The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, on Thursday, gave an indication that the Federal Government might approach the Supreme Court to challenge the Court of Appeal judgement that quashed the terrorism charge it preferred against the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu.
Reacting to the judgement, the Attorney-General of the Federation indicated that what Nnamdi Kanu secured was merely a discharge from the appellate court and not an acquittal.
Abubaka Malami, SAN, while insisting that issues that predated Kanu’s arrest and extradition from Kenya, are yet to be determined by the court, said the government would exploit the all legal options available to it.
A statement the AGF made available to newsmen through his media aide, Dr. Umar Gwandu, read: “The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice has received the news of the decision of the Court of Appeal concerning the trial of Nnamdi Kanu.
“For the avoidance of doubt and by the verdict of the Court, Kanu was only discharged and not acquitted.
“Consequently, the appropriate legal options before the authorities will be exploited and communicated accordingly to the public.
“The decision handed down by the court of appeal was on a single issue that borders on rendition.
“Let it be made clear to the general public that other issues that predates rendition on the basis of which Kanu jumped bail remain valid issues for judicial determination.
“The Federal Government will consider all available options open to us on the judgment on rendition while pursuing determination of pre-rendition issues”.
Governors of the south-east region of Nigeria have vowed to end the sit-at-home order by the proscribed group IPOB.
In a communique issued on Tuesday after an emergency security meeting in Enugu, Enugu State, which was convened to discuss the security crisis in the region, which many believe is caused by the pro-Biafra group, IPOB.
The sit-at-home order, which is observed every Monday in Imo, Enugu, Anambra, Abia, and Ebonyi states, has continuously disrupted the economic and social activities in the region and posed huge security threat to travellers trasversing the region.
The order is meant to put pressure on the Nigerian government to release the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who is standing trial in Abuja for alleged terrorism.
“The meeting condemned the sit-at-home orders, which are mostly issued by our people in diaspora who do not feel the pains, the meeting resolved that Governors and all (the) people of the South-east do everything within the law to ensure that there is no further sit-at-home in the South-east and that the people are allowed to freely move about in the zone,” the governors said in the communique.
The governors condemned the killings in the region and agreed to support security agencies to restore peace.
The governor agreed that all the states in the South-east should pass a law before the end of 2021 to give legal backing to the setting up of a joint security outfit, Ebubeagu, in the region.
The meeting also mandated clergymen, the Christian Association of Nigeria, Ohanaeze and traditional rulers to continue to dialogue with youths in the region.
The Governors of Ebonyi, Imo and Enugu states and the deputy governor of Abia were Present at the meeting that also had in attendance, Senators Ike Ekweremadu, Enyinnaya Abaribe, Tobi Okechukwu, Victor Umeh, former governors, National Assembly members from the region, a former chief of Army Staff, Azubuike Ihejirika, clergymen and traditional rulers.
Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra was conspicuously absent at the meeting, neither was the state represented although governorship elections in Anambra is scheduled to hold on November 6.
The governors resolved to support the conduct of the Anambra election, and called on security agencies to ensure that the election is peaceful.
Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State hosted the meeting.
The Odoro Ikpe police station which also serves as the Divisional Police Headquarter in Ini Local Government of Akwa Ibom state has been attacked by Gunmen in the early hours of today; Saturday May 7, 2021.
Six policemen were said to have been killed in yet another attack targeted at Nigerian security Agencies. IPOB’s Easter Security Network has been accused of carrying out this attack.
Residents of Ikot Akpan in Essien Udim local government area of Akwa Ibom state have been reportedly displaced, thanks to heavy bombardment of the area by security agents in search of suspected terrorists.
Reports say the heavy bombardment
has created a humanitarian crisis, as mass movement of persons from the community
to nearby local government areas have caused a swell in the population of some
host villages.
On Tuesday, a combined
military operation had carried out bombardment on Ikot Akpan community
following the recent spate of attacks on security operatives in the area by
gunmensuspected to be members of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra-IPOB.
About four security
operatives have allegedly been killed by the gunmen who also seize their guns,
while police stations and military vehicles have also been reportedly set
ablaze in the ensuing crisis.
The military commenced
bombardment of the suspected enemy hideouts in Ikot Akpan and environs with
drones and helicopters flying at very low levels. The operation is believed to
have left an undisclosed number of casualties.
