The Continued Detention of Nnamdi Kanu Against Court Order is Unjustified – Igbo Governors, Leaders Speak up
By Rita Elenwo
South-East Leaders and Governors have said the Federal Government has no reason to continue to keep Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the Leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) after a court had ordered his release.
The leaders who said this during the 2023 Igbo Day Celebration, organised by the Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide and hosted by Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State in Enugu said they have carefully reviewed Kanu’s case and could not find any just reason why he cannot be released.
They noted that the continuous incarceration of Kanu, even after a court of competent jurisdiction had freed him, had worsened the security situation in the zone.
The event which was chaired by Prince Arthur Eze, the Chief Executive Officer, Atlas Oranto Petroleum Limited, had many prominent Igbo sons and daughters from the five southeast states, including Rivers and Delta States, in attendance.
Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, the President General of Ohaneze Worldwide, said most of the killings in the zone are blamed on the non-release of Kanu from detention.
The president general said Ohaneze had for several months pleaded with the Federal Government (FG) to release him.
“I hereby once again, on behalf of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide, appeal to the FG to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, more so, when a court of competent jurisdiction in Nigeria had declared him innocent.
“As the president general of Ohaneze Ndigbo, I consider myself a father and it pains me so much when my children are killed on a daily basis.
“It pains me when most of them have both their lives and livelihood destroyed, I will strongly appeal to the FG that in view of the fact that over two years, the situation has persisted. We need to adopt a non-kinetic approach,” he said.
He added that he strongly believed that if Kanu was released and a non-kinetic approach was adopted, the unnecessary killings and destruction of lives and property would be reduced and even stopped.
Iwuanyanwu, who described the Igbo Day celebration as an important event for all Igbos, said the event was the beginning of a turnaround for southeast development and transformation.
In an opening remark, Arthur Eze said it had become necessary for the leadership of Ohanaeze to positively engage the FG for the release of Kanu whose reported health condition attracts huge sympathy.
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