*Ready To Negotiate With FG

DETAINED leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, at the Federal High Court in Abuja for his resumed trial on Wednesday, June 19, insisted he was all for peace and had no hand in the murder of the some soldiers in Abia State a few weeks ago.

He stated: “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 their families 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 the court premises, as his legal team demanded his release.

     Kanu’s lawyers, led by Mr. Nnaemeka Ejiofor, had earlier submitted a full list of judgments in the matter, from domestic and international courts, directing the release of their client, to the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), at the Federal Ministry of Justice in Abuja.

Ejiofor explained that the decision to forward all the pronouncements was in response to the statement credited to the AGF that he was not aware of Kanu’s case and that his fate would be resolved by the court.

Ejiofor also asked President Bola Tinubu to release Kanu and respect the various judgments directing his release.

Recall that on May 24, Fagbemi said Kanu’s offence was a difficult one and can only be resolved by a competent court of law, noting that there was a remarkable difference between his case and that of Omoyele Sowore.

Kanu’s lawyers had some days earlier filed a preliminary objection at a Federal High Court in Abuja, asking the trial Judge, Justice Binta Nyako, to decline jurisdiction to proceed with the trial against him.

The court was to determine whether the court has the jurisdiction to try Kanu for any, or all the offences charged against him in Counts 1, 2, 4,5 and 8, to quash the said counts on the ground that the law which the said counts were predicated, was unconstitutional.

Justice Nyako dismissed the request for the restoration of his revoked bail and removal from the custody of the Department of State Service (DSS) since June 2021 to a house arrest or prison custody.

Meanwhile, Kanu told the court that he would, under Section 17 of the Federal High Court Act, seek negotiations with the Federal Government over the terrorism-related charges levelled against him.

Section 17 of the Federal High Court Act states: “In any proceeding in the court, the court may promote reconciliation among parties thereto and encourage and facilitate the amicable settlement thereof.”

Kanu, through his Counsel, Mr. Alloy Ejimakor, stated on Wednesday, June 19, after he moved two applications brought before the court.

The first application is to move Form 49 and an application objecting to the jurisdiction of the court. If the applications are denied, Ejimakor said they would move for the implementation of Section 17 of the Federal High Court Act.

But while responding, Counsel to the Federal Government, Mr. Adegboyega Awomolo, told the court that he had earlier informed the defendant that he does not have the powers to negotiate on behalf of the Federal Government, as the brief given to him does not empower him to negotiate, urging him to approach the AGF.

To these, Justice Binta Nyako said the court was not a solicitor, but to only hear cases.