The Senate’s South East Caucus has urged the Federal Government to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the IPOB leader, in accordance with the decision of the Appeal Court.
Eleven Senators that make up the caucus reached the decision in a communiqué released and made available to news media on Thursday in Abuja.
Those who signed statement include: Senator Chukwuka Utazi (Minority Whip), Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (Majority Whip), Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Senator Uche Ekwunife (Iyom), Senator Sam Egwu, Senator Stella Oduah and Senator Obinna Ogba, Senator T A Orji (Ochendo).
Others are: Senator Chimaroke Nnamani, Senator Onyewuchi Ezenwa, Senator Micheal Nnachi, Senator Rochas Okorocha, Senator Frank Ibezim, and Senator Patrick Ifeanyi Uba.
The Appeal Court last week acquitted and discharged the IPOB leader of terrorism charges leveled against him by the Federal government.
However, Kanu who was re-arrested from Kenya in June 2021, is still in the custody of the Department of State Services as the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami insisted that he was only discharged but yet to be acquitted.
Following the refusal of the President Muhammadu Bubari-led government to release the separatist as ordered by the Appeal Court, the Senate caucus asked the president to keep the promise he earlier made to the Igbos and release Kanu.
We should be mindful of our diversity and the strengths we as a country derive from there. This is the time to show magnanimity and statesmanship. The Appeal Court has provided the leeway for the authorities to walk the talk as ones desirous of preserving Nigerias unity and respect for her diversity.
Accordingly, we as a Caucus and stakeholders in the Nigeria project appeal to Mr President, to remember the promise he made to a delegation of elders of Igboland sometime ago and release Nnamdi Kanu, especially now that the Appeal Court by that ruling removed the burden of interference from him. Going on Appeal would ultimately negate that kind gesture,” the caucus stated.