The South-East caucus in the House of Representatives has thrown its support behind the call for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The caucus is appealing to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consider releasing Kanu and others in similar situations, emphasizing that a political solution could help restore peace in the region.
The statement was endorsed by notable members including 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).
The full list of signatories from Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo states includes:
Abia State:
Hon. Aguocha Obinna
Hon. Nkwonta Chris
Hon. Onwusibe Ginger Obinna
Hon. Ogah Amobi Godwin
Hon. Alozie Munachim Ikechi
Hon. Mascot Ikwechegh
Hon. Ibe Okwara Osonwa
Anambra State:
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
Hon. Aniekwe Peter Udogalanya
Ebonyi State:
Hon. Chinedu Ogah
Hon. Uguru Emmanuel
Hon. Eze Nwachukwu Eze
Hon. Nwabasi Joseph
Hon. Osi Kama Nkemkanma St.Andy
Enugu State:
Hon. Martins Oke
Hon. Atigwe Simon
Hon. Anayo Onwuegbu
Hon. Nnamchi Paul Sunday
Hon. Atu Chimaobi Sam
Hon. Sunday Cyriacus Umeha
Hon. Obetta Mark Chidi
Imo State:
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
Hon. Harrison Nwadike
The caucus highlighted that the appeal for an out-of-court settlement of Kanu’s case was supported by the Federal High Court, noting that a political solution could swiftly bring an end to the matter and restore peace in the South-East region.
The statement read: “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.”
