Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has condemned in the strongest terms, the spate of killings in the South-East region of Nigeria.
Kanu, on Wednesday when he appeared at the Federal High Court in Abuja for his trial, accompanied by his legal team, condemned particularly the recent killing of five soldiers in Aba, Abia state.
Addressing journalists on the recent violence in the South-East, Kanu emphasised his commitment to peace and denied any involvement in the killing of soldiers.
He said, “I unequivocally condemn all acts of violence. IPOB was founded on principles of non-violence, and we remain steadfast in that stance. Some of these soldiers are our own people, and their families are mourning. We cannot condone violence; we seek freedom.
“All the making of young widows is totally condemnable. We stand for peace and that is why we are doing what we are doing.
“We have endured centuries of suffering, from slavery in Arabia and Europe to modern-day challenges. It’s time for Africa to rise as God intended.”
Kanu’s statements followed calls from his legal team for his release, having submitted a comprehensive list of domestic and international court rulings to the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, at the Federal Ministry of Justice in Abuja.
The legal team cited these judgments as grounds for Kanu’s release, responding to earlier claims by the AGF that he was unaware of Kanu’s case.
Meanwhile, Kanu’s lawyers had filed a preliminary objection at the Federal High Court in Abuja, challenging the court’s jurisdiction to proceed with the trial.
Despite this, Justice Binta Nyako dismissed Kanu’s plea to reinstate his revoked bail and relocate him from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
Kanu has been in DSS custody since his arrest in Kenya in June 2021, facing charges related to terrorism brought against him by the Federal Government.
Also speaking on Kanu’s case, the IPOB leader’s Special lawyer, Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, in a post on his X platform handle said, “Given Nigeria’s violations of her treaty obligations regarding Nnamdi Kanu (a British citizen), Britain does not need any court order to retrieve him from Nigeria. His case is beyond diplomatic niceties.”
