Extraditing Nnamdi Kanu Was A Favour To Him, We Would Have Eliminated Him If We Wanted — Buhari

A former Special Adviser to former President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, says Buhari’s government did a favour to the leader of the outlawed and cessationist group – Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, by extraditing him to Nigeria.

Kanu, formerly a fugitive was extradited to Nigeria in June 2021 after serially breaching bail conditions by a Federal High Court on 11-count charges bordering terrorism, treasonable felony, managing unlawful society and others.

Adesina stated this in his book titled ‘Reflections of a Special Adviser, Media and Publicity (2015-2023),’ launched in Abuja last week.

Quoting his principal, while responding to a delegation under the aegis of ‘Highly-Respected Igbo Greats, Adesina said, “In the past six years, I have developed a system where in which I don’t interfere with the judiciary. That was why in the case of Kanu, I said the best was to subject him to the system.

“Let him make his case in court instead of giving a terrible impression of the country from outside.

“I feel it is a favour to give him (Kanu) that opportunity. Government could have mobilized to eliminate him where he was, but we did not do that.

“You have made an extremely difficult demand on me as the leader of this country. The implication of your request is very serious. In the last six years, nobody will say I have confronted the judiciary. We are developing a country, and we have to go through the pains.

“The demand you have made is heavy, but I will consider it. I am glad to know you closely at this time. Please, accept my sympathy once again on the loss of your wife. May her soul rest in peace,” Buhari added while consoling Chief Mbazulike Ameachi.

Amaechi, a First Republic Minister of Aviation, who led the delegation to the presidential villa with a demand of unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu said the situation in the East was painful & pathetic hence meeting Buhari for solution.

The only surviving First Republic Minister, then 93, had vowed that if the terrorists group leader – Kanu – was released to him, “I assure you he will no longer say the things he used to say,” he said.