South East leaders demand Kanu’s immediate release
- Say Appeal Court ruling is path to peace
From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia
A joint body of traditional rulers and religious leaders in the South East has joined in the call for immediate release of the detained leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, saying that the recent Court of Appeal judgment which discharged Kanu.
The joint body, known as The South East Council of Traditional Rulers and Representatives of Igbo Archbishops and Bishops, made the call in a statement it issued Tuesday evening, throwing its weight behind the Court of Appeal ruling and urged the federal government to release Kanu without further delay.
The statement, signed by Chairman, Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council, His Majesty, Obi Nnaemeka Achebe; Methodist Archbishop of Umuahia, Most Rev. Dr. Chibuzo R. Opoko; Chairman, Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, His Majesty, Igwe Amb Lawrence Agubuzu; Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Rev. Dr. Valerian M. Okeke; noted that the Appeal Court decision presents an unprecedented opportunity to overcome the challenge of trust that has obstructed the path to peace.
The six-point statement reads:
“The South East Council of Traditional Rulers and Representatives of Igbo Archbishops and Bishops (the Joint Body) was established in fulfillment 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 sub- national zone in Nigeria. The Joint Body has been consistent and persistent in its call for all stakeholders to not relent in the pursuit of peace-building 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 judgment 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 judgment 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.”
