As more reactions trail Nnamdi Kanu’s A-court discharge judgement:
* FG must release him – Igbo lawyers
* Buhari should honour his words – Bishop Onuoha
* Greg Ibe advocates political solution
* Time for govt to consider some issues raised by Kanu – Abia lawmaker
By Steve Oko
As more reactions continue to trail Thursday’s Appeal Court judgement which discharged and acquitted the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, of all counts of terrorism charge preferred against him by the Federal Government, Igbo Lawyers Association, ILA, has said that the Federal Government had lost the legality to keep holding him in custody.
This is as the Abia State governorship candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, Professor Greg Ibe has urged the Federal Government to heed appeals for political solution to permanently resolve the issues concerning Kanu.
In the same vein, Co-Chair of Interfaith Peace and Dialogue Forum, Bishop Sunday Onuoha, has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to honour his promise to a delegation of Igbo elders when he promised not to meddle in the matter but abide by the rule of law.
Bishop Onuoha argued that the Federal Government should first obey the court order by releasing Kanu even if it had the intension of appealing the judgement.
The cleric who was part of the delegation that had audience with the President concerning Kanu, advised Buhari to avoid being seen as encouraging lawlessness.
Similarly, the member representing Aba South state constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Obinna Ichita, has advised the Federal Government to consider some of the issues being raised by Kanu and his followers with a view to permanently addressing them in the overall interest of the country.
The lawmaker who hailed the judgement, said it would help restore peace to the South East.
He commended the Judges of the Court of Appeal for their objectivity and professionalism in handling the matter.
His words: “The judgement is another boost to the effort to deepen democracy in our land; It speaks to the independence and erudition of the judiciary.
The lawmaker noted that “the spontaneous excitement across the length and breadth of the land following the judgement validate the argument that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is an important factor in any conversation towards finding a lasting solution to the challenges in the South East in particular and in Nigeria in general.”
Wawa News Global had reported that the appellate court held that the Federal Government flouted the Terrorism Act, and violated all known International Conventions and Treaties guiding extradition process thus, breaching Kanu’s fundamental rights.
The court further held that having illegally and forcefully renditioned the IPOB Leader from Kenya, “the trial court is stripped of jurisdiction to continue to try him”.
But the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami after the judgement said that the government would explore other legal options to put Kanu on trial.
But Igbo lawyers, in a swift response, lambasted Malami for his position, arguing that the Federal Government has no excuses not to obey the court judgement.
ILA Coordinator and Immediate Past Vice Chairman, Nigeria Bar Association, Aba branch, Victor Onweremmadu, said that ” AGF’s view on the matter is wrong and could amount to contempt of court.”
His words: “You cannot build something on nothing, it will crumble and that is what Malami is doing. He started on a wrong footing and the court is saying he can’t continue but he is saying that he must.
“That is wrong and can amount to contempt of court arising from disobedience to court judgement.
“As long as Nnamdi Kanu is in Nigeria through that forceful abduction, there can be no more trial on the matter because the trial court is barred”, he said.
Igbo lawyers body argued that the legal process of stay of execution applies only in civil matters but not in criminal matters, hence, “there’s no basis to continue holding the appellant”.
In his reaction, Professor Ibe commended the judiciary for “affirming its position as the last bastion of hope for the common man in Nigeria by ordering the discharge and acquittal of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”
He extolled the forthrightness of the three-man panel of the Court of Appeal that delivered what he described as “altruistic but legally sound judgment”.
The APGA governorship candidate pleaded with the Federal Government to resist the temptation of appealing the landmark judgement.
Professor Ibe who advised Malami to reconsider his position on the matter, advocated political solution as a way of finding lasting remedies that would “engender peace while enhancing oneness and inclusivity”.
The governorship hopeful said that Kanu’s release would help to stop the current Monday sit-at-homes that have destroyed the economy of South East.
” Federal Government should not let the opportunity of restoring normalcy to the South East region slip off”, Professor Ibe advised.
Bishop Onuoha who spoke exclusively with Sunday Vanguard, reminded President Buhari that the world is watching him to know how he would handle the issue of Nnamdi Kanu.
His words:” When we met with Mr President last year, he assured us that he would want the rule of law to take its course. So, since he has spoken to say he wants the rule of law, and a court of competent jurisdiction has said that Kanu is innocent, the President must honour his own words.
” May Nigerians and the international community never perceive this Government as being lawless.
” Mr President told us he wanted to toe the path of the law. Those who work with him should ensure that the words of Mr President are honoured and respected”.
Meanwhile, Kanu’s family has described the judgement as ” victory for all”.
Kanu’s younger brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu who spoke for the family, also described the judgement as ” victory for the living and the dead” .
He said the family was not surprised with the landmark judgement ” because we knew that one day it was going to come to an end”.
Prince Emmanuel in an exclusive chat with Sunday Vanguard, said he expected the Federal Government to comply with the judgement.
His words: “The ruling didn’t come to us as a surprise because we knew that one day it was going to come to an end.
” It’s a victory to all – not just the family but to the entire Biafra nation and their millions of sympathizers.
” It’s victory for the living and the dead including our parents who passed on in the course of this struggle.
” Nigeria should comply because it’s an order by her own court of competent jurisdiction. It’s also in line with the UN Opinion on Human Rights Commission. So, Nigeria has no excuses to disobey her own court beside the UN Opinion”.
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. 
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