As national calls for the release of Nnamdi Kanu intensify, 44 federal lawmakers from across Nigeria have submitted a two-page letter and resolution to President Bola Tinubu, urging him to release the IPOB leader from detention and initiate a political dialogue to address South-East challenges.
The lawmakers called on the President to invoke his constitutional powers to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and convene an inclusive political roundtable involving all relevant parties to find a lasting solution through a political window.
In their letter, the 44 members of the House of Representatives, writing under the aegis of “Concerned Federal Lawmakers,” requested that President Tinubu direct the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, to exercise his constitutional powers to discontinue the prosecution of Kanu.
The letter, signed by Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, Hon. Obi Aguocha, Hon. Murphy Osaro, Hon. Peter Akpanke, Hon. Mudshiru Lukman, Hon. Paul Nnamchi, Hon. Barr. Sunday Cyriacus, Hon. Obed Shehu, Hon. Engr. Dominic, Hon. Chief Ugwu Emmanuel, Hon. Daniel Asama Ago, Hon. Chike John Okafor, Hon. Adam Ogene Ogbaru, and others, emphasized the need for dialogue and national reconciliation.
The lawmakers wrote,
“Dear Mr. President, THE NATIONAL INTEREST DRIVEN RESOLUTION BY CONCERNED FEDERAL LAWMAKERS ON THE ISSUE OF MAZI NNAMDI KANU CONTINUED DETENTION.
After a closed-door strategic meeting of the following federal lawmakers committed to promotion of national unity and stability; and after extensive consultations across all party lines and different ethnic groups, we hereby wrote and subscribe to this Letter to Mr. President, concerning Mazi Nnamdi Kanu:
Driven by the abiding and urgent need for national reconciliation and healing; and Having noted the Federal Government’s open negotiations with militants and different agitating groups in different parts of Nigeria; and in view of the insecurity that has pervaded Southeast since late 2015 and which spiked since 2021; and in the realisation of the many domestic court and international tribunal pronouncements in favour of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu; and in the face of the growing national groundswell supporting the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and for the discontinuance of his prosecution.
“We, the within-named federal lawmakers, hereby respectfully and earnestly request our dear President, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as follows: To, as soon as practicable, direct the Attorney-General of the Federation to exercise his constitutional powers and discontinue the prosecution of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu; and To, pursuant to the discontinuance of the prosecution, initiate a constructive dialogue, aimed at seeking a just political solution of the matter.
“We are grateful to you, our dear President, for Your Excellency’s prompt consideration of our request; and please be assured of our continuing respects for your high office.”
DAILY GAZETTE reports that the lawmakers specifically urged President Tinubu to invoke Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution to discontinue the prosecution of Kanu.
Hon. Obinna Aguocha, representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency in Abia State, highlighted constitutional defects in Kanu’s charges, including the alleged illegal rendition from Kenya, which he described as having “poisoned the prosecution’s limbs.”
Aguocha argued that Kanu’s continued detention has worsened insecurity and contributed to the economic crisis in the South-East region.
