Treason Charges: I’m Ready to Negotiate With FG, Nnamdi Kanu

Leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has given hint of his readiness to negotiate with the Federal Government over his continued detention and resolution of the treasonable felony charges entered against him.

Kanu gave the indication via his counsel, Alloy Ejimakor, Wednesday, at the resumed hearing of the proceeding at the Federal High Court, Abuja, referring to Section 17 of the Federal High Court Act, which, according to him, made provision for amicable resolution of such matters.

While notifying the court of his client’s intention to take the negotiation route, Ejimakor noted that the only option is to activate Section 17 of the FHC Act, if the court dismissed the applications he moved on behalf of the detained IPOB leader. 

In one of the said applications, he sought the committal of the Director General of the Department of State Services, DSS, Mr. Yusuf Bichi, to prison for contempt of court while in the second, he challenged the jurisdiction of the court to continue with the trial.

“Section 17 of Federal High Court Rules, states that in any proceedings, the court may consider reconciliation and settlement,” Ejimakor added.

While responding to Ejimakor's applications, counsel to the federal government, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, averred that he earlier informed the defendant that he dies not gave the powers to embark on such negotiation as it was not part of the mandate issued to him by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

He pointed out that only the AGF possesses the authority to enter into negotiation or act in furtherance of the matter as, according to him, the case borders on alleged terrorism.

“If he is interested in negotiating, he knows the right place, the Attorney General of the Federation office,” Adegboyega volunteered.