Deafening calls for the release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnadi Kanu, from protracted detention have become a thorn in the flesh of the presidency
Udoka Ekeleme, Abuja
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is certainly disturbed by the barrage of calls from various parts of the country asking him to free the detained promoter of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnadi Kanu. The incumbent president inherited the illegal detention of the IPOB boss from his immediate predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari whose government charged Kanu with treason offences. Despite Buhari’s assurances to South east political and traditional rulers that his government would not interfere with Kanu’s trial at the courts, his government, inexplicably, failed to free the Igbo nation freedom agitator when the courts said he had no case to answer.
But one year into the administration of President Tinubu, there seems to be no end to the calls for Kanu to be released from the custody of the Department of State Service (DSS). The intensity of the free Nnamdi Kanu calls heightened after the latter had demanded for an out of court settlement with the Federal Government.
Kanu’s extraordinary rendition from Kenya in July 2021 raised dust in the country. After a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja and presided over by Justice Binta Murtala Nyako had cleared Kanu of eight out of the 15 charges brought against him by Buhari government on April 8, 2022, the Appeal Court was to discharge and acquit him of all the 15 charges later same year on October 14, 2022.
Intent on keeping Kanu perpetually behind bars propelled same Buhari government to drag Kanu to the Supreme Court despite calls from the international community to free the freedom fighter. It was the United Nations Human Rights Working Group on Arbitrary Detention that called the attention of the international community to the arbitrary detention of Kanu, in 2022, insisting on the “immediate and unconditional” release of the IPOB leader. The body also stressed that under the international laws, it was an offence on the part of the Nigerian government to have involved in the condemnable extraordinary rendition of Kanu from Kenya.
Addressing the marginalisation of the Igbo nation in Nigeria, and the need to free Kanu, the Ijaw leader and Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Chief Edwin Clark, had through a letter to President Tinubu dated June 16, 2024, expressed that the South east security crisis was a fall out of the continued incarceration of the IPOB leader.
Clark: “If we allow the violence and insecurity in the South east to continue, the consequences will be very unpleasant to all Nigerians. It was because of this that I called on President Muhammadu Buhari to accept the Court of Appeal Judgement on Nnamdi Kanu.
“Apart from demanding for the restructuring of Nigeria, the political freedom of Nnamdi Kanu will no doubt complete the reconciliation of Nigeria and bring an end to the needless Monday sit at home order which has disturbed business and Civil activities in the South east”, the letter read in part.
But Kanu is now asking for opportunity to explore the process of an out-of-court settlement with the Federal Government. At the resumed trial, on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, Kanu, through his legal team had informed Justice Binta Nyako of the Abuja division of the Federal High Court about his decision to have an out of the court negotiation with the authorities.
When the matter was called, his lead counsel, Mr Ejimakor Aloy, informed the court that the DSS was yet to fully comply with the orders of the court as their visit to Kanu was still being bugged.
While stating that the defendant has resolved to initiate contempt of court proceedings against the Director General of the DSS for refusing to obey her orders directing the service to grant Kanu a “safe room” (un-bugged) space for meeting with his lawyers, Aloy, in addition, urged the court to, on its own, invoke Section 17 of the Federal High Court Act, which he said provides for “reconciliation” and facilitation of amicable settlement in criminal or civil matters.
He claimed that he had, some time ago, discussed the proposition with counsel to the federal government, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, adding that the senior lawyer had responded by saying that the proper time for such an issue has not come. Responding, Awomolo informed the court that he did not have the instruction of his client to embark on any negotiations with the defendant over the charge.
50 Reps beg Tinubu to release Nnamdi Kanu
In another development, about 50 members of the House of Representatives spread across the six geo-political zones of the country under the aegis of the Concerned Federal Lawmakers for Peace and Security in the South-east, have appealed to President Bola Tinubu to invoke Section 174 of the Constitution of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and Section 107(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 to release Kanu from the custody of the DSS.
The lawmakers elected on the platform of different political parties in a letter addressed to President Tinubu, dated June 19, 2024, urged the first citizen to commence a peace move to address the insecurity challenges in the South-East.
Some of the signatories of the three-page letter include Obi Aguocha (Abia), Ikenga Ugochinyere (Imo), Afam Ogene (Anambra), Muhammed Jajere (Yobe), Aliyu Mustapha (Kaduna), Midala Balami (Borno), and Abiante Awaji-Inombek (Rivers).
Others are Dominic Okafor (Anambra), Etanabene Benedict (Delta), Abdulmaleek Danga (Kogi), Shehu Dalhatu (Katsina), Chinedu Martins (Imo), Matthew Nwogu (Imo), Peter Aniekwe (Anambra), Koki Sagir (Kano) and Amobi Oga (Abia) among others.
They recalled that the President extended this gesture through the office of the Attorney General in the charge involving Omoyele Sowore, wherein he was charged with treasonable felony in Charge No FHC/ABJ CR/235/2019, and Sunday Igboho.
The letter read in part, “Your Excellency, we are concerned members of the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with a strong belief and trust that the Renewed Hope agenda and the various positive reforms would be seen and felt by all. It is against this backdrop that we, the undersigned, hereby beseech Your Excellency to direct the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN, to invoke his powers of nolle prosequi under the provisions of Section 174(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and Section 107(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, and cause the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from detention and discontinue his trial.
“We collectively believe this is long overdue and would be instrumental in opening the door for much-needed conversations surrounding peace reformation and inclusivity, as well as addressing the issues that led to the agitations, especially at this time when Nigeria is going through several constitutional reforms.
“Your Excellency, we resolutely believe that this singular act can serve as a pivotal gesture towards national unity, as it would address some of the political, security, and economic concerns in the region. It would encourage stakeholders from the South East to engage more actively in the national discussions on the renewed hope agenda, thereby promoting inclusivity and addressing long-standing grievances.
“This, we believe, will also help dismantle the apparatus of violence and restiveness that has plagued the region, allowing for a focus on economic growth and development. This comes at a time when the nation-state is under enormous pressure, including but not limited to unemployment, insecurity, hunger, and poverty, thereby de-escalating tension from all sides.
“Moreover, we, as key actors in the renewed hope agenda of Your Excellency, are not unmindful of the fact that Your Excellency has extended this gesture through the office of the Attorney General in the charge involving Omoyele Sowore, wherein he was charged with treasonable felony in Charge No FHC/ABJ CR/235/2019, Sunday Igboho, and others. All these recorded tremendous successes, especially in resolving the crisis within the North-Central, North-East, and South-South regions, not forgetting peace efforts in the Niger Delta region, which have helped in many ways.
“The establishment of the North East Development Commission, Ministry of the Niger Delta, Niger Delta Development Commission, Presidential Amnesty, various host community laws, etc., were all commitments to show good faith to the plight of the people as well as resolving regional conflicts.
“It is, therefore, our conviction that fixing the challenges in the South-East would go a long way in changing the narrative and showcasing your commitment to upholding the principles of rule of law, justice, and fairness, which are the bedrock of our democracy. It would also set a precedent for addressing issues through dialogue rather than prolonged political and judicial persecution and a brass show of executive lawlessness. We, therefore, implore Your Excellency to adopt this approach, save the South-East, and pave the way for a national conversation to restore, safeguard, and improve the resources and economic activities in the South-East.”
The letter further read, “Your Excellency, the benefits of such a bold and compassionate act are manifold. It would pave the way for peace initiatives, economic revitalisation, and a renewed sense of belonging among the citizens of the South-East. It would also enhance your administration’s legacy as one that prioritises national unity, peace, and progress.
“We are hopeful that you will consider this request with the gravity it deserves and take the necessary steps to bring about a new era of peace and inclusivity in Nigeria.”
Meanwhile, some communities in the Niger Delta have threatened to cripple oil production in the region if the Federal Government continued to remain adamant over the growing clamour for the release of Kanu.
Speaking under the aegis of Association of Niger Delta Upland Communities, the oil-rich region, called on the Federal Government to quickly initiate moves for political solution to Kanu’s matter.
The association in a statement signed by its President, Isah Mohammed Obiri; and Secretary, Wisdom Oteyi, respectively, threatened to stop oil production in Niger Delta until Kanu who it said, is unjustly persecuted, is released.
The letter read: “This is a prompt reminder to the Federal Government of Nigeria to acknowledge that our 14-days ultimatum is rapidly approaching. We remain steadfast in our commitment and determination to implement the plans we have outlined.
“Once again, we urge the Federal Government to initiate peaceful discussions with our leader for resolution.
“Please be informed that the Rumuekpe Manifold, which accommodates the storage of 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day, will continue to be non-operational until our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, is released from the custody of the DSS facility.
“This decision entails the permanent closure of all the oil wells associated with the following pipelines: Kolo Creek, Adabawa, Oguta/Assa Trunkline, Owasa oil pipeline, Obelle oil pipeline, Rukpkou oil return to Rumuekpe Manifold, Total Om! 58 Oil Pipeline, Niger Delta Petroleum Resources Limited oil pipeline return to Rumuekpe Manifold, as well as other oil facilities including the largest Microwave, Flow Station, Total Metering Station, (NDPR) Metering Station across the Eastern zone with the map of the eastern zone oil companies operation hooked to Rumuekpe Manifold and operations of oil companies within the Bonny Terminal (Rumuckpe Manifold).
“This shutdown has been in effect since September 21, 2023, leading to significant financial losses for the Federal Government amounting to over N14.5 trillion over the past eight months.
“The marginalization and conspiracy aimed at suppressing the Igbo Biafran people must cease immediately. We are united by blood and as one family. Injustice towards our leader is injustice that affects us all.
“They accused those behind Kanu’s extraordinary rendition from Kenya of responsibility for the tension associated with his continued detention, and threatened to exposed them.
“The individuals who orchestrated the extraordinary rendition of our leader, solely because his enlightening messages challenged the status quo, are the true adversaries of Nigeria. This conspiracy aims to suppress our leader whose insights have awakened the masses.
“We implore all conscientious citizens to stand up and protect our leader using our abundant natural resources until he is liberated.
“The identities of those responsible for this disgraceful act against an innocent man, whose wisdom could benefit all, are causing widespread suffering. In the forthcoming press release, their complete names will be disclosed.”
In his capacity, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has assured that Kanu would soon regain his freedom.
Hon. Kalu revealed that he has met with Kanu a couple of times in DSS detention facility, said that hopes are high that the IPOB leader will soon be released.
Kalu stated this while acknowledging the call by the 50 members of the House of Representatives, led by Obi Aguocha, to release the IPOB leader.
