Nnamdi Kanu, who is the arrested leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has mentioned his willingness to engage in negotiations terms with the federal government.
Kanu took the view on Wednesday, during the hearing of the seven-count terrorism and treasonable charges filed by the FG against him at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
His legal team, which was led by Barr Alloy Ejimakor, noted that Section 17 of the Federal High Court Act allowed for the amicable and mutual resolution of such problems.
Ejimakor revealed to the court of his team’s decision to go for the option after moving two applications which were submitted by his client.
One of the motions geared to condemn the Director General of the Department of State Services, DSS, Mr. Yusuf Bichi, to prison for contempt of court, while the other move challenged the court’s jurisdiction to continue the trial.
If the court ignores the two applications he filed on for his client, Kanu’s lawyer said he will be forced to invoke Section 17 of the FHC Act.
“Section 17 of Federal High Court Rules, states that in any proceedings, the court may consider reconciliation and settlement,” the lawyer added.
On his part, the federal government’s lawyer, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, said that he had already told the defendant that he does not have the authority to engage in such negotiations because it was not part of the Fiat issued to him by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.
He outlined that, only the AGF has the authority to negotiate or take further action in such a situation, pointing out that the case touches on alleged terrorism.
“If he is interested in negotiating, he knows the right place, the Attorney General of the Federation office,” the federal government’s lawyer stated.
Reacting to the development, trial Justice Binta Nyako said that the court’s duty is not to stand as a solicitor for both Kanu and FG but only to to hear the case.
He stated that it was left for the parties to reach an agreement on how they would want the matter to be handled.
“If you want to discuss with the AGF, no problem at all,” the justice said.
Kanu was first arrested in Lagos on October 14, 2015, after his return from the United Kingdom.
But On April 25, 2017, Justice Nyako granted him bail on health grounds after spending almost 18 months in detention.
On April 28, 2017, he was released from the Kuje prison after succeeding with his bail conditions.
However, midway the trial, the IPOB leader left the nation after military raided his country residence in Afara Ukwu Ibeku in Umuahia, Abia State, this even led to the killing some of his followers.
Kanu was later arrested in Kenya on June 19, 2021, and he was returned to the country by security authorities on June 27, 2021.
Following the incident, on June 29, 2021, the trial court placed him in DSS custody, where he has been up on till today.
On April 8, 2022, the court decided to dismiss eight of the 15-count charges levelled on him by the FG, citing a lack of substantial evidence.
Similarly, on October 13, 2022, the Abuja Division of the Court ordered that Kanu be released immediately from detention after it had dismissed the accusation against him.
Dissatisfied FG then petitioned the Supreme Court while insisting that the appellate court stay the execution of the judgment until the outcome of its appeal.
On December 15, 2023, the Supreme Court dismissed the appellate court’s decision and asked FG to try the IPOB leader on the remaining seven count accusation.
