The Abia State House of Assembly has resolved to embark on a peaceful march to Abuja to press for the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, ABN TV reports.
The decision followed a motion of urgent public importance moved during plenary on Tuesday by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Austin Mmeregini, who represents Umuahia East Constituency.
Mmeregini, while presenting the motion, expressed deep concern over Kanu’s worsening health and urged the Assembly to support Governor Alex Otti’s ongoing advocacy for his release. He also called on National Assembly members from the South-East and the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo to intensify efforts toward securing the IPOB leader’s freedom on medical grounds.
In his submission, the member representing Ikwuano Constituency, Hon. Isiehi Boniface, suggested that the Abia Assembly should visit the National Assembly to meet with the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives, and later hold a press briefing on the matter.
Also contributing, the member representing Ohafia South, Hon. Kalu Nwoke, lamented that Kanu’s continued detention had contributed to heightened insecurity in parts of Ohafia, despite the Otti-led administration’s ongoing peace efforts.
Reacting to the motion, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, decried what he described as the Federal Government’s disregard for court orders granting Kanu bail.
“Nigeria seems to be operating two systems of justice. Having been granted bail by a competent court, the government should obey that order,” he said.
He added that detaining Kanu indefinitely without conviction violates the rule of law and urged President Bola Tinubu to demonstrate statesmanship by granting him freedom.
“It would serve no purpose for Nnamdi Kanu to die in detention. He deserves his fundamental human rights like every other citizen,” Emeruwa stated.
The Speaker reaffirmed the Assembly’s support for Governor Otti’s peace-driven interventions and called on all South-East lawmakers and regional leaders to maintain pressure on the Federal Government until Kanu receives adequate medical attention and eventual release.
Meanwhile, the House also raised concerns over reports of destruction of properties belonging to Igbo indigenes in Lagos State.
Raising the matter under urgent public importance, Hon. Nnamdi Ibekwe, member representing Bende North, urged the Assembly to call on President Tinubu and the National Assembly to act swiftly to stop further attacks on Igbo-owned properties.
Nnamdi Kanu, who was first arrested in 2015 on charges bordering on terrorism and treasonable felony, was re-arrested in Kenya in 2021 and has remained in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) despite several court rulings ordering his release.
