Crime

Nnamdi Kanu Agrees to Conditions for Release Set by Tinubu Administration

Published by Tope Fakinlede on July 3rd, 2024.

Nnamdi Kanu Agrees to Conditions for Release Set by Tinubu Administration

The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has agreed to comply with the terms laid out by the Nigerian government, led by President Bola Tinubu, for his release from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).

This development was revealed by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, who represents the Abia South Senatorial District, following a recent meeting between South-East Senators and the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).

The closed-door meeting, led by Senator Abaribe, included around 15 federal lawmakers. After the meeting, Senator Abaribe voiced his optimism that the Attorney-General would persuade the Federal Government to release Kanu. He highlighted that Kanu’s prolonged detention has exacerbated insecurity and unrest in the South-East region.

Senator Abaribe mentioned that he had personally met with Kanu at the DSS headquarters, where Kanu indicated his willingness to comply with the government’s conditions for his release.

This meeting with the Attorney-General came after South-East governors decided to directly appeal to President Tinubu for Kanu’s release. Additionally, a group of 50 House of Representatives members had earlier urged President Tinubu to instruct the Attorney-General to invoke Section 174 of the Constitution to drop the terrorism-related charges against Kanu.

Kanu’s legal issues began with his arrest in Lagos in October 2015, followed by his bail in April 2017, and subsequent escape during his trial. He was re-arrested in Kenya in June 2021 and has been held by the DSS since. Although the Court of Appeal ordered his release in October 2022, the Supreme Court overturned this decision in December 2023, allowing the government to continue prosecuting him on seven remaining charges.

This ongoing legal battle has continued to draw significant attention and advocacy from lawmakers and leaders in Nigeria’s South-East region.