By Charles Igwe
The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has urged President Bola Tinubu to leverage his influence to explore legal avenues for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), in the South-East’s best interests.
This appeal follows the recent rejection of Kanu’s bail application by a Federal High Court in Abuja, prompting the President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, Most Reverend Lucius Ugorji, to make the plea during the episcopal ordination in Imo State.
Most Rev. Ugorji emphasized that Kanu’s release could foster economic prosperity and security in the region, attributing the South-East’s insecurity and economic setbacks to his prolonged detention.
Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja denied Kanu’s bail but ordered an accelerated hearing of the case, which revolves around charges of treasonable felony.
Despite this ruling, Kanu’s legal counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, expressed dissatisfaction, citing difficulties in accessing their client and alleging constitutional violations regarding his treatment in custody by the Department of State Services (DSS).
