Southeast Senators have appealed to President Bola Tinubu to order the release of detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
The delegation of 15 senators, led by former Abia State Deputy Governor and ranking senator, Enyinnaya Abaribe, argued that the ongoing detention of Kanu is stalling social and economic activities in the Southeast region.
In a closed-door meeting with the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbem, SAN, the Senators emphasized the urgent need for Kanu’s release.
Abaribe, speaking on behalf of his colleagues after the meeting, expressed concerns over the deteriorating economic and social conditions in the Southeast, attributing it to Kanu’s continued incarceration.
Abaribe stated that Kanu’s peaceful agitation has been hijacked by criminals, leading to increased violence and loss of lives, including those of security personnel.
He said he met with Kanu at the Department of State Services (DSS) headquarters in Abuja on Monday, where Kanu agreed to comply with any conditions set for his release.
The former Deputy Governor expressed confidence that releasing Kanu would help to restore peace and stability in the Southeast, which has been troubled since Kanu’s detention in 2021.
The Senators urged the Attorney General to convey their request to President Tinubu and to use his influence to drop the charges against Kanu.
Abaribe noted that political leaders, religious figures, and stakeholders in the Southeast have unanimously supported Kanu’s release as a necessary step towards peace.
Kanu was re-arrested in Kenya in 2021 and brought back to Nigeria to face terrorism charges.
Despite pleading not guilty, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja denied him bail, citing his previous bail jump in which Abaribe was his surety. Kanu has remained in DSS custody since then.
