Around 50 members of the House of Representatives from across Nigeria's six geo-political zones have called on President Bola Tinubu to invoke constitutional powers to release the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, from Department of State Services custody. Operating under the aegis of the Concerned Federal Lawmakers for Peace and Security in the South-East, the group includes representatives from various political parties.
In a letter addressed to
President Tinubu, dated June 19, 2024, the lawmakers urged him to initiate
measures to address insecurity in the South-East. The letter's signatories
include notable figures such as Obi Aguocha (Abia), Ikenga Ugochinyere (Imo),
Afam Ogene (Anambra), Muhammed Jajere (Yobe), Aliyu Mustapha (Kaduna), Midala
Balami (Borno), and Abiante Awaji-Inombek (Rivers). Other signatories include Dominic
Okafor (Anambra), Etanabene Benedict (Delta), Abdulmaleek Danga (Kogi), Shehu
Dalhatu (Katsina), Chinedu Martins (Imo), Matthew Nwogu (Imo), Peter Aniekwe
(Anambra), Koki Sagir (Kano), and Amobi Oga (Abia), among others.
Nnamdi Kanu recently expressed
his desire to have the treason charges against him settled out of court and
condemned the killings in the South-East resulting from IPOB's separatist
agitation.
The lawmakers' letter urged
President Tinubu to instruct the Attorney-General of the Federation and
Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, to use his nolle prosequi powers under
Section 174(1) of the Constitution and Section 107(1) of the Administration of
Criminal Justice Act, 2015, to release Kanu and discontinue his trial. They
referenced a similar gesture extended by the President through the Attorney
General to activist Omoyele Sowore, who faced treasonable felony charges.
"Your Excellency, we are
concerned members of the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria with a strong belief and trust that the Renewed Hope Agenda and the
various positive reforms would be seen and felt by all. It is against this
backdrop that we, the undersigned, hereby beseech Your Excellency to direct the
Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef
Fagbemi SAN, to invoke his powers of nolle prosequi under the provisions of
Section 174(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as
amended) and Section 107(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015,
and cause the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from detention and discontinue his
trial.
"We collectively believe
this is long overdue and would be instrumental in opening the door for
much-needed conversations surrounding peace reformation and inclusivity, as
well as addressing the issues that led to the agitations, especially at this
time when Nigeria is going through several constitutional reforms.
"Your Excellency, we
resolutely believe that this singular act can serve as a pivotal gesture
towards national unity, as it would address some of the political, security,
and economic concerns in the region. It would encourage stakeholders from the South-East
to engage more actively in the national discussions on the renewed hope agenda,
thereby promoting inclusivity and addressing long-standing grievances.
"This, we believe, will
also help dismantle the apparatus of violence and restiveness that has plagued
the region, allowing for a focus on economic growth and development. This comes
at a time when the nation-state is under enormous pressure, including but not
limited to unemployment, insecurity, hunger, and poverty, thereby de-escalating
tension from all sides."
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