South-East governors on Tuesday say they will interface with the federal government for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
This formed part of the communiqué issued after a meeting of the Forum in Enugu.
At the meeting, which also had other stakeholders in attendance, were governors Hope Uzodinma, Dr. Alex Otti, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, Rt. Hon. Francis Nwifuru of Imo, Abia, Anambra and Ebonyi states, respectively, as well as the host, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State.
The move comes after Kanu, who is the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, expressed willingness to get the Nigerian Government to agree to an out-of-court-settlement.
On June 19, 2024, Kanu who is facing trial charges bordering on terrorism had through his lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor informed the Federal High Court in Abuja of his intentions to seek reconciliation with the Federal Government.
Ejimakor had informed the court that he had discussed the out-of-court settlement with the counsel of the Federal Government, Adegboyega Awomolo.
However, Awomolo, who told the court that he had no instruction of his client to embark on any negotiations with the defendant, said: “I told him to go to the Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, who has the power. If he is interested in negotiating he should go there, his office is just here.”
But Justice Binta Nyako observed that the court has no problem if the parties want to discuss negotiation, urging Kanu to approach the AGF who is the proper person to negotiate with.
Similarly, about 50 members of the House of Representatives from different parts of Nigeria and political parties known as 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 Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, Kanu’s release.
The lawmakers appealed to President Tinubu to commence a presidential peace initiative to address all issues and challenges bedevilling the southeast region of Nigeria. These were contained in a 3 page letter signed by the lawmakers, dated June 19, 2024 and addressed to Mr President.
Presidential candidate of Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi has also backed calls for Kanu’s release, noting that it would foster peace.
Giving his views on the continued detention of Kanu, Obi said: “I don’t see any reason for his continued detention, especially as the courts have granted him bail. Government must obey the court.
On his part the National Public Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Alex Ogbonnia, said a political solution is key, stressing that Kanu’s release would quell insecurity in the Southeast.
Ogbonia noted that the Biafra agitation was a fundamental issue and beyond Kanu.
Meanwhile, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, AYCF, thinks otherwise.
The group is of the opinion that the court and not the Nigerian Government should be allowed to decide Kanu’s fate based on proven evidence.
National President of AYCF, Yerima Shettima said the IPOB leader should be made to face the “music” of his action if found guilty by the court or released if proven innocent.
