There is a popular Igbo adage that says; ‘Okenye adighị anọ n’ụlọ nne ewu amụọ n’ogbịrị’ which when loosely translated to English means that an elder does not sit at home and watch a tethered goat deliver. It is never expected that things should go wrong in the presence of an elder. While the elder is looked up to always solve a problem as soon as it arises, he or she is also expected to take expedient steps to demonstrate leadership.
The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has been unjustly incarcerated for the past two years by the Nigerian Federal Government. He has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) where he is being illegally held despite the judgment of the court of appeal.
The appellate court had in its judgment, ruled that the IPOB leader was ‘extra-ordinarily’ renditioned to Nigeria and held that the action was a flagrant violation of the extradition treaty to which the country was a signatory. It also stressed that his continued detention was a breach of his fundamental human rights. However, as it’s quite synonymous with the culture of lawlessness that the Nigerian State is known for, that judgment was never obeyed, and Kanu was never released.
Rather than obey its courts, the Federal Government of Nigeria went on to approach the Supreme Court to say the judgement, ignoring the fact that the liberty of its citizen cannot be stayed under any guise. No section in the fraudulent Nigerian constitution allows any room for a stay of execution in this kind of case. The President Muhammadu Buhari-led junta government has ignored every iota of common sense and sound advice, asking it to release Kanu but has rather chosen to perpetually keep him in custody.
Read Also: Why Nigerian Government Must Free And Apologise To Kanu
Not even Kanu’s deteriorating health condition has pushed the federal government to allow him to go for medical treatment. It is no longer news to anybody that the IPOB leader needs urgent treatment. The DSS doctors have already confirmed that he is not doing well health-wise. He has ear problems, and he is currently suffering from heart issues and many other health complications. There is no gainsaying the fact that Kanu’s life is presently at stake if he is not allowed access to effective medical attention. Does the Nigerian government want Kanu to die in its custody?
At this point, Igbos in Nigeria must come to the full realisation that Kanu’s continued detention is part of a well-orchestrated plot against the Igbos for whom the federal government has absolutely no respect. They must begin to react to his continued incarceration as an affront to the sensibilities of Ndigbo.
The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo must understand that Kanu’s abduction is an insult to Ndigbo. As elders, they can no longer afford to treat Kanu’s issue with levity or kid gloves. They must now begin to talk tough and demand that the federal government of Nigeria obeys its constitution. Kanu was discharged by a Nigerian court, and the charges against him were thrown out, why then should he remain in custody?
By virtue of the court of appeal judgement, Kanu has no charges against him, which makes it surprising to think that the federal government lodged an appeal at the Supreme Court when the original charge had already been invalidated.
The truth is, whatever charge they claim they have amended is just an attempt to ridicule the legal system because the judgment of the court of appeal is unequivocal, meaning that no charge can be preferred against him in any court in Nigeria. It is plain and simple. The issue of extraordinary rendition and the charges that were earlier filed before the federal high court tried by Justice Nyako was set aside by the court of appeal in its entirety. So, there is really no basis in law for anyone to say they want to amend a charge that no longer exists or to say that they want to file a fresh charge.
Armed with these legal realities, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and other groups in Igbo land must now begin to make concerted efforts to get Kanu released. A government that frees Boko Haram terrorists every month has no business holding unto Kanu, whose only crime is seeking self-determination, that is enshrined in several treaties and charters, which Nigeria is signatory to.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo must now put Kanu’s release on the front burner and begin to demand it vigorously. All the Governors in the South East must be pressured to begin moves to secure Kanu’s release. Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo began his advocacy just before the elections. Efforts should be made to sustain it so it doesn’t end up as a political gimmick. Other Governors must be reminded that they are nothing without the people, and in the interest of justice.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo must now begin to seriously lobby influential members of the international community to force the federal government to obey it’s own laws. The issue of Kanu’s release must now be treated with the seriousness of deserves. For President Buhari and the Fulani Oligarchy that he represents, holding unto Kanu is a symbol of victory. Ndigbo, Biafra and the Southeast and Ohanaeze Ndigbo must now begin to treat the issue of his release as an existential one, which it actually is. Kanu must be unconditionally released now!
