Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has demanded a parting gift from President Muhammadu Buhari who will be leaving office on May 29.
Ohanaeze begged the President to free the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu from the custody of the State Security Service, SSS.
President-General, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu urged Buhari, who he described as an Igbo son and honourary Ohanaeze member, to ensure Kanu’s release before May 29 as a parting gift to the Southeast.
Iwuanyanwu made the plea at the flag-off of the Oguta/Orashi Waterways hydrographic survey and dredging in Degema, Imo State.
He said:
“I would like the Vice President, when you go, tell Buhari we are very grateful.
“When he took office, we were not happy, we complained. But today, at the point of departure, things have changed.
“I can see that in most states a lot has been done. Here in Imo State, a lot has been done for us.
“So, I would like you to tell our son, Buhari, that we are very grateful. And I want Buhari to realise that he is an Igbo son, an honorary Igbo man.
“He has been honoured by some Igbo states. I think Imo State has honoured him, and Ebonyi has honoured him. Chieftancy title in Igbo land is taken very seriously.
“You have to help us tell Buhari that he is an Igbo son, he is a member of Ohaneze Ndigbo by this honour given to him and what I am speaking here today, I am also speaking on his behalf.
“We are very grateful for what he has done, but before he goes, whatever he can do to bring this project to succeed will be highly appreciated.”
Kanu was charged with violating the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act 2013.
The Federal High Court in Abuja had dismissed eight of the 15 amended counts, and the Court of Appeal in Abuja later struck out the remaining seven charges.
The appellate court deemed Kanu’s extradition from Kenya in June 2021 a violation of Nigeria’s extradition treaty and a breach of his fundamental human rights. Consequently, the court ordered his release from the custody of the SSS where he has been held since his return to Nigeria.
However, the Federal Government a few weeks ago appealed to the Supreme Court and was granted leave to file nine new grounds of appeal.
The Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, performed the flag-off of the River Niger dredging project at the event in Imo State.
The project was launched at the bank of the river in the Oguta council area of Imo.
The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, and the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, were in attendance and highlighted the project’s potential to promote wealth generation and the smooth transportation of goods and services.
Other dignitaries present at the event included the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, former Imo governor, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, and former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Maurice Iwu.
