By Jonathan Elendu
The much-awaited judgement of the Supreme Court on Nnamdi Kanu’s bail came on Friday, December 15th, 2023.
The Supreme Court quashed the judgement of the appeal court and ordered that Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), should face trials at the lower court.
The court of appeal had ordered Kanu’s immediate release and all charges dropped against him by the federal government due to the extraordinary rendition perpetrated by Nigerian and Kenyan security agencies.
The news of the supreme court’s judgement is causing consternation amongst Kanu’s followers. Many people of south-east extraction are very disappointed with the judgement.
Chekwas Okorie, founder and first national chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), who made Nnamdi Kanu the first chairman of the United Kingdom chapter of the party in the 2000’s quickly released a statement after the judgment.
In the statement, Okorie, who many regard as Kanu’s political father said: “Despondency and anger pervade the entire Igbo land and beyond following the Supreme Court judgment on the Nnamdi Kanu legal tussle with the federal government.
“The Justices of the Apex Court have waxed legalese to rationalize their judgment. As things stand, I wish to passionately appeal to my people, to endure what is obviously a painful provocation with equanimity. I appeal that we do not resort to any precipitate action that may be counterproductive and exacerbate the already existing tension.
“This moment calls for maturity and wisdom. I have always held the view, right from the very beginning of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s saga, long before his Gestapo-like, illegal extraordinary rendition from Kenya by Nigerian agents in collaboration with Kenyan authorities that what was needed to resolve this imbroglio was more political than legal.”
While suggesting a rapprochement with the Federal Government, the elder statesmen called for maturity and wisdom in managing the reactions to the judgment.
“This is the time to reengage the diplomatic gear. I am convinced that President Ahmed Tinubu has all that it takes in terms of political sagacity and savvy to deploy his special presidential dispensation as provided by the 1999 Nigerian Constitution as amended to intervene at this time,” Okorie said.
“I believe that well-meaning Igbo leaders need to mobilize without delay to engage President Tinubu constructively with a view to exploring the diplomatic and political solution to the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and other prisoners of conscience.
“It is with every sense of responsibility that l repeat my sincere appeal to our people, especially the angry youths, to give this renewed initiative a chance being the first such move under the President Tinubu dispensation.”
