According to Vanguard news, Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has called on Igbo political leaders to stop begging the Nigerian government for his release, asserting that he did not commit any crime warranting his arrest. Kanu's statement comes as several prominent Igbo figures, including Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ben Kalu, and presidential candidate Peter Obi, have made public calls for his release.
In a statement released on Saturday by Kanu's Special Counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, the IPOB leader emphasized that he had not authorized anyone to beg for his release. Kanu made it clear that his continued detention was not an issue of mercy or pardon but a matter of legal compliance with court rulings. The Federal High Court had already declared his detention unconstitutional, and international tribunals have also deemed it unlawful.
The statement reiterated that Kanu’s detention arose from the Nigerian government’s attempts to criminalize his right to self-determination. The release of Kanu, according to the statement, should not be viewed as an act of clemency, but rather as a legal obligation to honor court judgments and international decisions.
Kanu further expressed his appreciation for the efforts made by various groups and individuals to secure his release but maintained that the matter should be treated within the confines of the law. His legal team clarified that there should be no plea for pardon or mercy, as Kanu’s right to self-determination is guaranteed under Nigerian law and international conventions, including those of the United Nations, the United Kingdom, and Kenya.
The statement also warned that any calls for pardon might inadvertently give the impression that the government could continue with unlawful prosecutions against Kanu. Instead of begging, Kanu’s team urged his supporters to adopt the stance taken by organizations like Afenifere, Ohaneze, the World Igbo Congress, and others who have emphasized that Kanu has committed no crime.
Finally, Kanu thanked those working towards peace and security in Igboland, underscoring his belief that the Nigerian government, not the courts, should be held accountable for the circumstances of his detention, particularly its use of extraordinary rendition.
This latest development continues to fuel the ongoing debate over Kanu’s legal status and the political implications of his detention for the Igbo community.
