The legal team representing Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has called on President Bola Tinubu to hold a private meeting with Kanu to address the ongoing agitations in the South-East region of Nigeria.
In a statement signed by Nnaemeka Ejiofor, the head of the legal team, and dated August 21, 2024, the lawyers urged President Tinubu to approach the situation with statesmanship, highlighting the similarities between Kanu and Tinubu as “democrats and freedom fighters.”
The statement emphasizes the importance of understanding the root causes of the agitations and suggests that a dialogue between Tinubu and Kanu could lead to meaningful solutions.
The legal team also argued that Kanu is more than just a separatist, describing him as a “detribalized Nigerian” with a deep concern for the welfare of all Nigerians, regardless of their ethnic background.
The legal team referenced past efforts by various Igbo leaders to secure Kanu’s release, which were unsuccessful under the previous administration.
They also noted the contrasting treatment of Kanu compared to other agitators and the government’s leniency towards groups like Boko Haram.
The lawyers argued that releasing Kanu could help reduce insecurity in the South-East, allowing military forces currently deployed there to be redirected to other regions facing more severe threats, such as the North-East and North-West.
Kanu’s legal team highlighted the fact that while the Court of Appeal in Abuja had discharged and acquitted him on October 13, 2022, the Supreme Court later overturned this ruling in December 2023, ordering the continuation of his trial.
They believe that resolving Kanu’s case could contribute significantly to peace and stability in the South-East and beyond.