Nnamdi Kanu, the embattled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has made a surprising move by indicating his willingness to negotiate with the Nigerian government.
This development comes as a significant shift in Kanu’s stance, who has been a vocal advocate for the independence of the Igbo people and has been standing trial on terrorism-related charges.
Kanu, through his lawyer, Alloy Ejimakor, expressed a desire to explore an out-of-court settlement with the Nigerian government during a Federal High Court hearing in Abuja, where he is facing trial, on Wednesday.
Kanu stands accused of terrorism charges stemming from his advocacy for Biafran independence. Following his re-arrest in Kenya in 2021, he has been on trial. Previous attempts to have the charges dismissed or secure bail have been unsuccessful.
Kanu’s legal team, citing Section 17 of the Federal High Court Act that allows for promoting reconciliation, is proposing negotiations as an alternative to the protracted trial. This section empowers the court to encourage settlements between parties in a lawsuit.
The move is seen as a significant development in the long-standing conflict between Kanu and the Nigerian government.
Previously, Kanu had applied to the court to dismiss the charges against him, arguing that the court lacked jurisdiction. However, the court ruled that it had the authority to hear the case.
Kanu’s decision to negotiate comes after a court directive for both parties to explore reconciliation.
Ezinwanne Onwuka, senior staff reporter and columnist with WAP is a Nigerian-based writer and content developer. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Her interests include reading, writing, researching and graphic designing.
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