Elder statesman and former Minister of Information, Chief Edwin Clark has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to obey the order of the Court of Appeal and release the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from detention.
Clark made the statements Monday following reports that the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (AGF), Abubakar Malami and the meeting of the National Security Council last Friday said Kanu will not be released as the court only discharged, but did not acquit him of the charges was being tried on.
According to Chief Clark, “I consider this stance of the Federal Government as rather imperious and needless.
“I, therefore, earnestly call on President Muhammadu Buhari to obey the judgement of the Court of Appeal and order the immediate release of Nnamdi Kanu in the interest of peace in the country, the South-East Zone, in particular”.
He noted that “most Nigerians greeted the judgement of the Court of Appeal with elation, mainly in the South-East, where there were reports of widespread jubilations across cities in the Zone.
“It would, therefore, be detrimental for the federal government to still keep Kanu in detention and provide any pretext for malefactors to continue to take advantage of the situation in perpetrating all sorts of atrocities in the zone.
“Even though certain activities of Nnamdi Kanu and his IPOB followers have been a nuisance and very disturbing, the Federal Government went too far in going all the way to Kenya to abduct him on the ground that he jumped bail.
“I remember, and it is well known, that when the leaders, elders and Traditional Rulers of the South-East pleaded with President Muhammadu Buhari during a meeting in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, to release Kanu and other pro-Biafra agitators in detention, the President responded that Nnamdi Kanu’s fate will be decided by the Court.
“And even when they (Igbo leaders) visited him at Aso Rock, the President again said the matter was no longer in his hand and the security agencies, but in the hand of the Judiciary and that whatever the court decides would be final.
“Now that the Court of Appeal has given its judgement on the matter, I am imploring the President to obey the judgement of the Court and release the young man, and allow peace to reign.
“At this time, when insecurity is the order of the day, anything that would enhance the peace and stability of the country must be embraced.
“This matter is similar to the case of Asari Dokubo of Rivers State.
“I recall that when I led Elders of the Niger Delta to plead with then President Olusegun Obasanjo on behalf of Asari Dokubo, Obasanjo said the same thing as Buhari told the Igbo leaders that the matter was in the hand of the Court. And that the government would allow the Court to decide on the matter.
“In response to a follow-up letter I wrote to him on the matter and other issues, Obasanjo said and I quote, “ON ASARI DOKUBO, I WILL REITERATE THAT THE QUESTION OF HIS RELEASE IS NOT AN EXECUTIVE ISSUE BUT ONE WITHIN THE PURVIEW OF THE JUDICIARY. I ADVISE THAT YOU PURSUE THE ISSUE OF HIS RELEASE THROUGH THE COURT PROCESS.” And that was how Asari Dokubo’s case was determined”.
The former minister further added: “The Attorney-General of the Federation, Mallam Abubakar Malami, SAN, needs to appreciate the fact that he is the Chief Law Officer of the Federation as provided in Section 150 (1) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended).
“He is expected to play a neutral role at all times and in all matters.
“He is not the Chief Law Officer of a section of the country, a group, or even the president.
“But, I have, sadly, observed that the Attorney General has, no doubt, abandoned part of his job and is now involved in “executive rascality”, to the chagrin and dismay of patriotic Nigerians at home and abroad.
“The issue as to whether Nnamdi Kanu was only discharged and not acquitted by the Court of Appeal has been decided by the Supreme Court to the extent that sometimes a discharge is the end of a case whereas at other times it may not be so regarded.
“Nonetheless, the judgement of the three-member Panel of the Court of Appeal, which discharged Nnamdi Kanu is explicit and total and requires no further theatrics”.
He advised against any further appeal on the matter saying filing an appeal on the matter government would be extending the hardships caused by his detention.
According to Chief Clark, “can any responsible government, anywhere in the world, challenge such a judgement? I do not think so!
“It is rather shocking that the federal government is said to be considering what to do next on the matter.
“President Muhammadu Buhari should, without further ado, honour the order of the Court and allow Nnamdi Kanu to be released, perhaps, with conditions that he would maintain the peace and work to bring to an end the needless Monday Sit-At-Home order, which has disturbed businesses and civil activities in the South East.
“I am certain that Kanu’s release from detention will also expose those perpetrating the kidnappings and horrifying killings of security officers and other innocent citizens in the zone”.
