A team of Senators from the Southeast region has asked President Bola Tinubu to set free Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who is currently being held in custody. It was led by Enyinnaya Abaribe, a respected Senator and former Deputy Governor of Abia State, the group explained that keeping Kanu in jail is causing problems for the Southeast area, affecting its social and economic progress.
During a private meeting with the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, the Senators stressed the immediate importance of releasing Kanu.
Abaribe, speaking on behalf of his fellow Senators after the meeting, expressed worries about the worries about the worsening economic and social situation in the southeast, which they attributed to Kanu remaining in prison.
Abaribe also mentioned that criminals had taken advantage of Kanu’s peaceful protests, resulting in more violence and the loss of lives, including those of security personnel.
Abaribe mentioned that he met Kanu at the DSS headquarters in Abuja on Monday, and during their meeting, Kanu agreed to follow any conditions set for his release.
The former Deputy Governor expressed belief that setting Kanu free would contribute to bringing peace and stability back to the Southeast, which has faced difficulties since Kanu’s arrest in 2021.
The Senators requested the Attorney General to convey their appeal to President Tinubu and use his influence to drop the charges against Kanu.
Abaribe highlighted that leaders in politics, religion, and various stakeholders in the Southeast are all in agreement that releasing Kanu is crucial for achieving peace. Kanu was arrested again in Kenya in 2021 and brought back to Nigeria to face terrorism charges.
Although he pleaded not guilty, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja denied him bail, citing his previous violation of bail conditions when Abaribe stood as his surety. Since then, Kanu has remained in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
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