Southeast leaders and bishops demand 'immediate' release of Nnamdi Kanu

Two Igbo groups, the Council of Traditional Leaders of the South East and the Igbo Archbishops and Bishops for Peace and Conflict Resolution, have demanded the immediate release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the outlaw indigenous people of the Biafra (IPOB).

The Chairman of the Council of Traditional Leaders, Nnaemeka Achebe, who is the Obi of Onitsha, revealed this in a statement he released on Tuesday together with a representative of the Bishops, Chibuzo Opoko.

Lawrence Agubuzu and Valerian Okeke, other representatives of the council and bishops respectively, also signed the declaration.

Mr. Agubuzu is the Chairman of the Council of Traditional Rulers of Enugu State while Mr. Okeke is the Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha.

The groups stressed that they had consistently "carried out thorough and behind-the-scenes consultations" for peace in the Southeast and the resolution of insecurity in the region on the basis of "justice, equity , fairness, love, mutual understanding and respect" for all people.

"In this light, we have also supported the call for the unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu by the federal government to ease the current tension in the southeast and create an atmosphere of collaboration towards a constructive resolution of the problems. the groups said.

Response to judgment

The request comes less than a week after the Abuja Court of Appeal overturned government terrorism charges against Kanu and ordered his release from State Security Service custody (SSS).

The court, in its decision on Thursday, found that the IPOB leader had been "extraordinarily returned" to Nigeria and that the action was a clear violation of the country's extradition treaty as well as a violation of Mr. Kanu's basic human rights.

The Nigerian government, in its first response, argued that the Court of Appeal only acquitted Mr. Kanu, and did not acquit him.

The country's Attorney General, Abubakar Malami, in a statement Thursday evening from his spokesperson, Umar Gwandu, hinted that the government would not release Mr. Kanu, despite the court order.

ALSO READ: Nigerian Government Served Appeal Court Judgment Freeing Nnamdi Kanu - Lawyer

Mr. Malami said the government is considering its legal options and may pursue further charges against the IPOB chief.

He said the Court of Appeal's decision "deals with a single issue that borders on restitution".

But Southeast leaders and bishops welcomed the judgment, saying their call for the immediate release of the IPOB leader was in line with the court ruling.

"We welcome this judgment and affirm that the wisdom of the Court of Appeals provides a timely and unprecedented opportunity to overcome the trust challenge that has obstructed the path to peace, and opens the door to conquering the hearts and minds of people,” the groups added.

IPOB is leading the agitation for an independent republic, Biafra, which it wants to see separated from the southeast and parts of south-south Nigeria.

Mr. Kanu has already been arrested and released on bail. He skipped bail in 2017.

He was 'intercepted' in Kenya in June last year by Nigerian security agents and brought back to Abuja.

Support the integrity and credibility journalism of PREMIUM TIMES Good journalism costs a lot of money. Yet only good journalism can guarantee the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy and a transparent government. For free and continued access to the best investigative journalism in the country, we ask that you consider providing modest support to this noble endeavour. By contributing to PREMIUM TIMES, you help sustain relevant journalism and keep it free and accessible to everyone.

Donate

[embedded content]

ADVERT TEXT: