Ohanaeze Youths write AGF, FHC Chief Judge, urge them to release Kanu, ors

The apex Igbo socio-cultural youth organisation, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youths Wing Worldwide has appealed to the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, SAN, to commence processes towards a political solution towards the unconditional release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, as well as other illegally detained Igbo youths.

This was contained in an application signed by the Acting National Leader, Mr. Onwuasoanya FCC Jones.

Mr. Onwuasoanya argued that regardless of whatever evidences the Federal Government may have against Mazi Kanu and other Igbo youths detained over their agitations, dialogue would be the best and fastest way to resolve the impasse.

He also noted that “if peace is the ultimate goal of the ongoing trial, then it would be fastest through political discussions.”

The application was titled “Need to immediately begin processes towards exploring a political solution to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s case and unconditional release of all illegally detained Igbo youths“.

Therein, Onwuasoanya commended Malami over his recent statement indicating the Federal Government’s readiness to explore political solution to the ongoing prosecution of Nnamdi Kanu.

He recall, in the run-up to the recently concluded Governorship election in Anambra State, the organization empanelled a team to look for ways towards convincing the agitators who were hell-bent on stopping the election from going on, to sheath their swords.

He said: “The Committee, in efforts for a lasting peace in the region and Nation at Large, visited these detainees and appealed for their patience as we, as a Leadership assured to take responsibility in ensuring that the needful is done and judgement pronounced on them.

“To a reasonable extent, our assurance to them in that regard went a long way in calming them down and ensuring an almost ‘no violent incident’ election in Anambra State.

“Without prejudice to whatever evidences the Federal Government may have against Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and other Igbo youths detained over their agitation for justice and equity in Nigeria, it is our well-researched opinion that dialogue would be the best and fastest way to resolve the current impasse.

“And if peace is the ultimate goal of the ongoing trial, then it would be fastest through political discussions.”

Onwuasoanya also call attention to the thousands of our youths detained in different cells across Nigeria over their involvement in pro-Biafra agitations.

He noted that  most of these youths were non-violent in their methods, and urged the AGF to look into their cases with a view towards facilitating their immediate release from custody.

“We trust the leadership of our parent body and our governors are already in talks with the Federal Government on this and we look forward to having a positive outcome in the shortest possible time,” he added.

In a separate application addressed to the Honourable Chief Judge of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Abuja, Onwuasoanya asked him to use his good office to prevail on the presiding judge to deliver judgement in the case involving Chidimma Orji and 18 others who have been detention for as long as 15 years.

Citing Charge no: FHC/7C/2009, FGN vs Chidimma Orji and 18 others, he made the following “humble appeal”

“May I convey to you, on behalf of millions of Igbo youths worldwide, our truest felicitations on your many years of prudent jurisprudence and laudable efforts at ensuring justice to even the least privileged in the society.

“You can be assured of the undiluted solidarity of all Igbo youths.

“As a respected jurist, a product of Law and reputable impartial dispenser of justice, I am confident that you would appreciate our righteous frustrations with the delay in dispensing justice to these brothers and sisters of ours, in the above mentioned case number, who have lost, irretrievably, some precious time of their lives in limbo as a result of the delay in delivering judgement in their case for the past fifteen years.

“These past fifteen years might have been enough to exhaust all legal remedies open to them, up to the Supreme Court, but sadly and curiously, they are still waiting for the verdict of the Court of first instance.

“The long awaited judgement on the matter under reference was to be delivered on Wednesday, 20th October 2021, but was deferred to Wednesday, 24th November, 2021.

“We therefore earnestly appeal that you use your good office to prevail on the presiding judge to ensure that this judgement is delivered.

“Your usual kind understanding in this regards shall go a long way in defusing tension among family members and friends of these inmates, and all Igbo youths shall be eternally grateful to you.”