Breaking: Lawmakers demands Nnamdi Kanu release to aid peace in South East

A coalition of about 50 federal lawmakers from diverse political parties and regions, concerned about peace and security in the South East, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to invoke relevant constitutional provisions and criminal justice laws to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, and help restore peace in the region.

The lawmakers, representing various political parties and geopolitical zones from across the country, also urged President Tinubu to launch a comprehensive presidential peace initiative aimed at addressing the myriad of issues and challenges plaguing the Southeast region of Nigeria, with the goal of fostering lasting peace, stability, and development in the area.

These were contained in a 3 page letter signed by the lawmakers, dated June 19, 2024 and addressed to Mr President. The signatories are Hon. Obi Aguocha (Abia), Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere (Imo), Hon. Aliyu Mustapha (Kaduna), Hon. Midala Balami (Borno), Hon. Afam Ogene (Anambra), Hon. Abiante Awaji-Inombek (Rivers),
Hon. Dominic Okafor (Anambra), Hon. Etanabene Benedict (Delta), Hon. Shehu Dalhatu (Katsina), Hon.Chinedu Emeka Martins (Imo), Hon. Matthew Nwogu (Imo), Hon. Muhammed Buba Jagere(Yobe),
Hon. Peter Aniekwe (Anambra), Hon. Koki Sagir (Kano), Hon.Amobi Oga(Abia), Hon. Gwacham Chinwe (Anambra), Hon. Uchenna Okonkwo (Anambra), Hon. Abdulmaleek Danga( Kogi ), Hon. Osi Nkemkama (Ebonyi),
Others are, Hon. Mark Useni (Taraba), Hon. Alexander Mascot (Abia), Hon. Philip Agbese (Benue), Hon. Ginger Onwusibe Obinna(Abia), Hon. Zakari Nyampa (Adamawa), Hon. Jamo Aminu (Katsina), and Hon. Emeka Idu Obiajulu (Anambra), Hon.Nnabuife Chinwe Clara(Anambra), Hon. Ukodhiko Jonathan (Delta), Hon. Akingbaso Olarewaju(Ondo), Hon. Lilian Obiageli Orogbu(Anambra), Hon.Marcus Onobu(Edo), Hon.Chinedu Obika (FCT Abuja), Hon.Billy Osawaru (Edo) , Hon.Ojuawo Rufus Adeniyi (Ekiti), Hon.Okoli Ngozi Lawrence (Delta), Hon.Ezechi Nnamdi ( Delta), Hon. Alozie Munachim Ikechi(Abia), Hon.Nkwonta Chris (Abia), Hon.Nnamchi Paul Sunday (Enugu), Hon. Obetta Mark Chidi( Enugu), Hon. Tochi Okere Chinedu (Imo), Hon. Uguru Emmanuel (Ebonyi), Hon.Joseph Nwaobasi (Ebonyi), Hon.Onwugbu Befford Anayo (Enugu), Hon.Atu Chimaobi Sam(Enugu), Hon.Sunday Cyriacus Umeha (Enugu), Hon. Anthony Adepoju (Oyo)

They urged the President to direct the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN to invoke his powers of nolle prosequi under the provisions of Section 174(1) of the Constitution and Section 107(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 and cause the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from detention and discontinue his trial.

According to the lawmakers, they believe it is long overdue and would be instrumental in opening the door for much-needed conversations surrounding peace restoration and inclusivity as well as addressing the issues that led to the agitations.

They recalled that the President extended this gesture through the office of the Attorney General in the charge involving Omoyele Sowore wherein, he was charged with treasonable felony in Charge No FHC/ABJ CR/235/2019, Sunday Igboho and so on.

The concerned legislators lamented that the South-East is in turmoil and unsafe for various reasons including breakdown of security, downturn of economic activities, families are running away from their homes and businesses are crumbling.

They therefore opined that fixing the challenges in the South-East would go a long way in changing the narrative and showcase his commitment to upholding the principle of Rule of Law, Justice and Fairness, which are the bedrock of our democracy.

They also opined that it would also set a precedent for addressing issues through dialogue rather than prolonged political cum judicial persecution and pave the way for peace initiatives, economic revitalization and a renewed sense of belonging among the citizens of the southeast.

Expressing optimism on a positive response from the President, the concerned lawmakers added that this will enhance President Tinubu’s administration’s legacy as one that prioritizes national unity, peace and progress.

The letter read in part, “Your Excellency, We are concerned Members of the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with a strong belief and trust that the RENEWED HOPE agenda of His Excellency and the various positive reforms would be seen and felt by all. It is at the backdrop of the foregoing that we the undersigned hereby beseech Your Excellency to direct the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN to invoke his powers of nolle prosequi under the provisions of Section 174(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as Amended) and Section 107(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 and cause the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from detention and discontinue his trial which we collectively believe is long overdue and would be instrumental in opening the door for much-needed conversations surrounding peace reformation and inclusivity as well as addressing the issues that led to the agitations, especially at this time Nigeria is going through several Constitutional reforms.

“Your Excellency, we resolutely believe that this singular act can serve as a pivotal gesture towards national unity as it would address some of the Political, Security and Economic concerns in the region. It would encourage stakeholders from the Southeast to engage more actively in the national discussions on the renewed hope agenda thereby promoting inclusivity and addressing long-standing grievances. This we belief will also help in dismantling the apparatus of violence and restiveness that has plagued the region, allowing for a focus on economic growth and development. Also, . is coming at a time the nation-state is under enormous pressures, including but not limited to unemployment, insecurity, hunger and poverty, thereby deescalating tension from all sides.

“Moreso, we as key actors in the renewed hope agenda of Your Excellency are not unmindful of the fact that Your Excellency has extended this gesture through the office of the Attorney General in the charge involving Omoyele Sowore wherein, he was charged with treasonable felony in Charge No FHC/ABJ CR/235/2019, Sunday Igboho, etc. All these recorded tremendous successes especially the crisis within the NorthCentral, North-Eastern, and South-South regions, not forgetting peace efforts in the Niger-Delta region which have helped in so many ways. The establishment of the North East Development Commission, Ministry of the Niger-Delta, Niger-Delta Development Commission, Presidential Amnesty, Various Host Community Laws, etc were all commitments to show good faith to the plight of the people as well as resolving regional conflicts.

“It is therefore our conviction that fixing the challenges in the South-East would go a long way in changing the narrative and showcase your commitment to upholding the principle of Rule of Law , Justice and Fairness, which are the bedrock of our democracy. It would also set a precedent for addressing issues through dialogue rather than prolonged political cum judicial persecution and brass show of executive lawlessness. We, therefore implore your excellency to adopt this approach and save the south-east and pave way for a national conversation to restore, safeguard and better the resources and economic activities in the south-east. The primary responsibility of the government is the protection of lives and property. Facilitating the release of Nnamdi Kanu would demonstrate a commitment to upholding the principles of justice and fairness, which are the bedrock of our democracy.

“Your Excellency, the benefits of such a bold and compassionate act are manifold. It would pave the way for peace initiatives, economic revitalization and a renewed sense of belonging among the citizens of the southeast. It would also enhance your administration’s legacy as one that prioritizes national unity, peace and progress. We are hopeful that you will consider this request with the gravity it deserves and take the necessary steps to bring about a new era of peace and inclusivity in Nigeria. Thank you, your Excellency for your attention to this important matter and we look forward to a positive response.”