The Abia State House of Assembly has written an open letter to President Bola Tinubu, urging him to order the unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The appeal follows a resolution adopted by the House on November 10, in which lawmakers described Kanu’s continued detention as an issue of urgent public importance. The motion was moved by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Austin Okezie Meregini, representing Umuahia East.
In the resolution, the Assembly called on the President to invoke Section 174(c) of the Constitution, which empowers the Attorney-General of the Federation to discontinue criminal proceedings through a nolle prosequi. Lawmakers also cited recent presidential pardons granted by President Tinubu as grounds for a similar humanitarian intervention.
In the letter jointly signed by Speaker Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, Deputy Speaker Augustine Okezie, Majority Leader Uchenna Okoro and all 24 members, the Assembly traced Kanu’s history of arrests—from his initial 2015 detention, to his flight from Nigeria after a military raid on his home, to his 2021 extraordinary rendition from Kenya, which they described as a breach of his human rights.
The lawmakers expressed concern over the persistent economic and social disruptions in the South-East, especially the continued “Monday Sit-at-Home” orders, which they linked to Kanu’s detention. They argued that his release would ease tensions, restore economic activity, and promote peace and national reconciliation.
They urged President Tinubu to view Kanu’s release as a strategic political gesture aligned with his agenda for unity and prosperity.
Meanwhile, Kanu’s trial continues at the Federal High Court in Abuja. On November 7, the court fixed November 20 for judgment in his terrorism case after he failed to open his defence within the six days granted by the court. Justice James Omotosho held that Kanu could not claim denial of fair hearing after refusing to use the opportunity provided.
Kanu has argued that his trial is invalid because the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act under which he was charged has been repealed. He insists the charges have no legal foundation and has asked the court to dismiss the case and order his release.
The Federal Government, however, maintains that he must face trial over alleged terrorism and incitement linked to the proscribed IPOB.
On November 10, Kanu filed a fresh motion seeking to stop the November 20 judgment. He argued that the proceedings violated a Supreme Court decision which had struck out one of the counts against him, and that the trial court failed to comply with Section 287(1) of the Constitution, which mandates obedience to Supreme Court judgments.
Discover more from NATIONAL BEAM
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
