50 Reps write Tinubu, plead for Nnamdi Kanu’s release

Under the auspices of the Concerned Federal Lawmakers for Peace and Security in the South-East, roughly fifty members of the House of Representatives representing the nation's six geopolitical zones have appealed to President Bola Tinubu to use Section 174 of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended) and Section 107(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 to free Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, from the Department of State Services' custody.

In a letter dated June 19, 2024, the lawmakers elected on the platforms of various political parties urged President Tinubu to launch a peace initiative to address the South-East's insecurity issues.

Obi Aguocha (Abia), Ikenga Ugochinyere (Imo), Afam Ogene (Anambra), Aliyu Mustapha (Kaduna), Midala Balami (Borno), and Abiante Awaji-Inombek (Rivers) are among the signatories of the three-page letter.

In addition, there are Chinedu Martins (Imo), Matthew Nwogu (Imo), Peter Aniekwe (Anambra), Koki Sagir (Kano), Amobi Oga (Abia), Dominic Okafor (Anambra), Etanabene Benedict (Delta), and Abdulmaleek Danga (Kogi).
The leader of IPOB had stated last week that he wanted the federal government's treason charges against him to be resolved extrajudicially.

He also condemned the murders that have occurred in the Southeast as a result of IPOB's calls for Igbo people to secede from Nigeria.

In their letter, the lawmakers pleaded with President Tinubu to direct the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi 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.
They recalled that the President extended this gesture through the office of the Attorney General to activist Omoyele Sowore, who was charged with treasonable felony.
"Your Excellency, we are worried members of the Federal Republic of Nigeria's House of Representatives, and we firmly believe that everyone will see and benefit from the Renewed Hope Agenda and other constructive reforms. In light of this, we, the undersigned, humbly request that Your Excellency order that Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, exercise his nolle prosequi authority in accordance with Section 174(1) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and Section 107(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, thereby causing Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to be released from custody and ending his trial.

We all agree that this is long overdue and will play a significant role in facilitating the much-needed discussions about inclusivity and peace reformation, as well as resolving the problems that sparked the agitations—especially now that Nigeria is undergoing multiple constitutional changes.

Your Excellency, we firmly feel that this one-of-a-kind act, which would address some of the political, security, and economic issues in the region, can act as a turning point towards national unity. It would promote inclusivity and address long-standing grievances by motivating stakeholders from the South-East to participate more actively in the national discussions on the renewed hope agenda.

We think that this will also assist in dismantling the violent and restless apparatus that has afflicted the area, enabling for a focus on economic growth and development. This comes at a time when the nation-state is under enormous pressure, including but not limited to unemployment, insecurity, hunger, and poverty, thereby de-escalating tension from all sides.”