Drop treason charges against Kanu as done to Sowore, Ohanaeze appeals Tinubu

FOLLOWING recent withdrawal of the treasonable felony charge against the Yoruba activist, Omoyere Sowore, the Chidi Ibeh- led faction of the apex Igbo sociocultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, yesterday, appealed to President Bola Tinubu to demonstrate integrity and justice by immediately dropping the terrorism charges against the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra ( IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

The Igbo group noted that consistency and equality before the law are non- negotiable in a democratic society, and any deviation undermines the fabric of justice and equity.

In a statement in Abakaliki, the Secretary General of the Ohanaeze faction, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, said that Ohanaeze lauds the Federal Government’s decision in Sowore’s case, saying that for the sake of equity and justice, the same should be extended to Kanu.

The statement reads: “In a resolute and unyielding stance, Ohanaeze issues an urgent appeal to Tinubu to demonstrate integrity and justice by immediately dropping the terrorism charges against Kanu. This critical moment demands bold and decisive leadership to steer Nigeria towards true healing and unity.

“The apex Igbo socio- cultural organisation lauds the Federal Government’s decision in the Sowore case, emphasising the imperative for parity under the law. Fairness and equality must prevail, and we steadfastly demand that the same measure of justice be extended to the IPOB leader without delay. The principles of justice must be blind to ethnic affiliations or political considerations.

“Ahead of Monday, February 26, 2024, resumption date for the trial against the IPOB leader, Nigerians, particularly Ndigbo, passionately implores Tinubu to instruct the Attorney General of the Federation to stop Kanu’s trial and withdraw all charges against him, citing legal provisions as seen in the Sowore matter.

“Recognising the political landscape, Ohanaeze asserts that the release of Kanu transcends mere legality; it signifies a moral reckoning and a pivotal step towards rectifying the injustices of the past.”

Speaker, Ondo State House of Assembly, Olamide Oladiji ( left); Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly/ Chairman, Conference of Speakers in South West, Adeoye Aribasoye; Governor Biodun Oyebanji; Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin, and Speaker, Osun Assembly, Adewale Egbegun during the Speakers’ courtesy visit to Ekiti Governor’s office, in Ado- Ekiti.