The South East Council of Traditional Rulers and Representatives of Igbo Archbishops
and Bishops on Peace and Conflict Resolution, otherwise known as “the Joint Body” has backed the call on the Federal Government to immediately release the leader of the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
Last week, the Court of Appeal in Abuja discharged Kanu of the 15-count charge brought against him by the Federal Government on the ground that the originating court – the Federal High Court – lacks the jurisdiction to try him. The three-man panel ruled that Kanu’s rendition to Nigeria violated the protocol on extradition and the convention of the Organisation of African Unity.
The court held that the Federal Government failed to disclose the exact location Kanu was arrested, neither did the 15-count charge against him disclose the place, date, time, and nature of the alleged offenses before extraditing him.
But the government holds on the Kanu in detention with the Minister for Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Malam Abubakar Malami, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, insisting that the Court of Appeal only discharged the secessionist leader, but not acquit him of the charges levelled against him.
“For the avoidance of doubt and by the verdict of the court, Kanu was only discharged and not acquitted.
“Consequently, the appropriate legal options before the authorities will be exploited and communicated accordingly to the public.
“The decision handed down by the court of appeal was on a single issue that borders on rendition” Malami said.
In a statement on Tuesday, signed by the Chairman, Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council, Obi of Onitsha. HRM Nnaemeka Achebe and three others, “the Joint Body” backed its position with the unanimous ruling of the Court of Appeal’s three-member panel that Kanu’s “extradition and
subsequent trial was illegal, and the lower court had no jurisdiction to hear the case”.
The other signatories to the statement are the Chairman of Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Lawrence Agubuzu; the Methodist Archbishop of Umuahia, Most Rev. Chibuzo Opoko; and the Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke.
The statement reads:
1. The South East Council of Traditional Rulers and Representatives of Igbo Archbishops
and Bishops (the Joint Body) was established in fulfilment of the temporal and spiritual
leadership mandates inherent to the respective offices of the traditional rulers and church
leaders as the moral compass of our constituents, as well as advisors, guides, and
mediators in their lives as citizens of our dear nation, Nigeria.
2. In the recent past, the Joint Body has undertaken extensive and intense behind-the-scenes
consultations with all stakeholders to broker a permanent, regionally coordinated
restoration of the South-East to the status as the most peaceful and progressive sub-national zone in Nigeria. The Joint Body has been consistent and persistent in its call for
all stakeholders to not relent in the pursuit of peacebuilding and resolution of security
challenges in the South East based on justice, equity, fairness, love, mutual
understanding, and respect of all persons. In furtherance of this, we have also supported
the call for the unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu by the Federal Government
to douse the current tensions across the Southeast and create an atmosphere for
collaboration towards a constructive resolution of the issues.
3. We note the Opinion emanating from the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary
Detention, regarding the on-going legal action instituted by the Federal Government of
Nigeria against Mazi Nnamdi Kanu which was issued on 20th July 2022. Among many
recommendations or requests made to the Federal government, the Opinion called for the
immediate and unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who has been in detention
for over one year, following his rendition from Kenya in June 2021.
4. We also note media reports confirming that on Thursday, 13th October 12022, a three-man
panel of The Court of Appeal in Abuja led by Justice Hanatu Sankey held that the Federal
High Court lacks the jurisdiction to try Mazi Nnamdi. Kanu on the grounds of his
rendition to Nigeria which violates the protocol on extradition and the OAU convention,
and subsequently discharged Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
5. We welcome this judgment and assert that the wisdom of the Appellate Court presents
a timely and an unprecedented opportunity to overcome the challenge of trust that has
obstructed the path to peace; and opens the window to winning the hearts and minds of
the people. We therefore unequivocally support the call for the immediate release of Mazi
Nnamdi Kanu in line with the unanimous judgement of the Court that his extradition and
subsequent trial was illegal, and the lower court had no jurisdiction to hear the case.
6. In conclusion, the march towards peace and the restoration of normalcy in our society
and economy requires the collective action of all people of God. We are confident that all
Nigerians will rise to the summons of History and act with courage, conviction and
integrity.
