By James Orji
Ahead the resumed trial of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB Nnamdi Kanu, on January 19, hope that President Muhammadu Buhari will grant him amnesty has suddenly disappeared.
A Federal High Court in Abuja presided over by Justice Binta Nyako, last November, adjourned the trial of the detained IPOB leader to this month, since then pressure has been mounted on the federal government, by prominent south east leaders to grant him amnesty.
Kanu was arrested in Nairobi, Kenya in July last year by INTERPOL who later handed him over to the Nigerian government. He has been on trial since then.
But, a delegation of Igbo leaders visited the president in Aso Rock, Presidential Villa, last October where they appealed to him to release their son. Their plea comes on the insecurity rocking the region due to Kanu’s continued detention. Buhari said then he will consider their request.
But speaking on Channels Television on Wednesday, President Buhari said he will not interfere in the trial of the controversial IPOB leader. The president said he will allow his trial to go on because doing otherwise would amount to interfering with the judiciary.
Buhari said Kanu, who is being tried for treason among other crimes, must account for his action. According to him, Kanu has been given the opportunity to defend himself against all allegations levelled against him.
Igbo leaders under the aegis of Highly Respected Igbo Greats have appealed to the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), to ensure the release of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra’s leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
On October 19 2021, Igbo leaders under the aegis of Highly Respected Igbo Greats, led by First Republic parliamentarian and former Minister of Aviation, 93-year-old Mbazulike Amaechi, appealed to the president to release Kanu during a visit to Aso Rock, Nigeria’s seat of power.
Other members of the delegation include former Governor of Anambra State, Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Bishop Sunday Onuoha of the Methodist Church, former President of Igbo socio-cultural group, Aka Ikenga, Goddy Uwazurike and Tagbo Amaechi.
Buhari later told the leaders that their unconditional release of the IPOB leader, who is currently standing trial, runs contrary to the doctrine of separation of powers between the executive and judiciary. The president however said he will consider their request.
Buhari said, “You’ve made an extremely difficult demand on me as the leader of this country. The implication of your request is very serious. In the last six years, since I became President, nobody would say I have confronted or interfered in the work of the judiciary.
“God has spared you (referring to the ex-minister), and given you a clear head at this age, with a very sharp memory. A lot of people half your age are confused already. But the demand you made is heavy. I will consider it.”
Also speaking on Kanu’s matter on Tuesday, Abubakar Malami, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, said the federal government will consider public interest in deciding the fate of the IPOB leader.
On the issue of “Kanu, what would as well govern the decision of the President in terms of whatever request is presented is the public interest as against limited sectional interest of it,” Malami said.
