After
fulfilling his bail conditions, the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of
Biafra (IPOB) and director of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu has been
released from prison.
Leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) and director of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu
The leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) and director
of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu has left Kuje prison in Abuja after
spending close to two years of detention by the Nigerian government,
according to Sahara Reporters.
Also, his release was confirmed by his lawyer, Mr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor.
Ejiofor who said his client met all outstanding conditions on Friday
and was released shortly after all necessary documents were signed by
the trial judge.
“Nnamdi Kanu left the prison at about 5pm after meeting the bail conditions,” Ejiofor told Punch.
According to a prison source, Kanu left the prison yard a few
minutes ago after fulfilling his bail conditions, his co-defendants in a
treason trial remained in detention. His release was made possible
after a Federal High Court in Abuja granted him bail on health
conditions.
Three sources told SaharaReporters that Mr. Kanu's immediate
release followed a series of negotiations between a few politicians and
activists from the Igbo-dominated southeast geopolitical zone and
members of President Muhammadu Buhari's government. Speaking on
condition of anonymity, one of the sources, a close associate of Mr.
Buhari’s administration, disclosed that one of the central concerns of
the negotiations was to find ways of de-escalating the political tension
that has arisen due to renewed agitation by pro-Biafra separatists led
by Mr. Kanu and others.
A prison source revealed that Kuje prison authorities released Mr.
Kanu's a few minutes ago adding that the paperwork to realize the
separatist leader’s release was finalized by Mr. Kanu’s lawyers and
government officials.
According to the prison source, Mr. Kanu, whose fiery rhetoric
included describing Nigeria as a zoo and threatening to amass weapons
with which to achieve Biafran secession, was celebrated by fellow
detainees and prisoners at Kuje who had one favor or another to ask him
once he was released from prolonged detention.
Mr. Kanu, who has gained greater popularity during his detention,
is expected to meet with several politicians and activists to discuss
the future of his plans to achieve the secession of Biafra, a swathe of
Nigeria’s southeastern territory that is predominantly home to the Igbo.
No comments:
Post a Comment