The lawmaker representing Ohaozara/Onicha/Ivo Federal Constituency of Ebonyi State in the House of Representatives, Honourable Kama Nkemkanma Kama has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to release the detained leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
In an open letter issued in Abuja on Friday titled, “APPEAL FOR THE RELEASE OF MAZI NNAMDI KANU: THE LAW IS THE LAW BUT LET MERCY PREVAIL OVER JUDGEMENT” and addressed to President Bola Tinubu, Hon. Kama appealed to Mr. President to “to temper justice with mercy and facilitate the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who has been detained by a court since June 27th 2021.”
The Ebonyi federal lawmaker noted that the continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has had a devastating effect on the people and economy of the Southeast region of Nigeria.
Hon. Kama Nkemkanma Kama
Hon. Kama in his letter stated that the security situation is the Southeast has deteriorated with multiple ripple effects that was fast making the region. economically desolate
According to the lawmaker, “Since the onset of this case, the South East has witnessed heightened tensions, with peaceful calls for his release hijacked and overshadowed by violent attacks from criminal elements who have exploited this detention, through the disruptive, illegal and unpopular Monday Sit-at-Home order. This has perpetuated violence and intimidation, paralyzing commerce, education, and social life. It has disrupted businesses in thriving hubs like the Main market in Onitsha and Ariaria International market in Aba, eroding the region’s economic vitality. Worse still, these criminal syndicates have taken advantage of this unrest to promote and propagate other unethical and ungodly practices leading to a surge in kidnappings, killings, and property destruction. These have inevitably led to companies shutting down, investors fleeing, rising unemployment, creating a climate of fear and instability with many towns now ghosted for fear of being exterminated by these criminals. In July 2023, it was reported by The Guardian Newspaper that an estimated N7.6 trillion had been lost in 2 years due to the crisis in the South East. Many Final year secondary school students from the zone missed writing some crucial papers in the West African Examination Council (WAEC) due to the illegal enforcement of Monday Sit-at-home order. As you can imagine countless lives have been lost to the activities of these criminals.”
The lawmaker, while appealing to the president stated that, “ as a leader known for his political sagacity and strategic thinking, your administration has the unique opportunity to rewrite the history of the South East. By facilitating Nnamdi Kanu’s release, you will be sending a strong message of unity, and national healing. You will be reaffirming your commitment to a just and fair Nigeria, where grievances are resolved through dialogue.
He reiterated his belief that the release of the detained IPOB leader will engender peace, true reconciliation and most importantly bring back the Southeast region into Nigerians collective economic, social and political prosperity and progress.
“Releasing Mazi Kanu – whether through judicial review, political negotiation, or humanitarian gesture – could achieve the following: Economic Revival; restoring confidence in the South East, halting capital flight, and revived commerce. Security Stabilisation; depriving criminal gangs of their pretext for violence, enabling security agencies to isolate and dismantle them. Political Reconciliation; opening avenues for inclusive dialogue, addressing grievances through constitutional means,” the lawmaker concluded.
