Ohanaeze raises legal team, Igbo leaders to monitor Nnamdi Kanu’s trial

Apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohaneze Ndigbo has broken its silence on the arrest and detention of leader of proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

The group said Kanu must be tried within the ambit of the laws of the country and in line with global best practices.

Ohaneze Ndigbo said this in a communiqué issued at the end of its National Executive Committee meeting held on Saturday at its National Secretariat in Enugu.

Spokesperson for the group, Chief Alex Ogbonnia, released the document to journalists on Sunday.

Ohaneze said to ensure a fair trial of the leader of the IPOB, it had constituted a legal team and eminent Igbo leaders that would be led by its national legal adviser to monitor the proceedings throughout the trial.

The group also aligned itself with grievances of the Igbo youths on the marginalization, the menace of Fulani herdsmen among others.

The six-point resolution read, “That Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has observed with keen interest the recent re-arraignment and consequent trial of our son, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

“That, in as much as Ohanaeze Ndigbo is not averse to his trial, we however submit that he should be tried within the ambit of the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and in line with global best practices.”

It added, “Ohanaeze strongly supports the stand taken by the Southern Governors Forum on anti-open grazing, restructuring, rotation of the President of Nigeria to the South in 2023, and the proposed five per cent share of the Petroleum Industries Bill (PIB) for the host communities.

 

“That we identify with the Igbo youths in their grievances with respect to Igbo marginalization, the menace of the Fulani herdsmen, etc, however, we do not support the use of any form of violence to redress the relative deprivation and prevailing inequality and injustice across the country.”

The group urged Igbo youths to be law-abiding and sheath their sword as well as allow their leaders and stakeholders to address grievances through meaningful dialogue and negotiations.