Court Directed Tinubu Govt And Nnamdi Kanu To Negotiate, Seek Reconciliation, IPOB Leader’s Lawyer Clarifies
Ejimakor said the court gave the directive on Wednesday when Kanu’s case came up.
Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, special counsel for the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has clarified that it was the Federal High Court in Abuja that directed the Nigerian government and the IPOB leader to pursue reconciliation.
Ejimakor said the court gave the directive on Wednesday when Kanu’s case came up.
The lawyer said some media reports that Kanu sought negotiation with the Nigerian government on the charges levelled against him were slanted.
According to him, it was the court that invoked its powers under Section 17 of the Federal High Court Act and issued the directive.
Ejimakor said, “Today, invoking its powers under Section 17 of the Federal High Court, Justice Binta Murtala-Nyako directed the Attorney-General of the Federation and Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to explore the prospects of reconciliation or political solution in the ongoing trial of Nnamdi Kanu.
“Section 17 of the Federal High Court Act provides that ‘In any proceedings in the Court, the Court may promote reconciliation among the parties thereto and encourage and facilitate the amicable settlement thereof’.
“Responding, the private prosecutor representing the Federal government, Ademoyega Awomolo (SAN) told the Court that he has no objection to political settlement or solution of the case but Kanu’s lawyers should discuss it directly with the Attorney-General.
“In the same vein, Kanu’s lead counsel Aloy Ejimakor expressed no objection to political settlement.”
Kanu had filed an application before the court seeking to move form 49, and a second application which objected to the court’s jurisdiction to try him.
Kanu is facing trial on terrorism charges levelled against by former President Muhammadu Buhari administration over his call and agitation for a sovereign state of Biafra.
The case has continued under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The case was adjourned to September 24 for further hearing.
