By Comfort Olayinka
Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe led a delegation of 15 South East senators to meet with the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi.
The senators requested the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The senators argued that Kanu’s incarceration has led to increased insecurity and economic losses in the South East region. The senator’s letter to the AGF highlighted the negative impact of Kanu’s detention on the region.
The letter further stressed that the region has lost trillions of Naira in revenue due to the sit-at-home orders.They appealed to the AGF to consider the possibility of an out-of-court settlement.
This possibility was discussed in the Federal High Court on June 19, 2024 as the senators also noted that the AGF had previously exercised his powers to discontinue charges against other individuals.
They requested that he extend the same magnanimity to Kanu. The senators emphasized the need for equal and just treatment of all individuals, regardless of tribe, religion, or historical background.
Senator Abaribe disclosed that he had met with Kanu at the headquarters of the Department of State Services, (DSS), on Monday in Abuja and that Kanu had agreed to abide by any conditional release.
He expressed optimism that once Kanu is released, the tension and acrimonies engulfing the Southeast region since 2021 would become an event of the past.
The lawmakers passionately pleaded with the AGF to pass their message to President Tinubu and for the AGF to use his position to terminate all charges brought against the IPOB leader by the federal government.
Abaribe said that virtually all political leaders, religious leaders and stakeholders have unanimously agreed that Kanu be released for peace to bounce back to the region.
Recall that Kanu was re-arrested in Kenya in 2021 by the Federal Government and brought to the country for trial on terrorism charges.
Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja declined to admit him to bail on the ground that he jumped the earlier one in which Senator Abaribe was his surety.
The IPOB leader has since been in the custody of the DSS on the order of the Federal High Court, Abuja, even though he pleaded not guilty to the offence.
Nnamdi Kanu is currently facing treasonable felony charges brought against him by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
