The Federal Capital has rejected negotiated settlement in the ongoing trial of detained Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
The Government made its position known on Wednesday after the IPOB strongman who is currently being tried for terrorism-related charges proposed an out of Court settlement.
During the resumed trial on Wednesday, Kanu’s lawyer, Alloy Ejimakor, told the Court that his client was ready to settle the issue with the Federal Government peacefully.
According to him, the proposal is based on Section 17 of the Federal High Court Act, which provides amicable resolution of such matters.
Kanu’s lawyer explained that he would seek negotiated settlement by activating the act if other options failed
Ejimakor stated, “Section 17 of Federal High Court Rules, states that in any proceedings, the court may consider reconciliation and settlement.”
But responding, lawyer to the federal government, Adegboyega Awomolo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, said he had no power to enter into such agreement as his brief was different.
“If he is interested in negotiating, he knows the right place, the Attorney General of the Federation’s office,” Adegboyega said.
Recall that Kanu was arrested in Kenya in July 2021 after which he was extradited to Nigeria for trial.
Following his detention for three years, some notable leaders in the country have called for his release, and so did the United States of America. But the Federal Government has continued to hold on to him.
A court of Appeal had, in October, 2022, struck out the case against Kanu.
But in December 2023, the Supreme Court ordered his continued trial, saying the IPOB leader had a case to answer.
The country’s apex court had earlier struck out the case of terrorism against Kanu.
