Dr. Monday Ubani, the former chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL), has made an appeal to President Bola Tinubu.
Ubani urges the President to initiate the process of healing in the South East region by releasing Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), and addressing the deplorable state of roads in the area.
In a letter dated July 10, 2023, Ubani acknowledges the President’s recent efforts to address the numerous challenges facing the country. However, he pleads for similar attention to be given to tackling the issues of insecurity and poor infrastructure in the South East.
Ubani emphasizes that for the current government to effectively execute its commendable projects, all regions of the country must be included and feel a genuine sense of belonging.
The human rights lawyer believes that the first crucial step toward achieving peace in the region is to find a political solution to the ongoing detention of Kanu. He advises the President to release Kanu into the custody of the governors in the South East region.
The human rights lawyer said that the first step towards ensuring peace in the region is a political solution to the endless incarceration of Kanu, advising the President to release him to governors of the region.
Ubani said: “There are two issues that deserve urgent attention, Mr. President. I crave your indulgence that you handle them fast.
“One is the indefinite detention of Kanu in the Department of State Services (DSS) custody and the attendant insecurity in the region as a result of Kanu’s long incarceration.
“Second, the state of bad roads in the South East, especially the Ikwuano-Ikot Ekpene, Aba-Ikot Ekpene and Aba-Port Harcourt roads, among others.
“Kanu’s continued detention on ground of an appeal filed by the outgone Minister of Justice/Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), which, on perusal, does not disclose recondite grounds of law, gives me serious cause for concern.
“That the matter is not being given expeditious consideration is very depressing. My worry is that some criminal elements in the South East have latched on this to keep the entire region under serious threat of insecurity, loss of lives and all forms of criminality.”
According to him, the criminals have destroyed the economic prospects of the region by determining days when people should come out to pursue their daily economic activities.
“Mr. President, the ball is in your court to start the healing process in the region by releasing Kanu from detention and handing him over to leaders in the region,” he pleaded.
