The leadership of the Indigenous People of Biafra, on Wednesday, expressed worry over what it described as the silence of governors of the South-East states on the continued detention of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
According to the group, the silence of the political leaders and governors of the zone did not in any way suggest that Kanu is truly their ‘son’.
The group’s Director of Media and Publicity, Emma Powerful, made its position known in a statement made available to journalists.
The statement partly read, “Following the landmark judgment of October 13, 2022, by the Federal Court of Appeal, sitting in Abuja that unequivocally discharged and acquitted Nnamdi Kanu of all the trumped up charges brought against him by the government of Nigeria, the silence from South East governors and political leadership gives room for concern.
“We the global movement and family of the Indigenous People of Biafra under the command and leadership of our great leader, Nnamdi Kanu, is compelled to ask Igbo governors, senators, House of Representative members, ministers, House of Assembly members in every state in Biafraland why the silence over the continued illegal detention of their son, Nnamdi Kanu, even though a court of competent jurisdiction, the Court of Appeal, has discharged and acquitted him of all the charges brought against him by the Nigerian government?
“IPOB has been observing the countenance of Igbo politicians from the moment the Appeal Court ruled in favour of Nnamdi Kanu and wonder whether this silence is as a result of these leaders being cowardly and afraid of the government or whether they are accomplices to the kidnapping and extraordinary renditioning of their son?”
Anya-Ndi-Igbo speaks
A socio-political group, Anya-Ndi-Igbo, has called on the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) to initiate genuine reconciliation and engagement with Kanu.
The group, in a statement jointly signed by its President, Chris Okoye; Deputy President, Dr Abraham Nwankwo; Chairman, Board of Trustees, Dr Uma Eleazu; Secretary, Okey Nwadinobi; a Representative of Women Groups, Nnedinso Ogaziechi; and its Chairman of Communication, Ikechukwu Amarachi, on Wednesday, also commended the judiciary which it says has lived up to its billing as the last hope of the common man.
“We call upon the Federal Government led by President Muhammadu Buhari to seize this propitious opportunity to initiate a process of genuine reconciliation, constructive engagement, mutual trust, and harmony, not only with Nnamdi Kanu and his group but also with all other aggrieved groups across the length and breadth of our dear country,” the group said.
Lawyers intervene
Meanwhile, senior lawyers have spoken on the position of the government on Kanu after the verdict of the appellate court.
Speaking to The PUNCH on the issue, Chukwuma-Machukwu Ume (SAN), who had earlier written to the Attorney General, Abubakar Malami, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs advising them to release the accused person, said he has been vindicated.
“You cannot go to court with torpid or base actions, which are actions based on illegality. I wonder which other charges they will frame. Because whatever charge they frame, he’s in Nigeria on an illegal process.
You first of all have to send him back to Kenya. Then he is there as a free citizen, and you apply for extradition. And then the process of extradition is carried through. It is only then that you can bring him back,” he said.
On his part, Olisa Agbakoba explained that accused persons can never be put back on trial if they are discharged and acquitted.
“What the Court of Appeal has said is that, for the reasons presented by the defence, the charges are technically bad and so the accused, namely Nnamdi Kanu, is discharged.
“This means that he must forthwith be released from custodial detention. And if he’s not, then it is a violation of the order of the Court of Appeal,” he said.
Emeka Obegolu (SAN) asked the government to comply with the court order and release Kanu.
He suggested that negotiation be carried out to settle the issues arising from the trial.
