S’East traditional rulers, bishops demand immediate release of Kanu after A’court verdict

The South-East council of traditional rulers and representatives of Igbo archbishops and bishops on peace and conflict resolution has demanded the immediate release of leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, after the appeal court quashed charges leveled against him.

Their request was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday, signed by Nnaemeka Achebe, chairman, Anambra State traditional rulers council; Chibuzo Opoko, Methodist archbishop of Umuahia; L.O.C. Agubuzu, chairman of the Enugu state traditional rulers council; and Valerian Okeke, Catholic archbishop of Onitsha.

The court of appeal in Abuja on October 13 struck out the terrorism charge filed against Kanu, adding that the IPOB leader’s extradition from Kenya to Nigeria to stand trial was illegal.

But following the verdict, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, had said the Federal Government would explore “all available options” to determine the charge preferred against Kanu.

The council said its decision on the immediate release of the IPOB leader is in line with the appeal court verdict.

“We welcome this judgement and assert that the wisdom of the Appellate Court presents a timely and unprecedented opportunity to overcome the challenge of trust that has obstructed the path to peace; and opens the window to winning the hearts and minds of the people,” the statement read.

It also stated, “We therefore unequivocally support the call for the immediate release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in line with the unanimous judgement of the Court that his extradition and subsequent trial was illegal, and the lower court had no jurisdiction to hear the case.”