Senators from Nigeria’s South East region have held a meeting with the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, seeking the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
The delegation, led by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe representing Abia South, comprised about 15 federal lawmakers.
Though the meeting was held privately, Senator Abaribe expressed optimism that the AGF would persuade the Federal Government to release Kanu.
He argued that Kanu’s continued detention has exacerbated insecurity and agitation in the South East, hindering social and economic activities.
Abaribe also disclosed that Kanu, whom he had visited at the Department of State Services (DSS) headquarters, is willing to comply with any conditions set by the Federal Government for his release.
This initiative follows a recent resolution by all South East governors to appeal directly to President Bola Tinubu for Kanu’s freedom.
Additionally, around 50 House of Representatives members from various regions have urged President Tinubu to direct the AGF to invoke Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution to terminate the terrorism-related charges against Kanu at the Abuja Federal High Court.
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Kanu’s legal journey began with his arrest on October 14, 2015, in Lagos upon his return from the United Kingdom. After spending about 18 months in detention, he was granted bail on health grounds on April 25, 2017.
Kanu was released from Kuje prison on April 28, 2017, but later fled the country following a military operation at his home in Umuahia, Abia State, resulting in the deaths of some of his followers. His surety, Senator Abaribe, subsequently applied to withdraw from the case, resulting in a court order to forfeit his N100 million bond.
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Kanu was re-arrested in Kenya on June 19, 2021, and brought back to Nigeria on June 27, 2021. Since then, he has been detained by the DSS.
On April 8, 2022, the court dismissed eight of the 15 charges against him, and on October 13, 2022, the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal ordered his release and quashed the remaining charges.
However, the Federal Government appealed to the Supreme Court, which on December 15, 2023, overturned the appellate court’s judgement, allowing the trial on the remaining charges to proceed.
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