Call for the release of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, Tinggi, as Reps, the Abia Council joined

The controversy surrounding the prolonged detention of the original leader of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, took a new turn on Tuesday as the National Assembly and the House of the State Council of Abia intensified the call for urgent medical intervention and the possibility of liberation.

In the Plenary of the House of Representatives, MPs agreed to take a motion this weekend to seek medical attention immediately for Kanu, who had been in custody of the State Service Department (DSS) since the extradition from Kenya in 2021.

This step followed the intervention by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, after members representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency of Abia State, Hon. Obi Aguocha, raised the point of order that lamented the silence of the federal government about what he called “the deteriorating health condition.”

Aguocha told the DPR that despite writing to the leadership of the National Assembly and the Federal Government, there was no response received about the urgent need to attend Kanu health.

Kanu was first arrested on October 14, 2015, and was charged with 11 accusations bordering terrorism and a criminal of betrayal. Since his arrest again and extraordinary in 2021, he has been detained in the midst of a ongoing legal dispute over his case and some court orders that gave him a guarantee.

Leading the session, speaker Tajudeen Abbas asked Aguocha to reduce a motion for the right presentation, noting that he had asked for the wrong house rules.

Intervening, Deputy Chairperson Kalu said this problem would be introduced again before the DPR in the coming days for the right debate.

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“Mr. speaker, I am also from the state of Abia. About the problem raised by my colleague, we will present it properly before the DPR for a week,” said Kalu. “We will come correctly so that the trial that must be given will be given to him. I beg you to give us an audience, maybe tomorrow (Wednesday) or the next day.”

Responding to, Abbas assured that the house was open to negotiating about this problem after a motion was properly proposed.

“No problem. Only the procedure I challenge, not the substance of this problem. We will be willing and ready to give you all time to present it,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Abia State Council Council in Umuahia has announced plans for a peaceful general meeting in Abuja to demand Kanu’s release for medical reasons.

During the Plenary Tuesday, the legislative of the state was in harmony with Governor Alex Otti and southeast stakeholders in urging the President of the Tinubu ball to comply with the court orders mandating the release of Kanu.

The resolution followed the public interest motion that was urgent to be driven by the Deputy Speaker Austin reprimanded, who represented the Eastern Umuahia constituency.

Reterminating expressed concern over the deteriorating health of Kanu and asked the Governor of OTTI to intensify efforts to secure his release. He further urged Southeast MPs in the National Assembly and Ohanaze Ndigbo to “maintain pressure for medical attention and unconditional release.”

Supports Moti, Hon. ISIEHI BONIFACE (IKWUANO CONSTITUTION) suggested that the Assembly must send a delegation to the National Assembly to meet with the President of the Senate Godswill Akpabio and DPR Speaker Tajudeen Abbas on the issue, followed by a press conference.

Another member of parliament, Hon. If Mba Nwoke (Ohafia South), regretted that the resistance continued to have exacerbated insecurity in some parts of Abia, despite the efforts by the state government to restore peace.

In his remarks, the speaker of the Assembly Abia, RT. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, criticized what he called double standards in the application of justice and blamed the federal government for ignoring court orders that provide a guarantee of the Kanu.

“Most of us agree that the ongoing detention from Nnamdi Kanu is unusual and violates the law, unless there is something we don’t know,” Emeruwa said. “We can only urge the president to show mercy and give their liberation. Every citizen deserves fundamental human rights, and will be tragic for Nnamdi Kanu to die in detention. The court is not concluded, and I do not think the violations cannot be resolved.”

Emeruwa also urged the Governor of OTTI, Southeast Member, Ohanaze Ndigbo, and other stakeholders to continue to encourage medical care and freedom of Kanu.