50 Lawmakers Urge Tinubu to Release Nnamdi Kanu

Nnamdi Kanu

 A group of fifty House of Representatives members, known as the Concerned Federal Lawmakers for Peace and Security in the South East, have formally requested President Bola Tinubu to utilize his constitutional powers to release Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

In a letter dated June 19, 2024, the lawmakers, representing diverse regions and political parties, appealed to President Tinubu to invoke Section 174 of the Nigerian Constitution and Section 107(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015. They argued that releasing Kanu would foster peace and address longstanding issues in the southeast.

Prominent signatories of the letter include Hon Obi Aguocha (Abia), Hon Ikenga Ugochinyere (Imo), Hon Aliyu Mustapha (Kaduna), and others from various states. They urged President Tinubu to direct the Attorney-General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN, to apply his nolle prosequi powers to discontinue Kanu's trial and secure his release.

The lawmakers emphasized that Kanu’s release is overdue and crucial for initiating dialogue and addressing the root causes of unrest in the southeast. They recalled that similar executive interventions had been made in the cases of Omoyele Sowore and Sunday Igboho.

The legislators highlighted the deteriorating security and economic situation in the southeast, suggesting that resolving these challenges would demonstrate the President's commitment to justice and the rule of law. They believe that addressing these issues through dialogue rather than prolonged legal battles would promote peace, economic revival, and a sense of inclusion among southeastern citizens.

Expressing hope for a favorable response, the lawmakers asserted that such an action would bolster President Tinubu’s legacy as a leader dedicated to national unity and progress.

The letter read, “Your Excellency, we are concerned members of the House of Representatives with a strong belief in the RENEWED HOPE agenda. We beseech you to direct the Attorney-General to invoke his nolle prosequi powers under Section 174 of the Constitution and Section 107(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and discontinue his trial.

"We collectively believe this action is long overdue and necessary for initiating essential conversations on peace and inclusivity, especially amid ongoing constitutional reforms. This gesture can significantly contribute to national unity by addressing political, security, and economic concerns in the region. It would also encourage more active engagement from Southeast stakeholders in national discussions, thereby promoting inclusivity and addressing long-standing grievances."