A South East group has issued a warning to President Muhammadu Buhari over the continued detention of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, even after Appeal Court has discharged and acquitted him.
The United Igbo Elders Forum, (UIEF) said FG’s decision to still detain Kanu in disobedience to a valid court order amounts to a time bomb.
Sahara Reporters revealed that the group noted that it was an affront to Ndigbo, for the federal government to have ignored the voice of the elders, the demand by the United Nations (UN), the judgement of the Court of Appeal and others’ voices of reason and went ahead to prolong the case.
The National Coordinator of the forum, Justice Alpha Ikpeama, stated this in an interview with Daily Independent on Sunday in Onitsha, Anambra State, shortly after their emergency meeting.
He noted that there was no need for the federal government to have gone to the Supreme Court to challenge an erudite judgement delivered by the three wise men at the Appellate court.
He said; “it is now crystal clear to all and sundry that it is Buhari and Malami that have been holding Nnamdi Kanu in captivity and the implication is that the entire Igbo race is being held in captivity as well by the duo of Buhari and Malami, with its attendant political undertone.
“Elders, UN, court, others have spoken and FG refused. It has a time bomb. Words of elders are words of wisdom. Enough is enough. It is Malami and Buhari holding Kanu. No need for Supreme Court. This shows that Buhari and Malami are holding Ndigbo. It has a political undertone.
“Justice delayed is justice denied. FG has only two options to release Kanu. The two options are hinged on the Appeal Court verdict or a political solution. If FG can dialogue with bandits, why not with Ndigbo? We commend all those who have so far shown concern for their objectivity.
“It is absurd and an affront to the psychology of Ndigbo for President Muhammadu Buhari to tell Igbo elders shortly after the arrest and rendition of Kanu from Kenya to Nigeria that Kanu should go through the judicial process, only for the federal government to disobey the recent order of the Court of Appeal to release him from detention.
“The federal government has no option than to release him without further delay. it is more advisable for the federal government to do the needful by releasing him according to the court verdict before the time bomb could be detonated,” the statement added.