Aloy Ejimakor, the Special Counsel to Nnamdi Kanu, has asserted that the authority to release the Biafra agitator rests with President Bola Tinubu or the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), not the Service Chiefs. Ejimakor emphasized that Tinubu’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, does not possess the jurisdiction to release Kanu.
He criticized those portraying Kanu’s case as a security issue, asserting that it fundamentally revolves around self-determination rather than a criminal offense. Ejimakor argued that self-determination is universally recognized and not classified as a crime under Nigerian law or the African Charter’s Article 20.
In a statement posted on X, Ejimakor stated: “Freeing Nnamdi Kanu lies with the President, not the Service Chiefs. Those peddling the fallacy that the matter of MAZI NNAMDI KANU is a ‘security issue’ should stop. The truth is that his matter is a ‘self-determination’ issue, which is within the purview of the President/AGF, not the National Security Adviser.”
He continued by highlighting historical precedents where self-determination has been respected globally, contrasting this with Nigeria’s treatment of the Biafra issue. Ejimakor referenced Nigeria’s own history, including the formation of the country in 1960, the creation of the Midwest region in 1963, and the loss of Southern Cameroon to Cameroon through a referendum. He argued that the issue of Biafra should similarly be addressed through dialogue or referendum, rather than criminalization.
Recent developments include plans by Southeast governors to meet with President Tinubu to seek a political solution for Kanu’s release. Additionally, Southeast lawmakers have engaged with the Attorney General of the Federation to advocate for Kanu’s release, citing potential economic and social benefits for the region.