By Charles Igwe
Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has indicated his readiness to negotiate with the Federal Government. This development was revealed on Wednesday during the resumed proceedings on the seven-count terrorism and treasonable felony charge brought against him by the FG at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Kanu’s legal team, led by Mr. Alloy Ejimakor, emphasized that Section 17 of the Federal High Court Act provides for the amicable resolution of such matters. Ejimakor informed the court of their decision to explore this option after moving two applications on behalf of his client. One application sought to have the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Yusuf Bichi, imprisoned for contempt of court, while the other challenged the court’s jurisdiction to continue the trial.
Ejimakor stated that if the court dismissed these applications, they would invoke Section 17 of the Federal High Court Act, which allows for reconciliation and settlement in any proceedings.
In response, the Federal Government’s lawyer, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, stated that he did not have the authority to negotiate, as it was not part of the Fiat issued to him by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice. Awomolo clarified that only the AGF has the authority to engage in such negotiations, given the case’s nature involving alleged terrorism.
“If he is interested in negotiating, he knows the right place, the Attorney General of the Federation’s office,” Awomolo said.
Trial Justice Binta Nyako responded that the court’s duty is to hear the matter before it, not to act as a mediator. She stated that it was up to the parties to decide how they wanted to proceed with the case. “If you want to discuss with the AGF, no problem at all,” Justice Nyako added.
Kanu was first arrested in Lagos on October 14, 2015, upon his return from the United Kingdom. He was granted bail on health grounds on April 25, 2017, after spending about 18 months in detention and was released from Kuje prison on April 28, 2017. However, he escaped from the country after soldiers invaded his home in Umuahia, Abia State, resulting in the deaths of some of his followers.
Kanu was re-arrested in Kenya on June 19, 2021, and was extraordinarily renditioned back to Nigeria on June 27, 2021. He has been in DSS custody since June 29, 2021.
On April 8, 2022, the court struck out eight of the 15-count charges against him due to lack of substance. The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal ordered his immediate release on October 13, 2022, and quashed the charges against him. However, the FG appealed to the Supreme Court, which on December 15, 2023, vacated the appellate court’s judgement and allowed the FG to proceed with the trial on the remaining seven counts.
