S’East Traditional Rulers, Bishops Demand Immediate Release of Nnamdi Kanu

As the Federal Government continues to illegally detain the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) even after a court of competent jurisdiction discharged and acquitted him, South East Council of Traditional Rulers and Representatives of Igbo Archbishops and Bishops on Peace and Conflict Resolution on Tuesday called for his immediate release.

The respected temporal and spiritual leaders who noted the July 20, 2022 opinion of the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who has been in detention for over one year, following his rendition from Kenya in June 2021, said such a move will douse the current tensions across the Southeast and create an atmosphere for collaboration towards a constructive resolution of the issues.

It will be recalled that a three-man panel of the Court of Appeal in Abuja led by Justice Hanatu Sankey had on Thursday, October 13, 2022, held that the Federal High Court lacks the jurisdiction to try Nnamdi Kanu on the grounds of his rendition to Nigeria which violates the protocol on extradition and the OAU convention, and subsequently discharged him.

But Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, claimed that he was only discharged and not acquitted, thereby foreclosing his freedom.

The National Security Council which met subsequently agreed with Malami and advised that Nnamdi Kanu remains behind bars.

Reacting on Tuesday, the traditional rulers and clergy said such a move will be detrimental to the peace of the country.

The statement which was signed by H.M. Obi Nnaemeka Achebe, CFR, DOB, JP, Chairman, Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council; H.M. Igwe Amb L. O. C. Agubuzu, OON, Chairman, Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council; Most Rev. Dr. Chibuzo R. Opoko, TFG, Methodist Archbishop of Umuahia and Most Rev. Dr. Valerian M. Okeke, Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha, said the Appeal Court judgement on Nnamdi Kanu presented “a timely and an unprecedented opportunity to overcome the challenge of trust that has obstructed the path to peace; and opens the window to winning the hearts and minds of the people.”

The statement read:

”The South East Council of Traditional Rulers and Representatives of Igbo Archbishops and Bishops (the Joint Body) was established in fulfilment of the temporal and spiritual leadership mandates inherent to the respective offices of the traditional rulers and church leaders as the moral compass of our constituents, as well as advisors, guides, and mediators in their lives as citizens of our dear nation, Nigeria.

“In the recent past, the Joint Body has undertaken extensive and intense behind-the-scenes consultations with all stakeholders to broker a permanent, regionally coordinated restoration of the South-East to the status as the most peaceful and progressive subnational zone in Nigeria. The Joint Body has been consistent and persistent in its call for all stakeholders to not relent in the pursuit of peacebuilding and resolution of security challenges in the South East based on justice, equity, fairness, love, mutual understanding, and respect of all persons. In furtherance of this, we have also supported the call for the unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu by the Federal Government to douse the current tensions across the Southeast and create an atmosphere for collaboration towards a constructive resolution of the issues.

“We note the Opinion emanating from the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, regarding the on-going legal action instituted by the Federal Government of Nigeria against Mazi Nnamdi Kanu which was issued on 20th July 2022. Among many recommendations or requests made to the Federal government, the Opinion called for the immediate and unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who has been in detention for over one year, following his rendition from Kenya in June 2021.

“We also note media reports confirming that on Thursday, October 13, 2022, a three-man panel of The Court of Appeal in Abuja led by Justice Hanatu Sankey held that the Federal High Court lacks the jurisdiction to try Mazi Nnamdi Kanu on the grounds of his rendition to Nigeria which violates the protocol on extradition and the OAU convention, and subsequently discharged Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

“We welcome this judgement and assert that the wisdom of the Appellate Court presents a timely and an unprecedented opportunity to overcome the challenge of trust that has obstructed the path to peace; and opens the window to winning the hearts and minds of the people. We therefore unequivocally support the call for the immediate release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in line with the unanimous judgement of the Court that his extradition and subsequent trial was illegal, and the lower court had no jurisdiction to hear the case.

“In conclusion, the march towards peace and the restoration of normalcy in our society and economy requires the collective action of all people of God. We are confident that all Nigerians will rise to the summons of History and act with courage, conviction and integrity.”