Kanu Not Off The Hook Yet, Insists National Security Council
THE National Security Council (NSC) has clarified the Federal Government’s position on the status of the case against leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, insisting that he still has a case to answer.
The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, on Thursday, October 13, quashed the terrorism charges brought against Kanu by the Federal Government, which was interpreted to translate into immediate release from detention for him.
But the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), said Kanu had not been acquitted, as there are other cases against him.
The National Security Council (NSC), presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, on Friday, October 14, said government was considering the next step to take on the matter in due course, adding that the IPOB leader had not been acquitted, though discharged of some issues in the cases against him.
Addressing journalists after the Council meeting, Minister of Police Affairs, Maigari Dingyadi, flanked by his Interior counterpart, Rauf Aregbesola, and Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, said what would become of the case against Kanu would be decided in coming days.
He stated: “Similarly, the issue of Kanu has also been raised and Council was briefed on the state of things on the matter and it was observed that Kanu was discharged, but he was not acquitted.
“So, government is considering the appropriate action to be taken on the matter and Nigerians will be notified of the position that will finally be taken on the matter in due course.”
The minister disclosed that the council only discussed the judgment, but noted that solutions to these kinds of matters could be considered as long as they are not subjudice.
The council also directed the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), in conjunction with the Office of the Secretary to Government of the Federation (OSGF), to set up a high-powered investigation committee into the crude oil theft in the Niger Delta, with a view to unraveling those behind it.
