Nnamdi Kanu a political prisoner, detained without trial–Afenifere

 

Joseph Irikefe

 

The Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, has demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).

Afenifere, in a communique released on Tuesday, expressed concerns that Nnamdi Kanu’s right to a fair hearing may no longer be ensured due to the ongoing, conflicting legal proceedings in various courts.

The Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, has demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).

Afenifere, in a communique released on Tuesday, expressed concerns that Nnamdi Kanu’s right to a fair hearing may no longer be ensured due to the ongoing, conflicting legal proceedings in various courts.

The communique was issued at a general meeting chaired by the Afenifere’s Deputy Leader, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, in Isanya-Ogbo, the hometown of organisation’s leader, Ayo Adebanjo.

Signed by Olaitan and the group’s National Publicity Secretary, Justice Faloye, the organisation called for Kanu’s release in the interest of justice and national reconciliation.

The organisation, referring to Kanu as a political detainee, argued that there is no valid reason for his continued detention without trial.

Afenifere said, “Afenifere notes that from all circumstances, particularly since his abduction in 2021 and repatriation to Nigeria and since then subjected to controversial and conflicting legal proceedings in different courts by which his fair trial may no longer be guaranteed in the opinion of reasonable members of the public, it is clear that Nnamdi Kanu is undoubtedly a political detainee.

“There is no justifiable reason to continue to keep him in detention without trial.”

The organisation which also announced the appointment of human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi, as its National Organising Secretary, said, “The General Meeting considered and approved the appointment of Barrister Dele Farotimi as the National Organising Secretary of the Afenifere.”

Also reaffirming its call for creation of state police, Afenifere added, “Afenifere reiterates the position that Nigeria with its vast territory, population, and as a federation cannot be effectively and meaningfully secured with a single command unitary police structure and thus the need for the restructuring to ensure immediate constitutional institutionalization of state police.

“The steps will prevent a situation where the Governor of Oyo State, even as the Chief Security Officer, had to helplessly and lamentably make an outcry on the infiltration of bandits into his state.”