Hope for Nnamdi Kanu as South-East governors seek release in meeting with Tinubu

Published by

Kayode Ogunwale

Key Points

South-East governors have resolved to meet President Bola Tinubu to seek the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Nnamdi Kanu, facing terrorism charges, has been in detention since June 2021 following a controversial rearrest and extradition from Kenya to Nigeria.
After a closed-door meeting, the governors issued a communiqué stating their intention to appeal for Kanu’s release and to address insecurity in the South-East region.

The governors of Nigeria’s South East region have resolved to meet President Bola Tinubu to seek the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Why Pleading on Behalf of Kanu

Kanu is facing terrorism charges at the Federal High Court in Abuja. He has been in detention since his controversial rearrest in June 2021 when he was brought back to Nigeria from Kenya. This act of rendition was carried out under circumstances that have sparked international debate and criticism.

The governors of Imo (Hope Uzodimma), Ebonyi (Francis Nwifuru), Abia (Alex Otti), Anambra (Charles Soludo), and their Enugu State counterpart, Peter Mbah, held a closed-door meeting in Enugu on Tuesday to address this issue.

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Governors’ Statement at the End of The Meeting

In a communiqué issued after their meeting, the forum announced their resolution to seek the release of the IPOB leader.

Also read: IPOB’s Nnamdi Kanu Pays $80,000 A Month to American Lobbyists

The Chairperson of the forum and Governor of Imo State, Uzodimma, read out the communiqué to reporters, stating that the forum also resolved to tackle insecurity in the South East.

Context and Background on Nnamdi Kanu’s Imprisonment

Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of IPOB, has been a significant figure in the agitation for Biafra’s independence.

He was first arrested in October 2015 on charges including treasonable felony. After being granted bail in April 2017, he fled Nigeria following a military raid on his home during an operation known as “Operation Python Dance” in September 2017.

In June 2021, Kanu was rearrested in Kenya under controversial circumstances that violated international law, as he was forcefully renditioned to Nigeria without proper extradition procedures. This led to further legal battles, and in October 2022, the Court of Appeal in Abuja quashed the terrorism charges against him, citing the illegality of his rendition.

However, the Federal Government has continued to detain him, leading to calls from various groups and individuals for his release, including the recent efforts by the South East governors

Kayode Ogunwale

Kayode has covered the capital market since 2007 as a reporter and Capital Market Editor for major national dallies. He won the Capital Market reporter of the year award at the Nigeria Media Merit Award in 2011.