S’East council of traditional rulers, archbishops demand Kanu’s unconditional release

S’East council of traditional rulers, archbishops demand Kanu’s unconditional release

By Steve Oko

Five days after the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja discharged and acquitted the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu of all counts of terrorism charge leveled against him by the Federal Government of Nigeria, South East Council of Traditional Rulers; and Representatives of Archbishops and Bishops of Igbo extraction, have demanded his immediate and unconditional release.

The demand is contained in a press statement issued Tuesday by the monarchs and respected clerics.

They argued that the release of Mazi Kanu would help to reduce the mounting tension in the South East, and also restore peace in the zone.

The strong-worded statement was jointly signed by the Chairman Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council and the Obi of Onitsha, HRM Obi Nnaemeka Achebe; his Enugu State counterpart, HRM Igwe LOC Agubuzu; Methodist Bishop of Umuahia Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Chibuzo R. Opoko; and the Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Rev. Dr. Valerian M. Okeke.

According to the South East Leaders, the Federal Government has no excuse to further keep Kanu in custody after the UN Opinion and a court of competent jurisdiction have respectively ordered his release.

The statement made available to Wawa News Global read in part:” In furtherance of this, we have also supported the call for the unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu by the Federal Government to douse the current tensions across the Southeast and create an atmosphere for collaboration towards a constructive resolution of the issues.

“We note the Opinion emanating from the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary
Detention, regarding the on-going legal action instituted by the Federal Government of
Nigeria against Mazi Nnamdi Kanu which was issued on 20th July 2022. Among many
recommendations or requests made to the Federal government, the Opinion called for the
immediate and unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who has been in detention
for over one year, following his rendition from Kenya in June 2021.

“We also note media reports confirming that on Thursday, October 13, 2022, a three-man
panel of The Court of Appeal in Abuja led by Justice Hanatu Sankey held that the Federal
High Court lacks the jurisdiction to try Mazi Nnamdi. Kanu on the grounds of his
rendition to Nigeria which violates the protocol on extradition and the OAU convention,
and subsequently discharged Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

“We welcome this judgement and assert that the wisdom of the Appellate Court presents
a timely and an unprecedented opportunity to overcome the challenge of trust that has
obstructed the path to peace; and opens the window to winning the hearts and minds of
the people.

” We, therefore, unequivocally support the call for the immediate release of Mazi
Nnamdi Kanu in line with the unanimous judgement of the Court that his extradition and subsequent trial was illegal, and the lower court had no jurisdiction to hear the case.

“In conclusion, the march towards peace and the restoration of normalcy in our society
and economy requires the collective action of all people of God. We are confident that all
Nigerians will rise to the summons of History and act with courage, conviction and
integrity.”

According to the statement, the Joint body has been consistent and persistent in its call for all stakeholders not to relent in the pursuit of peace building and resolution of security challenges in the South East based on justice, equity, fairness, love, mutual understanding, and respect of all persons.

“The South East Council of Traditional Rulers and Representatives of Igbo Archbishops
and Bishops was established in fulfilment of the temporal and spiritual leadership mandates inherent to the respective offices of the traditional rulers and church leaders as the moral compass of our constituents, as well as advisors, guides, and mediators in their lives as citizens of our dear nation, Nigeria”, the statement added.

Vanguard checks revealed that the Joint Body has undertaken extensive and intense behind-the-scenes consultations with all stakeholders to broker a permanent, regionally coordinated
restoration of the South-East to the status as the most peaceful and progressive subnational zone in Nigeria.

End

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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