Kanu’s discharge: Brother urges FG to embrace genuine dialogue to resolve Kanu’s demands

From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia

As reactions have continued to trail the Appeal Court judgement freeing the detained leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, his younger brother, Prince Emma Kanu, has hailed the Appeal Court ruling, while calling on the federal government to embrace genuine dialogue to resolve all issues surrounding the IPOB leader’s agitation.

The Appeal Court in Abuja on Thursday struck out the seven-count charge bordering on treason brought by the federal government against the IPOB leader.

With the development, the younger Prince Kanu called for dialogue between the federal government and his elder brother, while thanking Nigerians for their support for the IPOB leader, describing the court’s ruling as a victory for all. “This is a win, win day,” he enthused.

“This is the time for all to sit down for the truth to be said. The truth must be said. This is not an issue of war or fighting or the issue of carrying gun, but genuine discussion and that is all he is asking for. Sit down and let us talk. That is all.

“I am thanking all, men, women, pastors, journalists, IPOB Media warriors, those we know and those we do not know all over the world, especially the Appeal Court Judges that handled the case, even the dead,” Prince Kanu said.

 Among those who expressed happiness with the Appeal Court judgement on the Kanu rendition trial include Senator Enyi Abaribe, representing Abia South in the Senate. Abaribe said “we thank God that justice has been done by the judgment.”

Also, the immediate past President-General of Afaraukwwu, Ikechukwu Ndubueze, who was sighted in the vicinity of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s country home in Isiama Afaraukwu in Umuahia North Local Government Area, expressed gratitude to God for facilitating the discharge of the IPOB leader.

“Our son, Nnamdi Kanu is a freedom fighter who has been speaking against the ills meted out to his kinsmen. We’re happy for his discharge. We’re expecting him back home soon and will welcome him back home with open arms,” Ndubueze said.

The Oracle Today recalled that there were isolated celebrations of the Appeal Court judgement Thursday because they development took millions of IPOB members unawares as Kanu’s court appearance was hardly publicized but all who learnt of the ruling were pleased, and many were of the opinion that his freedom would restore peace in the South East.

The Court of Appeal on Thursday, October 13, 2022, struck out the seven-count charge preferred against Mazi Nnamdi Kanu on grounds that the lower court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter.

The appellate court held the Kanu having been extradited from Kenya without following the extradition rules was a flagrant disobedience of the rules and a clear violation of Kanu’s rights.

This is as there was no denial by the respondents in the appeal as to the submissions of Mike Ozekhome (SAN) that his client, the appellant, was extraordinarily renditioned from Kenya.

The appellate court held that failure of the respondents to respond to the averments of the appellant’s Counsel means they conceded to the submissions of the appellant.

The appellate court also held that the lower court failed to examine the findings of the Prosecution as they would not have tried Kanu if he was not illegally brought to the country.

The court therefore held that the lower court has no jurisdiction to entertain the seven-count charge alleged to have been committed by Kanu, before his extra-ordinary rendition from Kenya.