Release Nnamdi Kanu As Parting Gift, Ohanaeze Begs Buhari

Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide yesterday urged President Muhammadu Buhari to free the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu.

President-General, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, urged President Buhari, who he described as an Igbo son and honourary Ohanaeze member, to ensure Kanu’s release before May 29 as a parting gift to the Southeast.

Iwuanyanwu spoke at the flag-off of the Oguta/Orashi Waterways hydrographic survey and dredging in Degema, Imo State.

Kanu was charged with violating the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act 2013.

The Court of Appeal in Abuja struck out the remaining seven charges after Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja had dismissed eight of the 15 amended counts.

The appellate court held that Kanu’s extradition from Kenya in June 2021 was a flagrant violation of Nigeria’s extradition treaty and a breach of the IPOB leader’s fundamental human rights.

It ordered Kanu’s release from the custody of the State Security Service (SSS), where he has been held since he was brought back to Nigeria.

But, the Federal Government appealed to the Supreme Court and was recently granted leave to file nine new grounds of appeal.

Iwuanyanwu addressing Osinbajo, said: “Please, finally, our Vice President, tell our brother and son, President Buhari, that the Ohanaeze Ndigbo – the over 60 million Igbos – request that he should release Nnamdi Kanu.

“He should release Nnamdi Kanu. Igbos are not seceding. I don’t see why anyone will say Igbos are seceding. Igbos are everywhere. We have investments. Are we going to leave our investments?