The senator representing Abia South at the National Assembly, Enyinnaya Abaribe, on Wednesday led the South East Senate Caucus in a closed-door meeting with the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN, where they appealed for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
Addressing the press after the meeting, Senator Abaribe said the Senators submitted a 15-point written document highlighting reasons for their request to release Mazi Kanu and explicitly appealed to the Attorney General to explore the possibility of entering a nolle prosequi for the discontinuation of all legal proceedings involving Mazi Kanu.
Abaribe stated that the magnanimity of releasing Kanu, guided through the good offices of the Attorney General, would demonstrate the federal government’s commitment to peaceful resolution of issues by considering the bigger picture and the overall interest of the country.
He said, “Considering our country’s diverse ethnicity and the lingering problems of unequal treatment of different ethnicities, it is really important that in our efforts to build a strong, united, and virile nation, efforts must be made to portray equal and just treatment of all, irrespective of tribe, religion, or historical background.”
Abaribe mentioned that the South East Senate Caucus had conveyed to the AG that the belief of South Eastern Nigeria, as represented by the opinions of governors, National Assembly members, leaders of industry from the region, traditional rulers, President Generals of community development associations, youth leaders, among others, is that the first step towards lasting peace in the region is the release of Mazi Kanu and the discontinuation of the cases against him.
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“Nnamdi Kanu’s release will, in our view, help advance peace, national interest, safety, and equity despite any contrary opinion. His freedom will also send a clear message of peaceful intent, justice, and fairness to the warring groups within the region, and we believe he will use the opportunity to rally them to embrace peace.
“We therefore plead with the Attorney General to use his good offices to intervene with Mr. President and ensure that an out-of-court settlement is agreed to and Mazi Kanu is released.
“While some may argue that some of Mazi Kanu’s actions placed the unity of Nigeria at risk and were often incendiary, it is, however, our belief that the Federal Government of Nigeria reserves the discretionary right to explore alternative means of settlement, especially when such means advance national interests, foster peace, encourage growth, and promote equity and fairness,” Abaribe said.
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