By Michael Chukwuebuka, Reporting
TRADITIONAL rulers and leaders of religious organisations in the South East of Nigeria have called for the release of Mr Nnamdi Kanu, leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Stonix News reports that the Court of Appeal in Abuja, Nigeria, last week discharged Kanu from all allegations levelled against him by the Federal Government of Nigeria, but the Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Abubakar Malami said Kanu has not been acquitted.
Prominent personalities in the South East zone, under the aegis of the South East Council of Traditional Rulers and Representatives of Igbo Archbishops and Bishops On Peace and Conflict Resolution, made the call in a press release obtained in Awka, on Tuesday.
The press release insisting on Kanu’s release was jointly signed by the traditional ruler of Onitsha, Obi Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe who is also the chairman of Anambra State Council of Traditional Rulers.
In its reaction, the group said: “We welcome this judgement 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.
“It also 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.”
The group said that in recent past, it 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 subnational 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.
“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,” the group said.
Other personalities, who co-signed the press release, are; Rev. Dr. Chibuzo R. Opoko, Methodist Archbishop of Umuahia; H.M. Igwe Amb L. O. C. Agubuzu, Chairman, Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council and Most Rev. Dr. Valerian M. Okeke, Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha.
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