Aloy Ejimakor, the Special Counsel to Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has clarified that the authority to release Kanu lies solely with President Bola Tinubu or the Attorney General of the Federation, and not with the Service Chiefs. Ejimakor emphasized that the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, also lacks the authority to release Kanu.
Ejimakor urged those falsely claiming that Kanu’s matter is a security issue to stop, stressing that it is a matter of self-determination. He emphasized that self-determination is not a political offense and is not considered a crime anywhere in the world, including Nigeria, under Article 20 of the Nigerian law and the African Charter.
The constitutional lawyer stated, “Freeing Nnamdi Kanu lies with the President, not the Service Chiefs. Those peddling the fallacy that the matter of MAZI NNAMDI KANU is a ‘security issue’ should stop.” He added, “The truth is that his matter is a ‘self-determination’ issue, which is within the purview of the President/AGF, not the National Security Adviser.”
Ejimakor further explained, “When you take anybody to any court in any country in the world and tell that court you want the person because he wants a Biafra, they will tell you to go to hell. You are a kidnapper extraordinaire. Whether you are a government or not, you are a rogue. You should not try anybody in court for wanting a separate nation.”
He highlighted the historical context, stating, “That is how Nigeria was founded in 1960. That was how the Midwest region was created in 1963. That is how Nigeria lost Southern Cameroon to Cameroon. It is either called a referendum or plebiscite, and that is how Nigeria got Adamawa, the former Southern Cameroon, into Northern Nigeria.”
Ejimakor emphasized that the Biafra issue should not be treated differently, stressing that it is only considered a crime in Nigeria. He noted that IPOB is only considered a terrorist organization in Nigeria, not globally. He accused Nigeria of ambushing and kidnapping Kanu.
This clarification comes as Southeast governors plan to meet with Tinubu to discuss a political solution for Kanu’s release. Additionally, Southeast lawmakers met with the Attorney General of the Federation, appealing to Tinubu to order Kanu’s release, which they believe would boost social and economic activities in the South-East zone.
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