The South-East caucus in the House of Representatives has thrown its weight behind the call for the release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
They have urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consider releasing Kanu and others in similar circumstances.
This appeal was articulated in a statement endorsed by 43 lawmakers from the five states in the South-East geopolitical zone. Signatories included prominent figures such as the Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu (Abia), the Deputy Minority Whip, Hon. George Ozodinobi (Anambra), the leader of the South-East caucus, Hon. Enwo Igariwey (Ebonyi), the Deputy Leader of the caucus, Hon. Nnolim Nnaji (Enugu), and the Secretary of the caucus, Hon. Miriam Onuoha (Imo).
Representatives from Abia State supporting the statement were Hon. Aguocha Obinna, Hon. Nkwonta Chris, Hon. Onwusibe Ginger Obinna, Hon. Ogah Amobi Godwin, Hon. Alozie Munachim Ikechi, Hon. Mascot Ikwechegh, and Hon. Ibe Okwara Osonwa. From Anambra State, the signatories included Rt. Hon. Afam Ogene, Hon. Agbodike Paschal, Hon. Okafor Dominic Ifeanyi, Hon. Gwacham Maureen Chinwe, Hon. Okonkwo Uchenna Harris, Hon. Orogbu Obiageli, Hon. Peter Uzokwe, Hon. Emeka Idu Godwin Obiajulu, Hon. Nnabuife Chinwe Clara, and Hon. Aniekwe Peter Udogalanya.
Lawmakers from Ebonyi State signing the statement were Hon. Chinedu Ogah, Hon. Uguru Emmanuel, Hon. Eze Nwachukwu Eze, Hon. Nwabasi Joseph, and Hon. Osi Kama Nkemkanma St. Andy. The representatives from Enugu State were Hon. Martins Oke, Hon. Atigwe Simon, Hon. Anayo Onwuegbu, Hon. Nnamchi Paul Sunday, Hon. Atu Chimaobi Sam, Hon. Sunday Cyriacus Umeha, and Hon. Obetta Mark Chidi. Imo State lawmakers included Hon. Chike Okafor, Hon. Emeka Chinedu, Hon. Okere Tochukwu Chinedu, Hon. Nwachukwu Canice Moore, Hon. Dibiagwu Eugene Okechukwu, Hon. Nwogu Mathew, Hon. Ikeagwuonwu Onyinye U. M., Hon. Amadi Akarachi Etinosa, and Hon. Harrison Nwadike.
The caucus emphasized that an out-of-court settlement of Kanu’s case, supported by the federal high court, is a viable political solution to swiftly resolve the matter and restore peace in the South-East region.
Their statement noted: “A few days ago, at the resumed hearing of the case against Mazi Nnamdi Kanu currently pending at an Abuja Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Binta Nyako, the issue of the out-of-court settlement of the matter was discussed between Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer and the Attorney General and Minister of Justice.
“According to newspaper reports, and our verified accounts of proceedings from those who were in court on that day, the court displayed sufficient support for the out-of-court settlement of this case, being one of the acceptable canons of dispute resolution in our civil and criminal jurisprudence.
“As a Caucus of the House of Representatives from where Mazi Nnamdi Kanu hails, we have taken liberty, in consonance with parliamentary practice, to seek the support of other Regional caucuses of the House of Representatives, to achieve a quick and responsible resolution of the seemingly intractable Mazi Nnamdi Kanu case, a legal impasse that is undoubtedly the missing puzzle in solving the lingering security conundrum in the South-East of Nigeria.
“We, therefore, as Representatives of the five Southeast states in the House of Representatives, urge Mr. President to consider the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and his other similarly detained followers.
“We are convinced that a political settlement of this matter by way of an out-of-court settlement, as canvassed before Justice Binta Nyako, is the quickest, most effective, and honourable way of closing this difficult and painful chapter of our national history.”
