Senators from Nigeria’s South-East region have met with the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, to demand the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The meeting, which took place behind closed doors, was led by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, representing Abia South.
Despite the private nature of the discussions, Senator Abaribe expressed optimism that the AGF would persuade the Federal Government to release Kanu.
He emphasized that Kanu’s continued detention was a major factor behind the rising insecurity and unrest in the South East.
“Unless Kanu is released, social and economic activities within the region would remain stagnant,” Abaribe stated.
Abaribe also revealed that he had met with Kanu at the Department of State Services (DSS) headquarters, where Kanu agreed to comply with any conditions set by the Federal Government for his release.
This meeting follows a recent resolution by all South-East governors to approach President Bola Tinubu to advocate for Kanu’s release.
Additionally, about 50 members of the House of Representatives, identifying as “Concerned Federal Lawmakers for Peace and Security in the South-East,” have urged President Tinubu to direct the AGF to terminate the terrorism-related charges against Kanu under Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution.
Kanu’s legal troubles began with his arrest in Lagos on October 14, 2015, upon his return from the United Kingdom. Granted bail on health grounds by Justice Binta Nyako on April 25, 2017, Kanu was released from Kuje prison three days later. However, he fled the country after an invasion of his home by soldiers in September 2017, leading to a court order for Senator Abaribe to forfeit the N100 million bond he posted as Kanu’s surety.
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. Although a court struck out eight of the 15 charges against him on April 8, 2022, and the Court of Appeal ordered his release on October 13, 2022, the Federal Government’s appeal to the Supreme Court has kept him in custody. On December 15, 2023, the Supreme Court vacated the appellate court’s judgment, allowing the trial on the remaining seven charges to proceed.
The senators’ latest efforts reflect a growing push within Nigeria’s political landscape to address the contentious issue of Kanu’s detention and its implications for peace and stability in the South-East.