Atiku Makes Case for Release of Nnamdi Kanu

By Eric Elezuo

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, and a former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has made case for the release of Biafran nation agitator, and leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, saying that his release will bring the much desired political solution to unrest in the South East.

He maintained that a political solution to the continued detention of IPOB leader would douse the tension in the southeast region.

The Waziri Adamawa also condemned the killing of five soldiers by unknown gunmen alleged to be members of POB.

Recall that on Thursday, five military personnel were ambushed and killed at the Obikabia Junction Checkpoint in Obingwa Local Government Area, of Abia State, during a clash with the IPOB terrorists.

The unknown gunmen, it was reported, were enforcing the sit-at-home declared to honour Biafra, and its fallen heroes. The 30th of May every year has been set aside by the Biafran agitators to honour Biafra, those that lost their lives in the Nigeri/Biafra war of 1967 – 1970. May 30 was the day Biafran independence was declared by late warlord, Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu, following killings of South Easterners in the north, and subsequent irreconcilable differences.

In a statement, however, on his X handle on Friday, Atiku lamented the impact of the sit-at-home for pupils who were writing their WAEC examination.

The statement read: “The violence that led to the killing of soldiers and civilians in Abia State on Thursday stands condemned. My thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of those who may have lost a loved one.

‘May their souls rest in peace. But even more profound is the impact of yesterday’s sit-at-home in the Southeast region of our country on students writing WAEC examinations.

“The veil of the so-called Unknown Gun Men hiding under cover to unleash death and mayhem must be lifted to ensure that criminal elements are separated from legitimate agitators.

“To this end, without prejudice to the ongoing legal processes, I think the time has come to explore a political resolution to the Nnamdi Kanu and other associated issues.

“I believe that this will defuse the compressor cooker situation in the region. It will be a win-win for all parties. -AA”

Nnamdi Kanu, who is facing treason charges before the judge, Binta Nyako, was some days behind, denied bail by the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Ruling on Mr Kanu’s fresh bail request, Mrs Nyako said she could not exercise her discretion in granting the IPOB leader bail because he had jumped bail.

On 25 April 2017, the judge admitted Mr Kanu to bail on account of ill health after he was incarcerated for 18 months in State Security Service (SSS) custody.

But midway into the trial, the IPOB leader ran away for dear life after Nigerian soldiers invaded his ancestral home in Abia State in 2017.

Referencing the incident, the judge said persons who stood as sureties for Mr Kanu withdrew from the suit.

Mrs Nyako recalled Mr Kanu’s several unsuccessful bail applications, saying, “You have an option of appeal; please exercise your right of appeal.”

The judge warned that any attempt by the IPOB leader’s legal team to file another bail request before the court would be “a gross abuse of court process.”

Similarly, the court turned down Mr Kanu’s application seeking to either be put on house arrest or transferred to a custodial centre pending the hearing and determination of his trial.

The judge however, ordered the SSS to grant Mr Kanu access to his legal team of five persons each visiting day, and a doctor of his choice.

Nnamdi was rearrested later in Kenya, and renditioned to Nigeria in 2021, and has since remained in DSS custody. His continuous incarceration has increased the tension in the Southeast, prompting the declaration of sit-at-home every Monday in the region.