In a plea to the Federal Government, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex socio-political group, is urging the release of Nnamdi Kanu as a Christmas gesture for the South-East.
Chief Damian Okeke-Ogene, the Vice-President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, emphasized the overdue nature of Kanu’s release, citing past court rulings that declared him not guilty.
“We don’t want to dwell much on the politics about the release of Kanu. If he is released on December 15, it is long overdue because competent courts of jurisdiction have on two occasions found him not guilty and also released him, but till now, nothing was done about it,” said Okeke-Ogene.
The Vice-President expressed concern that the failure to release Kanu would cast a shadow over Christmas for the South-East. He called on President Bola Tinubu to emulate the approach of former Presidents Yar’Adua and Jonathan in resolving regional issues.
“Kanu should be a free man from December 15, and anything short of that has dashed the hope of the whole of the people of South-East this Christmas. If he is not released, it will be a black Christmas in the region,” warned Okeke-Ogene.
Okeke-Ogene also criticized the Federal Government’s handling of the autopilot arm of IPOB led by Simon Ekpa. He emphasized the need for diplomatic solutions, stating,
“As far as we know, there is a group now using the agitation to cause insecurity in the region.”
On the approaching Supreme Court judgment, IPOB, through its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, raised concerns over the promotion of Justice Tsammani Haruna, alleging potential influence on the panel’s decision.
“IPOB hopes that Justice Tsammani Haruna was not hastily promoted to the Supreme Court to influence the panel that will deliver the judgment on Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s case on December 15, 2023.
“It is unlawful for a judge to stay the execution order on a declaratory judgment of the Appeal Court and be made to sit on the Supreme Court to further decide on that case.
“Nevertheless, Justice Tsammani Haruna turned the law on its head and stayed the execution of the Appeal Court judgment that declared the kidnap and extraordinary rendition of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu as unlawful.”
| Punch Newspaper
