Olayomi Koiki

Abuja – No fewer than fifty federal lawmakers from diverse political parties and regions in Nigeria have written to President Bola Tinubu, appealing for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the illegally detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The group of lawmakers are led by Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, Hon. Obi Aguocha, and Hon. Zakari Nyampa.
The urged the President to invoke Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Section 107(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, to facilitate Kanu’s release from detention.
They expressed belief that the action would significantly contribute to restoring peace in the south-eastern region of the country.
Additionally, the lawmakers requested the President to initiate a presidential peace initiative to address the various challenges and issues affecting the region. Their appeal was outlined in a three-page letter dated June 19, 2024.
The lawmakers urged President Bola Tinubu to direct the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), to utilise his powers under Section 174(1) of the Constitution and Section 107(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 to drop the charges against Kanu and secure his release from detention.
They noted that this gesture would pave the way for meaningful conversations on peace restoration, inclusivity, and addressing the underlying issues driving agitations.
The lawmakers pointed out that Tinubu has extended similar courtesies to others, including Omoyele Sowore and Sunday Adeyemo Igboho, through the office of the Attorney General.
They lamented the dire situation in the south-west, marked by security breakdown, economic downturn, displacement of families, and business closures.
By addressing these challenges, the lawmakers said, the president can demonstrate his commitment to upholding the principles of rule of law, justice, and fairness, which are essential to democracy.
This move would also set a precedent for resolving issues through dialogue, fostering peace initiatives, economic revitalisation, and a sense of belonging among South-East citizens, the lawmakers said.
They expressed optimism that the president’s positive response would cement his legacy as a champion of national unity, peace, and progress.
In their letter, the lawmakers said releasing Kanu “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 said: “It would encourage stakeholders from the Southeast to engage more actively in the national discussions on the renewed hope agenda thereby promoting inclusivity and addressing long-standing grievances.
“This we belief will also help in dismantling the apparatus of violence and restiveness that has plagued the region, allowing for a focus on economic growth and development.
“Also, it is coming at a time the nation-state is under enormous pressures, including but not limited to unemployment, insecurity, hunger and poverty, thereby deescalating tension from all sides.
“Moreso, we as key actors in the renewed hope agenda of Your Excellency are not unmindful of the fact that Your Excellency has extended this gesture through the office of the Attorney General in the charge involving Omoyele Sowore wherein, he was charged with treasonable felony in Charge No FHC/ABJ CR/235/2019, Sunday Igboho, etc.
“All these recorded tremendous successes especially the crisis within the North Central, North-Eastern, and South-South regions, not forgetting peace efforts in the Niger-Delta region which have helped in so many ways.
“The establishment of the North East Development Commission, Ministry of the Niger-Delta, Niger-Delta Development Commission, Presidential Amnesty, various host community laws, etc. were all commitments to show good faith to the plight of the people as well as resolving regional conflicts.”
They noted that they are convinced that “fixing the challenges in the South-East would go a long way in changing the narrative and showcase your commitment to upholding the principle of Rule of Law, Justice and Fairness, which are the bedrock of our democracy”.
They said the “benefits of such a bold and compassionate act are manifold”.
The lawmakers’ letter said: “It would pave the way for peace initiatives, economic revitalization and a renewed sense of belonging among the citizens of the southeast. It would also enhance your administration’s legacy as one that prioritizes national unity, peace and progress.
“We are hopeful that you will consider this request with the gravity it deserves and take the necessary steps to bring about a new era of peace and inclusivity in Nigeria. Thank you, your Excellency for your attention to this important matter and we look forward to a positive response.”
The listed signatories include Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere (Imo), Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere (Imo), Hon. Aliyu Mustapha (Kaduna), Hon. Midala Balami (Borno), Hon. Afam Ogene (Anambra), Hon. Dominic Okafor (Anambra), Hon. Etanabene Benedict (Delta), Hon. Shehu Dalhatu (Katsina), Hon. Chinedu Emeka Martins (Imo), Hon. Matthew Nwogu (Imo), and Hon. Muhammed Buba Jagere (Yobe).
Others are Hon. Peter Aniekwe (Anambra), Hon. Koki Sagir (Kano), Hon. Amobi Oga (Abia), Hon. Gwacham Chinwe (Anambra), Hon. Uchenna Okonkwo (Anambra), Hon. Abdulmaleek Danga (Kogi), Hon. Osi Nkemkama (Ebonyi), Hon. Mark Useni (Taraba), Hon. Alexander Mascot (Abia), Hon. Philip Agbese (Benue), Hon. Ginger Onwusibe Obinna (Abia), Hon. Zakari Nyampa (Adamawa), Hon. Jamo Aminu (Katsina), among others.
Others are Hon. Emeka Idu Obiajulu (Anambra), Hon. Nnabuife Chinwe Clara (Anambra), Hon. Ukodhiko Jonathan (Delta), Hon. Akingbaso Olarewaju (Ondo), Hon. Lilian Obiageli Orogbu (Anambra), Hon. Marcus Onobu (Edo), Hon. Chinedu Obika (FCT Abuja), Hon. Billy Osawaru (Edo), Hon.Ojuawo Rufus Adeniyi (Ekiti), Hon. Okoli Ngozi Lawrence (Delta), Hon.Ezechi Nnamdi (Delta), Hon. Alozie Munachim Ikechi(Abia), Hon. Nkwonta Chris (Abia), Hon. Nnamchi Paul Sunday (Enugu), Hon. Obetta Mark Chidi (Enugu), Hon. Tochi Okere Chinedu (Imo), Hon. Uguru Emmanuel (Ebonyi), Hon. Joseph Nwaobasi (Ebonyi), Hon. Onwugbu Befford Anayo (Enugu), Hon. Atu Chimaobi Sam (Enugu), and Hon. Sunday Cyriacus Umeha (Enugu).
Mr Kanu’s initial arrest in 2015 triggered protests by his supporters.
In 2017, Justice Binta Nyako of a Federal High Court in Abuja granted Kanu bail.
Upon his release, a military invasion of his ancestral home in Umuahia, Abia State, in September 2017, forced into exile, hence he did not attend his trial on the next scheduled date and thereafter.
From then till June 2021 when he was abducted from Kenya and was subjected to “extraordinary rendition”, and brought back to Nigeria, there has been a robust public debate as to whether he jumped bail or not.
But, the Appeal Court had discharged and acquitted Kanu of all terrorism charges.
This judgment was later overturned by the Supreme Court which transferred the case back to the Federal High Court.
Kanu’s attorney, Aloy Ejimakor, in January, clarified that the Supreme Court had settled the controversy on whether Kanu jumped bail or not.
The attorney said the Supreme Court also clarified that Kanu’s bail “should not have been revoked”.
In the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment delivered in December 2023, the apex court declared that Kanu did not jump bail.
IPOB wants a group of states in the south-east of Nigeria, which mostly comprises the Igbo ethnic group, to break away from the country and form an independent nation called Biafra.
In 1967 Igbo leaders declared independence for the state of Biafra, but after a civil war, which led to the deaths of millions of people, the self-determination movement was defeated.
But the idea of Biafra has never gone away and despite arrests of his members, Mr Kanu’s movement has seen a recent swell in its numbers.

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