Respect Kanu's fundamental human rights, S'East monarchs, Igbo archbishops tell court * Want FG to initiate steps for political solution

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Respect Kanu’s fundamental human rights, S’East monarchs, Igbo archbishops tell court

* Want FG to initiate steps for political solution

By Steve Oko

South East Council of Traditional Rulers and Representatives of Igbo Archbishops and

Bishops have expressed worry over complaints by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB on the difficulties it is having with the Department of State Services DSS to access its detained Leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

The monarchs and top clerics also expressed displeasure over the way the Federal High Court Abuja is handling Kanu’s matter, and called on the court to respect Kanu’s fundamental human rights.

According to the eminent Igbo stakeholders, the way Kanu’s case is being handled confirms the fear in some quarters that there are plans to try him secretly.

The Igbo monarchs and clergy in a press statement urged the federal government to quickly initiate steps towards political resolution of Kanu’s case in the interest of peace in South East.

They also commended IPOB for heeding appeals and wise counsel from the elders by calling off its sit-at-home which would have disrupted the November 6 governoship election in Anambra.

The statement made available to Wawa News Global was jointly signed by the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe; Catholic Bishop of Owerri, His Grace, Most Rev. Anthony Obinna; and Methodist Bishop of Umuahia, His Grace, Most Rev. (Dr) Chibuzo Raphael Opoko.

Below is a full text of the statement:

“South East Council of Traditional Rulers and the Representatives of Igbo Archbishops and Bishops commend Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and the entire leadership of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) for listening to our appeal and calling off the sit-at-home order. This has offered some relief to the already distressed social and economic life of our people.

“The Joint Body is relieved that the Anambra State Gubernatorial Election was conducted

without any major incidents or breach of the peace. It also commends the people of Anambra State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Security Forces, the National Peace Committee, and all the other actors who contributed to the successful conduct of the election.

“The Joint Body is highly disturbed by the persistent complaints by the IPOB legal team about the difficulties it encounters in dealing with the Department of State Services (DSS) and, especially, the sad events which occurred during Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s appearance in court last Wednesday, November 10. This Body urges the court to affirm the fundamental rights of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, his

lawyers, and other stakeholders. Failure to do so would lend weight to the suspicion in some quarters of a planned secret trial, as well as neutralise all the efforts being made to establish peace in the

South East.

“The Joint Body acknowledges the statement by the Attorney-General & Minister of Justice,

Mr. Abubakar Malami SAN, in which he affirmed that the Federal Government was open to a political solution to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s case. This statement is in line with the proposal earlier made by this Joint Body and by other well-meaning persons and groups in Nigeria. This Body therefore eagerly

awaits the concrete steps that would be taken in this regard.

“The Joint Body acknowledges the roles played by various other Igbo organizations and groups in fostering peace in the South East zone and calls on all to sustain the current effort until true peace, based on justice and equity, is achieved in our land.

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Steve Oko, Publisher/C.E.O, WaWa News Global. For more information on advert placement and news coverage, contact us on: 08038725600, or via email stevemanofgod2000@yahoo.com; wawanewsglobal@gmail.com Always read WaWa News Global - Your most dependable online news platform for the latest breaking news in Nigeria.