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Lawyer pleads for Kanu’s release, fixing of deplorable Eastern roads

By Joseph Onyekwere and Silver Nwokoro

12 July 2023   |   4:53 am

Nnamdi Kanu

Immediate past chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL), Dr. Monday Ubani, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to kick-start the healing process of South East by releasing the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, and fixing deplorable roads in the region.

In a letter, dated July 10, 2023, Ubani commended the recent measures taken by the President to tackle the numerous challenges in the country, pleading that similar efforts be extended to tackling insecurity and poor infrastructure problems in the South East.

Ubani noted that for the current government to execute its laudable projects, all regions of the country must be carried along to foster a true sense of belonging.

The human rights lawyer said that the first step towards ensuring peace in the region is a political solution to the endless incarceration of Kanu, advising the President to release him to governors of the region.

Ubani said: “There are two issues that deserve urgent attention, Mr. President. I crave your indulgence that you handle them fast.

“One is the indefinite detention of Kanu in the Department of State Services (DSS) custody and the attendant insecurity in the region as a result of Kanu’s long incarceration.

“Second, the state of bad roads in the South East, especially the Ikwuano-Ikot Ekpene, Aba-Ikot Ekpene and Aba-Port Harcourt roads, among others.

“Kanu’s continued detention on ground of an appeal filed by the outgone Minister of Justice/Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), which, on perusal, does not disclose recondite grounds of law, gives me serious cause for concern.

“That the matter is not being given expeditious consideration is very depressing. My worry is that some criminal elements in the South East have latched on this to keep the entire region under serious threat of insecurity, loss of lives and all forms of criminality.”

According to him, the criminals have destroyed the economic prospects of the region by determining days when people should come out to pursue their daily economic activities.

“Mr. President, the ball is in your court to start the healing process in the region by releasing Kanu from detention and handing him over to leaders in the region,” he pleaded.