In a concerted effort led by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, lawmakers have asserted that the ongoing detention of Nnamdi Kanu is crippling social and economic activities in the South-East region. They claim that unless Kanu is released, this stagnation will persist.
The senators held a closed-door meeting with the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, during which they delivered a letter to President Tinubu, advocating for Kanu’s release.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Abaribe expressed his concerns about the detrimental impact of Kanu’s continued incarceration on the region’s economy and social life. He highlighted that the peaceful demands of the detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader had been hijacked by hoodlums and criminals, resulting in the deaths of innocent people, including security operatives.
Abaribe, the former Deputy Governor of Abia State, revealed that he had met with Kanu at the Department of State Services (DSS) headquarters in Abuja on Monday. Kanu, he said, had agreed to abide by any conditions set for his release.
Senator Abaribe expressed optimism that Kanu’s release would alleviate the tensions and acrimony that have plagued the region since 2021 when Kanu was detained by the DSS. The senators urged the AGF to convey their plea to President Tinubu and use his position to drop all charges against the IPOB leader.
Abaribe also noted that political and religious leaders, along with other stakeholders, have unanimously called for Kanu’s release to restore peace in the region.
Nnamdi Kanu was re-arrested in Kenya in 2021 by the Federal Government and brought to Nigeria to face terrorism charges. Despite pleading not guilty, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja denied him bail, citing his previous bail violation, for which Senator Abaribe was a surety. Kanu remains in DSS custody under the order of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
