On Wednesday, lawmakers from Nigeria’s South-East region in the House of Representatives voiced their support for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The legislators urged President Bola Tinubu to consider releasing Kanu and others in similar situations.
The South-East caucus, which includes 43 lawmakers from Anambra, Abia, Enugu, Imo, and Ebonyi States, issued a statement calling for action. The statement was endorsed by key House members, including:
- Deputy Speaker Benjamin Okezie Kalu (Abia)
- Deputy Minority Whip George Ozodinobi (Anambra)
- Leader of the South-East Caucus Enwo Igariwey (Ebonyi)
- Deputy Leader of the Caucus Nnolim Nnaji (Enugu)
- Secretary of the Caucus Miriam Onuoha (Imo)
Additional signatories included:
- From Abia State: Aguocha Obinna, Nkwonta Chris, Onwusibe Ginger, Ogah Amobi Alozie, Munachim Ikechi, Mascot Ikwechegh, and Ibe Osonwa.
- From Anambra State: Afam Ogene, Agbodike Paschal, Dominic Ifeanyi, Gwacham Chinwe, Okonkwo Harris, Orogbu Obiageli, Peter Uzokwe, Emeka Obiajulu, Chinwe Clara, and Aniekwe Udogalanya.
- From Ebonyi State: Chinedu Ogah, Uguru Emmanuel, Nwachukwu Eze, Nwabasi Joseph, and Kama Nkemkanma.
- From Enugu State: Martins Oke, Atigwe Simon, Anayo Onwuegbu, Nnamchi Sunday, Chimaobi Sam, Sunday Umeha, and Obetta Chidi.
- From Imo State: Chike Okafor, Emeka Chinedu, Okere Chinedu, Nwachukwu Moore, Dibiagwu Okechukwu, Nwogu Mathew, Ikenga Ugochinyere, Amadi Etinosa, and Harrison Nwadike.
The lawmakers emphasized that an out-of-court settlement would be the best solution, aiming to restore peace in the South-East region. The statement read:
“A few days ago, at the resumed hearing of the case against Mazi Nnamdi Kanu currently pending at an Abuja Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Binta Nyako, the issue of the out-of-court settlement of the matter was discussed between Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer, and the Attorney General and Minister of Justice.
“According to newspaper reports, and our verified accounts of proceedings from those who were in court on that day, the court displayed sufficient support for the out-of-court settlement of this case, being one of the acceptable canons of dispute resolution in our civil and criminal jurisprudence.
“As a caucus of the House of Representatives from where Mazi Nnamdi Kanu hails, we have taken liberty, in consonance with parliamentary practice, to seek the support of other regional caucuses of the House of Representatives, to achieve a quick and responsible resolution of the seemingly intractable Mazi Nnamdi Kanu case, a legal impasse that is undoubtedly the missing puzzle in solving the lingering security conundrum in the South-East of Nigeria.
“As representatives of the five South-East states in the House of Representatives, we respectfully urge Mr. President to consider the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and his detained followers.
“We firmly believe that a political resolution through an out-of-court settlement, as advocated before Justice Binta Nyako, is the quickest, most effective, and honorable way to close this difficult and painful chapter in our national history.”
The lawmakers stressed the importance of a political resolution and expressed hope that this step would lead to peace and stability in the South-East region.