The leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has informed the Federal High Court in Abuja of his intention to seek negotiations with the Federal Government under Section 17 of the Federal High Court Act.
Kanu has been in DSS custody since June 2021, following his arrest in Kenya, and faces terrorism-related charges brought by the Federal Government.
Section 17 of the Federal High Court Act stipulates that “In any proceeding in the court, the court may promote reconciliation among parties thereto and encourage and facilitate the amicable settlement thereof.”
Kanu’s lead counsel, Alloy Ejimakor, made this announcement in open court on Wednesday after presenting two applications: one to move form 49 and another challenging the court’s jurisdiction.
Ejimakor stated that if these applications were denied, they would invoke Section 17 of the Federal High Court Act.
In response, the Federal Government’s counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo, informed the court that he lacked the authority to negotiate on behalf of the government, as his mandate did not include negotiation powers. He advised the defendant to approach the Attorney General of the Federation.
Justice Binta Nyako replied that the court’s role was not to act as a solicitor but to adjudicate cases.
We are all for peace
Kanu, who arrived in court in the presence of his lawyers on Wednesday, also spoke on the killings in the South-East.
He insisted he was all for peace, and had no hand in the murder of the some soldiers in Abia State a few weeks ago.
“I condemn in its entirety all of the killings, because IPOB was founded on a non-violent principle, and we maintain that stand. And some of these soldiers, we were told are also our people, and his family is in mourning right now.
“So I condemn all the killings. I don’t want that. We are fighting for freedom, so, how can we want violence? We want people to be free. We have suffered a lot in Africa, from slavery in Arabia, Europe and now slavery in America.
“This is when to focus on this continent, and be what God wants us to be, so that they will know that we know what we are doing,’ he told journalists in court.