The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has once again called on President Muhammadu Buhari to release Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
During the flag-off ceremony of the Oguta/Orashi Rivers dredging project in Oguta Local Government Area, Imo State, which was broadcast live on Channels TV, President-General of Ohanaeze, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, conveyed this request. The event was attended by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, who represented President Buhari.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Iwuanyanwu made the plea on behalf of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, representing over 60 million Igbo people. He emphasized the need for President Buhari to release Nnamdi Kanu.
Contrary to claims that the release of the IPOB leader would lead to secession by the Igbo-speaking people of the South-east, Mr. Iwuanyanwu firmly stated that such allegations were unfounded. He highlighted the presence of Igbo investments across the country, affirming that secession was not the intention of the Igbo community.
Mr. Iwuanyanwu, as the president-general of Ohanaeze, conveyed this message to President Buhari, reminding him of his honorary membership in the organization. He urged the President to release Nnamdi Kanu before the end of his tenure.
Recurring Call for Release
Ohanaeze Ndigbo and other Igbo groups have consistently appealed to President Buhari for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, who has been in the custody of Nigeria’s secret police, the State Security Service (SSS).
Shortly after assuming office as the new president-general of Ohanaeze, Mr. Iwuanyanwu expressed his determination to meet with President Buhari and secure the release of the IPOB leader.
IPOB’s quest for an independent republic, Biafra, encompassing the South-east and parts of the South-south, has been spearheaded by Nnamdi Kanu and the group.
Background
Nnamdi Kanu was initially arrested in 2015 but was granted bail in April 2017. Following a military invasion of his home in Afara-Ukwu, near Umuahia, Abia State, in September of the same year, he fled the country.
In June 2021, he was apprehended in Kenya and extradited to Nigeria, four years after his escape.
On October 13, the Court of Appeal in Abuja declared that the IPOB leader was unlawfully rendered to Nigeria, in violation of the country’s extradition treaty and his fundamental human rights. Consequently, the court dismissed the terrorism charges filed against Mr. Kanu by the Nigerian government and ordered his release from SSS custody.
However, the government refused to release him, citing concerns that his availability for subsequent court proceedings would be compromised, and his release could lead to insecurity in the South-east.
The government, through the Attorney-General of the Federation, appealed the court’s ruling and obtained a stay of execution order from the Supreme Court, halting Mr. Kanu’s release.
Mr. Kanu is currently challenging the stay of execution order at the Supreme Court, contending that the Appeal Court judges erred in halting the implementation of their own order that granted him freedom.
