Umeh Says Nnamdi Kanu’s Release Will End Tension In Igbo Land

The Labour Party (LP) candidate for the Anambra Central senatorial seat, Victor Umeh has called on the federal government to release the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, in order to end tension in Igbo land.

According to him, Kanu’s release is not only a good way to calm down the Igbo land, it would also be in line with the Appeal Court’s ruling.

Naija News gathered that Umeh, who is a former National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), noted that after the ruling of the Appeal Court, the Federal Government had no reason to continue to keep Kanu.

Umeh while speaking to pressmen yesterday in Awka, the Anambra State capital said “the news of the Court of Appeal judgment is very soothing and gladdening in the sense that the Federal Government of Nigeria has been given a golden opportunity to bring to an end the controversy between IPOB and the Federal Government of Nigeria.

When he (Kanu) was brought home from Kenya last year, I was one of those who asked that the matter be given fair judicial adjudication.

Along the line, through a suit instituted by Kanu, a court in Umuahia (Abia State capital) quashed the charges against him and ordered that he should be released unconditionally.”

Recall that Naija News reported last week the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration has reacted to the ruling of the Court of Appeal concerning Kanu’s trial.

Naija News reports that the Appeal Court had on Thursday upheld the appeal of the pro-Biafra activist and struck out charges levelled against him by the Federal Government.

However, in a statement signed by his Media Aide, Dr Umar Jibrilu Gwandu, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, stated that the court only discharged Kanu and did not acquit him.

The statement reads: “Consequently, the appropriate legal options before the authorities will be exploited and communicated accordingly to the public.
“The decision handed down by the court of appeal was on a single issue that borders on rendition.

“Let it be made clear to the general public that other issues that predate rendition on the basis of which Kanu jumped bail remain valid issues for judicial determination.
“The Federal Government will consider all available options open to us on the judgment on rendition while pursuing determination of pre-rendition issues.”