OBINNA EZUGWU
Nigeria’s president, Muhammadu Buhari has said the request an unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), which he described as “heavy,” will be difficult to consider, but he would nonetheless, consider it.
Kanu, who is currently in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) after his rendition from Kenya, is standing trial for treason before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The President who made the promise Friday while receiving a group under the aegis of Highly Respected Igbo Greats, led by First Republic parliamentarian and Minister of Aviation, Chief Mbazulike Amaechi, at State House, Abuja, said the unconditional release of Kanu runs contrary to the doctrine of separation of powers between the Executive and Judiciary.
The President, according to a statement issued by his spokesman, Femi Adesina, told the 93-year-old statesman that: “You’ve made an extremely difficult demand on me as leader of this country. The implication of your request is very serious. In the last six years, since I became President, nobody would say I have confronted or interfered in the work of the Judiciary. God has spared you, and given you a clear head at this age, with very sharp memory. A lot of people half your age are confused already. But the demand you made is heavy. I will consider it.”
The President, while emphasising his policy of non-interference with the Judiciary, said when Kanu jumped bail, got arrested and brought back to the country, “I said the best thing was to subject him to the system. Let him make his case in court, instead of giving very negative impressions of the country from outside. I feel it’s even a favour to give him that opportunity.”
Buhari commiserated with Chief Amaechi, who recently buried his wife, praying that her soul would rest in peace.
The nonagenarian, who earlier described the situation in the South East as “painful and pathetic,” said businesses had collapsed, education was crumbling, and there was fear everywhere.
