity to commence them process of healing in our land. That bail application, if granted would have brought an opportunity to open doors for discussion to bring about peace in the South East.
“Just few weeks back, the federal government discontinued the criminal charge filed against Omoyele Sowore by the federal government. I’m also aware that the federal government has allowed Sunday Ignore back home.
“It’s so painful that when it’s the turn of an Igbo man, the story is always different. We are calling in President Bola Tinubu not yo allowntheiment to pass him by. What the president should do and the attorney-general I particular, is to invke the power invested on him under section 174 of the 1999 Constitution to discontinue the matter. The case can be disontinued in the interest of the public and justice.
“It is also painful for us that this bail application was rejected and we hope that President Tinubu will do the needful by discontinuing the matter.”
Also, Kanu, who spoke after his trial in court, noted that the violence persisted because he was being held in the custody of DSS.
