Kanu: ready for talks with FG

Detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, in Abuja on Friday said he was willing to enter into negotiation with the Federal Government end the crisis that has resulted from his trial on charges treasonable felony and continued detention.

Kanu who spoke against the background of release of some members of IPOB from detention recently by the security agencies however denied claims of  links with Niger Delta militant groups, notably the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta and Niger Delta Avengers.

The two groups had in purported statements made release of the Biafran leader from detention one of the conditions for ending their agitations as manifested in destruction of oil production and export assets in the Niger Delta.

The IPOB leader who has been in detention since October 2015 is being tried by the Federal Government on charges of treason alongside two members of his group- Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi.

While speaking through his lawyers, Ifeanyi Ejiofor and Amobi Nzelu, at a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, Kanu said he was not opposed to negotiation to secure his freedom from detention which he described as “politically motivated and orchestrated.”

The two lawyers who added that the IPOB leader has lost confidence in the Judge handling his trial said Kanu will however not renounce his ideology for him to be released, because “IPOB is bigger than him.”

The two lawyers also said a political, rather than a legal solution is a more viable proposition to resolving the crises caused by the continued detention of Kanu as a single individual cannot be charged with treasonable felony as the crime is defined under the Nigeria law.

“The six count charges proffered against our clients show in summary that our client (Namdi Kanu) is facing three charges; treasonable felony, managing unlawful society and concealing goods in a container holding goods of different description.

“The second defendant Mr. Benjamin Madubugwu is facing two count charges (that is counts 4 and 5) of assisting the management of unlawful society and unlawful possession of firearms, while the third defendant is facing only one count charge of assisting the management of unlawful society.

“The question now arises as to whether a single individual can be charged solely with the offence of treasonable felony, considering the ingredients of the offence of treason as enumerated under section 41 of the Criminal Code Act cap C38 laws of the federation of Nigeria.”

“In the past few day, the media was awash with news on negotiation going on between the Federal government and members of MEND, where our client’s name (Nnamdi Kanu) conspicuously featured.

“It is on that note that we wish to inform the general public that Nnamdi Kanu has no connection, contact, ties or any kind of relationship with members of the MEND. As such MEND has no implied, direct or express authority of Nnamdi Kanu to represent him or IPOB in any purported negotiation going on between MEND and the Federal Government.

“The general public is accordingly advised to ignore, discountenance and disregard the falsehood been peddled by MEND.

“Kanu will not renounce his ideology, IPOB is bigger than him. He cannot say yes or no to renouncing it. But he is opened to political resolutions of the problem. Nobody has approached him for negotiation where he is kept,” Ejiofor said.

“The issue of IPOB is beyond him, he is opened to Negotiation, we are not against discussion on this issue. A political solution will be easily achieved than legal solution but Kanu must be released unconditionally.

“He welcomes genuine political solution to this case. Nnamdi Kanu has people of proven integrity and impeccable character that will negotiate on his behalf, based on his demands when communication on this effect is established,” he added.