Ohanaeze Ndigbo has reacted following the ruling of a Court of Appeal in Abuja releasing Nnamdi Kanu.
The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has reacted after the Appeal Court in Abuja on Thursday acquitted Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra.
Ohanaeze said the decision is a landmark judgment.
Ohanaeze spokesman, Dr Alex Ogbonnia, who spoke to Punch in a telephone interview said, “I receive the news with happiness, joy and jubilation. It’s jubilation galore across the entire South-East and Nigeria in general because we are relieved by the Appeal Court judgment. It’s a landmark and I am very much happy.
“We commend every other person who have stood behind the Igbo race in this struggle and above all, we also commend Nnamdi Kanu because what he is fighting in IPOB is an expression of the outcome, effect and not a cause.
“The cause is the circumstances surrounding Nigeria: hardship, marginalisation, lopsidedness. So, what is happening in IPOB is an expression of dissatisfaction with the Nigerian system of governance.
“Nnamdi Kanu is representing Igbo collectiveness of consciousness. We are very happy with the landmark judgment. It’s one of the very best judgments ever delivered by the judiciary.”
Reacting, a political activist, Omoyele Sowore, said the next thing is for Kanu to be allowed to go home immediately.
He tweeted, “#FreeNnamdiKanuNow: We warned Muhammadu Buhari that the abduction of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from Kenya was a grave mistake! Now they’re sulking. Next, Let Mazi Nnamdi go home tonight! #WeCantContinueLikeThis.”
Kanu’s disciple, Simon Ekpa, also demanded the unconditional release of the IPOB leader, saying, “Court has declared Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s abduction & extraordinary rendition from Kenya illegal, that it was done in clear and egregious violation of extant international laws. All we want is the unconditional release of MNK nothing more.”
On his part, a human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, said, “Should the Federal Government decide to appeal against the discharge and acquittal of Nnamdi Kanu by the Court of Appeal, it must still release Kanu. This is because the liberty of a citizen cannot be stayed. There is no room for a stay of execution in this kind of case.”