The Abia State House of Assembly has formally appealed to President Bola Tinubu for the unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The appeal follows a resolution passed by the House on November 10, describing Kanu’s extended detention as a pressing public concern.
Assembly Urges Presidential Intervention
Deputy Speaker Austin Meregini, representing Umuahia East, moved the resolution urging the President to use Section 174(c) of the Constitution.
This provision allows the Attorney-General of the Federation to halt criminal proceedings before judgement.
The 24-member Assembly also cited Tinubu’s recent presidential pardon as an example of compassionate governance.
In a letter signed by all members, including the Speaker, the House highlighted Kanu’s detention history. They noted his first arrest in 2015, his two-year detention, and subsequent bail.
Kanu later fled Nigeria after a military operation on his home reportedly caused multiple deaths. In 2021, he was returned from Kenya to Nigeria, which the Assembly described as a breach of his rights and international law.
The letter urged Tinubu to consider Kanu’s release as a gesture of goodwill, suggesting it could promote peace, stability, and reconciliation in the South-East.
The House described the move as a political step aligned with the President’s vision for a united Nigeria.
Kanu Files N50 Billion Lawsuit
Separately, Kanu has filed a N50 billion lawsuit against the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) for allegedly providing a false medical report during his terrorism trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The suit, filed on November 12 by lawyer Maxwell Opara (CV/4584/25), lists the NMA, its president Bala Audi, and members of the medical team—including Benjamin Egbon, Prof Emem Abraham, Ajibare Adeola, Temitope Farombi, Sunday Owolade, Mustapha Salihu, Yarima Yusuf, Nwosu Ekeoma, and Benjamin Olowojebutu—as defendants.
Kanu is seeking an order for a proper, independent medical examination by qualified specialists unconnected to the defendants. The contested medical report had led Judge James Omotosho to declare Kanu medically fit to continue facing trial last month.
Background of the Case
Kanu has been in the custody of the State Security Service (SSS) in Abuja since June 2021.
He faces terrorism charges related to his secessionist campaign advocating for the independence of Nigeria’s South-East, known as Biafra.
The government alleges he engaged in terrorist acts, including broadcasting threats, inciting violence, and encouraging killings, to advance the separatist agenda.