Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, Special counsel for the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has said that Kanu did not agree to abide by “any conditions” set by President Bola Tinubu’s administration for his release.
He said Kanu only agreed to abide by “negotiated terms” of his release as he is ready to negotiate with the Nigerian government and come to a well negotiated and mutually agreed terms for his release from detention.
Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe who is representing Abia South Senatorial District on Wednesday after a meeting between South-East Senators and the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) on Kanu’s release, said the IPOB leader had agreed to comply with the conditions set by President Tinubu-led Nigerian government for his release.
Led by Senator Abaribe, approximately 15 federal lawmakers participated in the closed-door meeting.
Senator Abaribe, speaking on behalf of his colleagues after the meeting, expressed optimism that the Attorney-General would influence the Federal Government to consider releasing Kanu.
He emphasised that Kanu’s prolonged detention was contributing to heightened insecurity and unrest in the South-East region.
Senator Abaribe disclosed that he had personally met with Kanu at the Department of State Services (DSS) headquarters, where Kanu expressed the readiness to comply with any conditions set by the government for his release.
But Ejimakor disclosed that whereas it is true that Senator Abaribe met with Kanu on Monday and had robust discussion with him, the right context of Kanu’s meeting the lawmaker was that he will abide by “negotiated terms” of his release, not any conditions thrown at him by the government.
Ejimakor said, “The legal team met with Mazi Nnamdi Kanu today. The news that he will abide by “any conditions” for his release is incorrect.
“What was meant is that he will abide by the “negotiated terms” of his release & on other matters related thereto, such as was also agreed in August 2017.”
He also told SaharaReporters that Kanu’s legal team was also gearing up for discussion and negotiation with the Nigerian government to reach mutually agreed terms for Kanu’s release as the government cannot just throw up any conditions and expect compliance.
Ejimakor added, “This is a political matter and whatever condition for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s release will have to be negotiated like what was happening in August 2017 before his house was invaded. The right wording is that Kanu will abide by negotiated terms, not any conditions.
“I facilitated Senator Abaribe’s meeting with Kanu on Monday and I know what they discussed. I just met with Kanu and he clarified that what he meant is negotiated terms but that does not mean that Senator Abaribe does not mean well for Kanu. It was just a matter of choice of words.
“The legal team is also gearing up for negotiation with the Nigerian government but that does not mean Kanu will just comply with any conditions set by the government for his release.”
Nnamdi Kanu Agreed To Abide By ‘Negotiated Terms’, Not Any Conditions Set By Tinubu Govt For His Release – Ejimakor
