LATEST: NNAMDI KANU SEEKS NEGOTIATION WITH FG OVER TRIAL
Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), informed the Federal High Court in Abuja that he will pursue talks with the federal government in accordance with Section 17 of the Federal High Court Act.
Since his arrest in Kenya in June 2021, Kanu has been under the custody of the DSS. The Federal Government has been bringing terrorism-related charges against him since his detention.
“In any proceeding in court, the court may promote reconciliation among parties thereto and encourage and facilitate the amicable settlement thereof,” according to Section 17 of the Federal High Court Act.
Speaking through Alloy Ejimakor, his primary attorney, Kanu disclosed this in open court on Wednesday following his motion for two motions that were filed with the court.
Form 49 and an application contesting the court’s jurisdiction are the first two applications.
If the applications are rejected, Ejimakor stated, they will pursue the application under Federal High Court Act Section 17.
In response, Federal Government attorney Adegboyega Awomolo reminded the court that he had previously advised the defendant that the fiat that was granted to him did not give him the authority to negotiate on behalf of the Federal Government.
He went on to say that the defendant ought to speak with the Federation’s Attorney General.
In her reply, Justice Binta Nyako said the court was not a solicitor, but to only hear cases.
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.
In her reply, Justice Binta Nyako said the court was not a solicitor, but to only hear cases.
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.