50 Lawmakers Write Tinubu, Demand Nnamdi Kanu’s Release

Adedayo Akinwale

About 50 members of the House of Representatives have written to President Bola Tinubu, demanding the release of the leader of the proscribed leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, from prison.

The lawmakers under the aegis of Concerned Federal Lawmakers for Peace and Security in the South East called on the President to invoke section 174 of the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and section 107(1) of administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 for the release of Kanu from detention to aid the restoration of peace in the South East.

The lawmakers, who hail from different Political Parties and geopolitical zones across the nation, also appealed to President Tinubu to commence a presidential peace initiative to address all issues and challenges bedeviling the southeast region of Nigeria.
The signatories to the letter dated June 19, 2024, were Hon. Obi Aguocha (Abia), Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere (Imo), Hon. Afam Ogene (Anambra), Hon. Abiante Awaji-Inombek (Rivers), and Hon. Aliyu Mustapha (Kaduna), among others.

The lawmakers 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 lawmakers believed that it was 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.

Against this background, 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.