By Adadareporters
Over fifty lawmakers from the House of Representatives have called on President Bola Tinubu to invoke section 174 of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (as amended), and section 107(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, and free the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Kanu is being detained at DSS headquarters in Abuja. He was renditioned from Kenya to Nigeria in 2021, and currently charged with terrorism.
The lawmakers, under the aegis of Concerned Federal Lawmakers for Peace and Security in the South East, further charged Tinubu to begin a presidential peace initiative to address all issues and challenges bedevilling South East.
The demand was contained in a three-page letter signed by the lawmakers, dated June 19, 2024 and addressed to President Tinubu.
The signatories are honourables Obi Aguocha (Abia), Ikenga Ugochinyere (Imo), Aliyu Mustapha (Kaduna), Midala Balami (Borno), Afam Ogene (Anambra), Abiante Awaji-Inombek (Rivers), Dominic Okafor (Anambra), Etanabene Benedict (Delta), Shehu Dalhatu (Katsina), Chinedu Emeka Martins (Imo), Matthew Nwogu (Imo), Muhammed Buba Jagere (Yobe), Peter Aniekwe (Anambra) Koki Sagir (Kano), Amobi Oga(Abia), Gwacham Chinwe (Anambra), Uchenna Okonkwo (Anambra), Abdulmaleek Danga( Kogi ), and Osi Nkemkama (Ebonyi).
Others are honourables Mark Useni (Taraba), Alexander Mascot (Abia), Philip Agbese (Benue), Ginger Onwusibe Obinna(Abia), Zakari Nyampa (Adamawa), Jamo Aminu (Katsina), Emeka Idu Obiajulu (Anambra), Nnabuife Chinwe Clara(Anambra), Ukodhiko Jonathan (Delta), Akingbaso Olarewaju(Ondo), Lilian Obiageli Orogbu(Anambra), Marcus Onobu (Edo), Chinedu Obika (FCT Abuja), Billy Osawaru (Edo), Ojuawo Rufus Adeniyi (Ekiti), Okoli Ngozi Lawrence (Delta), Ezechi Nnamdi ( Delta), Alozie Munachim Ikechi(Abia), Nkwonta Chris (Abia), Nnamchi Paul Sunday (Enugu), Obetta Mark Chidi (Enugu), Tochi Okere Chinedu (Imo), Uguru Emmanuel (Ebonyi), Joseph Nwaobasi (Ebonyi), Onwugbu Befford Anayo (Enugu), Atu Chimaobi Sam(Enugu), Sunday Cyriacus Umeha (Enugu), and Anthony Adepoju (Oyo).
The lawmakers, in the letter, prayed President Tinubu to direct the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, to invoke his powers of nolle prosequiunder the constitution, and cause the release of Kanu from detention and discontinue his trial.
It is long overdue and would be instrumental in opening the door for much-needed conversations surrounding peace restoration and inclusivity as well as addressing the issues that led to the agitations, they wrote.
They reminded the president that he extended the same gesture in the charge involving Omoyele Sowore wherein he was charged with treasonable felony in Charge No FHC/ABJ CR/235/2019; Sunday Igboho and so on.
The legislators bemoaned the state of turmoil in the South East, including breakdown of security, downturn of economic activities, and general uncertainties in the region, adding that fixing the challenges in the South East would change the narrative and showcase his commitment to upholding the principle of rule of law, justice and fairness, which are the bedrock of our democracy.
They also opined that it would also set a precedent for addressing issues through dialogue rather than prolonged political cum judicial persecution.
The letter read in part, “We are concerned members of the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with a strong belief and trust that the renewed hope agenda of His Excellency and the various positive reforms would be seen and felt by all. It is at the backdrop of the foregoing that we the undersigned hereby beseech Your Excellency to direct the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, to invoke his powers of nolle prosequi under the provisions of Section 174(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as Amended) and Section 107(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 and cause the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from detention and discontinue his trial. We collectively believe is long overdue and would be instrumental in opening the door for much-needed conversations surrounding peace reformation and inclusivity as well as addressing the issues that led to the agitations, especially at this time Nigeria is going through several Constitutional reforms.
“This singular act can serve as a pivotal gesture towards national unity as it would address some of the political, security and economic concerns in the region. It would encourage stakeholders from the South East to engage more actively in the national discussions on the renewed hope agenda thereby promoting inclusivity and addressing long-standing grievances. This will also help in dismantling the apparatus of violence and restiveness that has plagued the region, allowing for a focus on economic growth and development.”
They recalled the same gesture granted to Omoyele Sowore and Sunday Igboho, adding that, “All these recorded tremendous successes especially the crisis within the North-Central, North-East and South-South regions, not forgetting peace efforts in the Niger-Delta region which have helped in so many ways”.
The letter added, “The establishment of the North East Development Commission, Ministry of the Niger-Delta, Niger-Delta Development Commission, Presidential Amnesty, Various Host Community Laws, etc were all commitments to show good faith to the plight of the people as well as resolving regional conflicts.”
They said granting their request would also set a precedent for addressing issues through dialogue rather than prolonged political cum judicial persecution and brass show of executive lawlessness.
“We, therefore, implore your excellency to adopt this approach and save the South East and pave way for a national conversation to better the resources and economic activities in the South East.”
They added that the primary responsibility of the government is the protection of lives and property, adding that, “Facilitating the release of Kanu would demonstrate a commitment to upholding the principles of justice and fairness, which are the bedrock of our democracy.”
According to them, the act would pave the way for peace initiatives, economic revitalization and a renewed sense of belonging among the citizens of the South East, noting that “It would also enhance your administration’s legacy as one that prioritizes national unity, peace and progress.”
