Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the leading Igbo socio-cultural group, has applauded the Appeal Court decision that ordered the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the illegal Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), from the Department of State Services' detention (DSS).
The IPOB leader was "extraordinarily" extradited to Nigeria, according to the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which also ruled that the conduct was a flagrant violation of the country's extradition treaty and a violation of the IPOB leader's fundamental human rights.
Therefore, the court ordered Kanu's release and dismissed the terrorism accusations brought against him by the Nigerian government.
Reacting, in a statement on Thursday by its spokesperson, Chiedozie Ogbonnia, Ohanaeze Ndigbo described the ruling as a “plus to the Nigerian democracy and a sign that brighter days lie ahead.”
“The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide led by Ambassador, Professor George Obiozor, CON, has maintained that Nnamdi Kanu is a phenomenon that expresses the injustice, orchestrated alienation and inequity against the Igbo.
“On the other hand, all the oppressed groups in Nigeria are symbolised in Nnamdi Kanu. Nnamdi Kanu therefore symbolises the Igbo collective unconscious,” it said.
The group said the ruling sparked excitement in the south-east because the IPOB leader’s detention and trial “had caused tremendous apprehensions” in the region, which resulted in “every Monday sit-at-home, its enforcements by the unknown gunmen, the roadblocks on the major roads in all parts of Igbo land and ultimately the monumental loss of goods, especially in the South-east of Nigeria.”
Ohanaeze hailed the Court of Appeal justices for their courage and uprightness in delivering “this landmark judgement” in favour of Kanu, whom the group described as “a hero.”
“Our joy knows no bounds. This is because the South-east of Nigeria used to be the most peaceful geopolitical zone in the country. But, since April 2021 when the Owerri Correctional Centre was overwhelmed by unknown gunmen and over 1800 prison inmates discharged, the South-east has not known peace.
“Today, it is Eureka! A glorious day, a day of peace re-found; a day of peace profound; a day of rebirth and indeed a day that injects grassroots impetus and momentum into the Igbo renaissance. Above all, it is a great day that clears the coast for the irreversible contagious Nigerian movement for 2023,” Ohanaeze said.
The government has, however, maintained that it would not release Kanu, despite the court ruling.
Nigeria’s Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, in a late Thursday statement by his spokesperson, Umar Gwandu, argued that the Court of Appeal only discharged Kanu, and did not acquit him.
Malami said the government is reviewing its legal options and could institute other charges against the IPOB leader.
The attorney-general said that the decision of the Court of Appeal “was on a single issue that borders on rendition.”