The Igbo Professional and Economic Development Association (IPEDA) has called on the Federal Government to release the detained Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, describing his continued incarceration as “a legal and moral scandal.”https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?client=ca-pub-6321061981120130&output=html&h=360&adk=1921572776&adf=2070922705&w=360&lmt=1762135243&rafmt=1&armr=3&sem=mc&pwprc=8681291153&ad_type=text_image&format=360×360&url=https%3A%2F%2Fthesun.ng%2Fsouth-east-nnamdi-kanus-continued-detention-fuels-injustice-insecurity-ipeda%2F&fwr=1&pra=3&rh=280&rw=336&rpe=1&resp_fmts=3&sfro=1&wgl=1&fa=27&uach=WyJBbmRyb2lkIiwiMTAuMC4wIiwiIiwiVEVDTk8gQ0Q2aiIsIjEzOS4wLjcyNTguNjIiLG51bGwsMSxudWxsLCIiLFtbIk5vdDtBPUJyYW5kIiwiOTkuMC4wLjAiXSxbIkdvb2dsZSBDaHJvbWUiLCIxMzkuMC43MjU4LjYyIl0sWyJDaHJvbWl1bSIsIjEzOS4wLjcyNTguNjIiXV0sMF0.&abgtt=6&dt=1762135243893&bpp=12&bdt=2652&idt=-M&shv=r20251029&mjsv=m202510280101&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&cookie=ID%3D053e5c84aaa0789c%3AT%3D1756696593%3ART%3D1762135008%3AS%3DALNI_MblcRSfJUWDUfdwpDMDvvOc3OXK7A&gpic=UID%3D000011451f220307%3AT%3D1756696593%3ART%3D1762135008%3AS%3DALNI_MZ6vzuHeJCuzpzkC6HR0SsaVbNmlA&eo_id_str=ID%3D2a693417a0595f5c%3AT%3D1754263377%3ART%3D1762135008%3AS%3DAA-Afjav8RCILNd98co-5J2rgG3g&prev_fmts=0x0%2C150x600%2C360x360%2C360x360%2C300x600%2C360x375%2C360x375&nras=2&correlator=5118378642547&rume=1&frm=20&pv=1&u_tz=60&u_his=40&u_h=800&u_w=360&u_ah=800&u_aw=360&u_cd=24&u_sd=2&dmc=4&adx=0&ady=1379&biw=360&bih=656&scr_x=0&scr_y=0&eid=31095514%2C31095559%2C95376112%2C95376435%2C95344791%2C95373849%2C95376282%2C95376892%2C31061691%2C31061693&oid=2&pvsid=8261684744372639&tmod=848905692&uas=0&nvt=1&ref=https%3A%2F%2Fthesun.ng%2F&fc=1408&brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C360%2C0%2C360%2C656%2C360%2C657&vis=1&rsz=%7C%7Cs%7C&abl=NS&fu=128&bc=31&bz=1&td=1&tdf=2&psd=W251bGwsbnVsbCxudWxsLDNd&nt=1&bisch=0&blev=0.19&num_ads=1&ifi=11&uci=a!b&btvi=3&fsb=1&dtd=137
Speaking in Enugu on Sunday, President of IPEDA, Obinna Okafor, said there was no justification for keeping the IPOB leader in custody despite several court orders calling for his release.
According to him, the situation has continued to heighten tension in the Southeast and deepen feelings of marginalization.https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?client=ca-pub-6321061981120130&output=html&h=360&adk=1921572776&adf=3651594294&w=360&lmt=1762135243&rafmt=1&armr=3&sem=mc&pwprc=8681291153&ad_type=text_image&format=360×360&url=https%3A%2F%2Fthesun.ng%2Fsouth-east-nnamdi-kanus-continued-detention-fuels-injustice-insecurity-ipeda%2F&fwr=1&pra=3&rh=280&rw=336&rpe=1&resp_fmts=3&sfro=1&wgl=1&fa=27&uach=WyJBbmRyb2lkIiwiMTAuMC4wIiwiIiwiVEVDTk8gQ0Q2aiIsIjEzOS4wLjcyNTguNjIiLG51bGwsMSxudWxsLCIiLFtbIk5vdDtBPUJyYW5kIiwiOTkuMC4wLjAiXSxbIkdvb2dsZSBDaHJvbWUiLCIxMzkuMC43MjU4LjYyIl0sWyJDaHJvbWl1bSIsIjEzOS4wLjcyNTguNjIiXV0sMF0.&abgtt=6&dt=1762135243893&bpp=12&bdt=2651&idt=-M&shv=r20251029&mjsv=m202510280101&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&cookie=ID%3D053e5c84aaa0789c%3AT%3D1756696593%3ART%3D1762135008%3AS%3DALNI_MblcRSfJUWDUfdwpDMDvvOc3OXK7A&gpic=UID%3D000011451f220307%3AT%3D1756696593%3ART%3D1762135008%3AS%3DALNI_MZ6vzuHeJCuzpzkC6HR0SsaVbNmlA&eo_id_str=ID%3D2a693417a0595f5c%3AT%3D1754263377%3ART%3D1762135008%3AS%3DAA-Afjav8RCILNd98co-5J2rgG3g&prev_fmts=0x0%2C150x600%2C360x360%2C360x360%2C300x600%2C360x375%2C360x375%2C360x360&nras=3&correlator=5118378642547&rume=1&frm=20&pv=1&u_tz=60&u_his=40&u_h=800&u_w=360&u_ah=800&u_aw=360&u_cd=24&u_sd=2&dmc=4&adx=0&ady=2059&biw=360&bih=656&scr_x=0&scr_y=0&eid=31095514%2C31095559%2C95376112%2C95376435%2C95344791%2C95373849%2C95376282%2C95376892%2C31061691%2C31061693&oid=2&pvsid=8261684744372639&tmod=848905692&uas=0&nvt=1&ref=https%3A%2F%2Fthesun.ng%2F&fc=1408&brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C360%2C0%2C360%2C656%2C360%2C657&vis=1&rsz=%7C%7Cs%7C&abl=NS&fu=128&bc=31&bz=1&td=1&tdf=2&psd=W251bGwsbnVsbCxudWxsLDNd&nt=1&bisch=0&blev=0.19&num_ads=1&ifi=12&uci=a!c&btvi=4&fsb=1&dtd=142
“We are not calling for Nnamdi Kanu’s release out of blind loyalty or endorsement of his rhetoric. We are calling for common sense and justice. His continued incarceration – despite multiple court orders and appeals from well-meaning Nigerians, political leaders, and traditional rulers – has become both a legal and moral scandal,” Okafor said.
He noted that the Federal Government has recently been engaging and releasing individuals involved in serious crimes, a development he said makes Kanu’s prolonged detention even more questionable.
“The call becomes more imperative as the president just announced the granting of amnesty and forgiveness to over 82 convicted Nigerians, some of them who committed heinous crimes against the country. If Nnamdi Kanu is included in this list of pardoned people, it will be the most welcomed development in our quest for a peaceful and united country,” he added.https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?client=ca-pub-6321061981120130&output=html&h=360&adk=1921572776&adf=923389292&w=360&lmt=1762135244&rafmt=1&armr=3&sem=mc&pwprc=8681291153&ad_type=text_image&format=360×360&url=https%3A%2F%2Fthesun.ng%2Fsouth-east-nnamdi-kanus-continued-detention-fuels-injustice-insecurity-ipeda%2F&fwr=1&pra=3&rh=280&rw=336&rpe=1&resp_fmts=3&sfro=1&wgl=1&fa=27&uach=WyJBbmRyb2lkIiwiMTAuMC4wIiwiIiwiVEVDTk8gQ0Q2aiIsIjEzOS4wLjcyNTguNjIiLG51bGwsMSxudWxsLCIiLFtbIk5vdDtBPUJyYW5kIiwiOTkuMC4wLjAiXSxbIkdvb2dsZSBDaHJvbWUiLCIxMzkuMC43MjU4LjYyIl0sWyJDaHJvbWl1bSIsIjEzOS4wLjcyNTguNjIiXV0sMF0.&abgtt=6&dt=1762135243893&bpp=11&bdt=2652&idt=-M&shv=r20251029&mjsv=m202510280101&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&cookie=ID%3D053e5c84aaa0789c%3AT%3D1756696593%3ART%3D1762135008%3AS%3DALNI_MblcRSfJUWDUfdwpDMDvvOc3OXK7A&gpic=UID%3D000011451f220307%3AT%3D1756696593%3ART%3D1762135008%3AS%3DALNI_MZ6vzuHeJCuzpzkC6HR0SsaVbNmlA&eo_id_str=ID%3D2a693417a0595f5c%3AT%3D1754263377%3ART%3D1762135008%3AS%3DAA-Afjav8RCILNd98co-5J2rgG3g&prev_fmts=0x0%2C150x600%2C360x360%2C360x360%2C300x600%2C360x375%2C360x375%2C360x360%2C360x360&nras=4&correlator=5118378642547&rume=1&frm=20&pv=1&u_tz=60&u_his=40&u_h=800&u_w=360&u_ah=800&u_aw=360&u_cd=24&u_sd=2&dmc=4&adx=0&ady=3672&biw=360&bih=656&scr_x=0&scr_y=0&eid=31095514%2C31095559%2C95376112%2C95376435%2C95344791%2C95373849%2C95376282%2C95376892%2C31061691%2C31061693&oid=2&pvsid=8261684744372639&tmod=848905692&uas=0&nvt=1&ref=https%3A%2F%2Fthesun.ng%2F&fc=1408&brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C360%2C0%2C360%2C656%2C360%2C657&vis=1&rsz=%7C%7Cs%7C&abl=NS&fu=128&bc=31&bz=1&td=1&tdf=2&psd=W251bGwsbnVsbCxudWxsLDNd&nt=1&bisch=0&blev=0.19&num_ads=1&ifi=13&uci=a!d&btvi=5&fsb=1&dtd=149
Okafor argued that keeping the IPOB leader in custody while negotiating with terrorists sends a troubling signal that the Southeast is treated differently from other parts of the country.
“In the face of the government’s open negotiations with terrorists and violent criminals, the refusal to release Kanu reinforces the perception that the Southeast is treated under a different set of laws and standards. This sense of injustice continues to fuel anger, resentment, and insecurity,” he said.https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?client=ca-pub-6321061981120130&output=html&h=360&adk=1921572776&adf=1993136583&w=360&lmt=1762135244&rafmt=1&armr=3&sem=mc&pwprc=8681291153&ad_type=text_image&format=360×360&url=https%3A%2F%2Fthesun.ng%2Fsouth-east-nnamdi-kanus-continued-detention-fuels-injustice-insecurity-ipeda%2F&fwr=1&pra=3&rh=280&rw=336&rpe=1&resp_fmts=3&sfro=1&wgl=1&fa=27&uach=WyJBbmRyb2lkIiwiMTAuMC4wIiwiIiwiVEVDTk8gQ0Q2aiIsIjEzOS4wLjcyNTguNjIiLG51bGwsMSxudWxsLCIiLFtbIk5vdDtBPUJyYW5kIiwiOTkuMC4wLjAiXSxbIkdvb2dsZSBDaHJvbWUiLCIxMzkuMC43MjU4LjYyIl0sWyJDaHJvbWl1bSIsIjEzOS4wLjcyNTguNjIiXV0sMF0.&abgtt=6&dt=1762135243893&bpp=12&bdt=2652&idt=12&shv=r20251029&mjsv=m202510280101&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&cookie=ID%3D053e5c84aaa0789c%3AT%3D1756696593%3ART%3D1762135008%3AS%3DALNI_MblcRSfJUWDUfdwpDMDvvOc3OXK7A&gpic=UID%3D000011451f220307%3AT%3D1756696593%3ART%3D1762135008%3AS%3DALNI_MZ6vzuHeJCuzpzkC6HR0SsaVbNmlA&eo_id_str=ID%3D2a693417a0595f5c%3AT%3D1754263377%3ART%3D1762135008%3AS%3DAA-Afjav8RCILNd98co-5J2rgG3g&prev_fmts=0x0%2C150x600%2C360x360%2C360x360%2C300x600%2C360x375%2C360x375%2C360x360%2C360x360%2C360x360&nras=5&correlator=5118378642547&rume=1&frm=20&pv=1&u_tz=60&u_his=40&u_h=800&u_w=360&u_ah=800&u_aw=360&u_cd=24&u_sd=2&dmc=4&adx=0&ady=4480&biw=360&bih=656&scr_x=0&scr_y=0&eid=31095514%2C31095559%2C95376112%2C95376435%2C95344791%2C95373849%2C95376282%2C95376892%2C31061691%2C31061693&oid=2&pvsid=8261684744372639&tmod=848905692&uas=0&nvt=1&ref=https%3A%2F%2Fthesun.ng%2F&fc=1408&brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C360%2C0%2C360%2C656%2C360%2C657&vis=1&rsz=%7C%7Cs%7C&abl=NS&fu=128&bc=31&bz=1&td=1&tdf=2&psd=W251bGwsbnVsbCxudWxsLDNd&nt=1&bisch=0&blev=0.19&num_ads=1&ifi=14&uci=a!e&btvi=6&fsb=1&dtd=156
He maintained that releasing Kanu would open the door to genuine dialogue, reconciliation, and a more peaceful region.
“The Federal Government must demonstrate a genuine commitment to peace and national healing by complying with court orders and releasing Nnamdi Kanu. His release would not only open the door to dialogue and reconciliation but also remove one of the key rallying points exploited by violent elements in the region.”
He pointed to the Niger Delta amnesty programme as evidence that force alone does not resolve political conflicts.
“History has shown that coercion does not resolve political conflicts – dialogue does. The amnesty programme in the Niger Delta, flawed as it was, proved that engagement and inclusion can end violence where force failed. The same approach is needed in the Southeast today.”
Okafor also referenced recent appeals by former president Olusegun Obasanjo, former vice president Atiku Abubakar, and other prominent Nigerians who have urged the government to free the IPOB leader.https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?client=ca-pub-6321061981120130&output=html&h=360&adk=1921572776&adf=2347169553&w=360&lmt=1762135270&rafmt=1&armr=3&sem=mc&pwprc=8681291153&ad_type=text_image&format=360×360&url=https%3A%2F%2Fthesun.ng%2Fsouth-east-nnamdi-kanus-continued-detention-fuels-injustice-insecurity-ipeda%2F&fwr=1&pra=3&rh=280&rw=336&rpe=1&resp_fmts=3&sfro=1&wgl=1&fa=27&uach=WyJBbmRyb2lkIiwiMTAuMC4wIiwiIiwiVEVDTk8gQ0Q2aiIsIjEzOS4wLjcyNTguNjIiLG51bGwsMSxudWxsLCIiLFtbIk5vdDtBPUJyYW5kIiwiOTkuMC4wLjAiXSxbIkdvb2dsZSBDaHJvbWUiLCIxMzkuMC43MjU4LjYyIl0sWyJDaHJvbWl1bSIsIjEzOS4wLjcyNTguNjIiXV0sMF0.&abgtt=6&dt=1762135243924&bpp=12&bdt=2683&idt=12&shv=r20251029&mjsv=m202510280101&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&cookie=ID%3D053e5c84aaa0789c%3AT%3D1756696593%3ART%3D1762135008%3AS%3DALNI_MblcRSfJUWDUfdwpDMDvvOc3OXK7A&gpic=UID%3D000011451f220307%3AT%3D1756696593%3ART%3D1762135008%3AS%3DALNI_MZ6vzuHeJCuzpzkC6HR0SsaVbNmlA&eo_id_str=ID%3D2a693417a0595f5c%3AT%3D1754263377%3ART%3D1762135008%3AS%3DAA-Afjav8RCILNd98co-5J2rgG3g&prev_fmts=0x0%2C150x600%2C360x360%2C360x360%2C300x600%2C360x375%2C360x375%2C360x360%2C360x360%2C360x360%2C360x360&nras=6&correlator=5118378642547&rume=1&frm=20&pv=1&u_tz=60&u_his=40&u_h=800&u_w=360&u_ah=800&u_aw=360&u_cd=24&u_sd=2&dmc=4&adx=0&ady=4685&biw=360&bih=656&scr_x=0&scr_y=104&eid=31095514%2C31095559%2C95376112%2C95376435%2C95344791%2C95373849%2C95376282%2C95376892%2C31061691%2C31061693&oid=2&pvsid=8261684744372639&tmod=848905692&uas=1&nvt=1&ref=https%3A%2F%2Fthesun.ng%2F&fc=1408&brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C360%2C0%2C360%2C656%2C360%2C657&vis=1&rsz=%7C%7Cs%7C&abl=NS&fu=128&bc=31&bz=1&td=1&tdf=2&psd=W251bGwsbnVsbCxudWxsLDNd&nt=1&bisch=0&blev=0.19&num_ads=1&ifi=15&uci=a!f&btvi=7&fsb=1&dtd=26298
“Many prominent Nigerians have been calling for the pardon and release of Nnamdi Kanu including recently former president Olusegun Obasanjo and former vice president Atiku Abubakar among others. All these well-meaning Nigerians cannot be wrong at the same time in this issue of prolonged incarceration of Nnamdi Kanu.”
The IPEDA president insisted that Nigeria cannot claim loyalty to rule of law while selectively obeying court orders.https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?client=ca-pub-6321061981120130&output=html&h=360&adk=1921572776&adf=3784639440&w=360&lmt=1762135271&rafmt=1&armr=3&sem=mc&pwprc=8681291153&ad_type=text_image&format=360×360&url=https%3A%2F%2Fthesun.ng%2Fsouth-east-nnamdi-kanus-continued-detention-fuels-injustice-insecurity-ipeda%2F&fwr=1&pra=3&rh=280&rw=336&rpe=1&resp_fmts=3&sfro=1&wgl=1&fa=27&uach=WyJBbmRyb2lkIiwiMTAuMC4wIiwiIiwiVEVDTk8gQ0Q2aiIsIjEzOS4wLjcyNTguNjIiLG51bGwsMSxudWxsLCIiLFtbIk5vdDtBPUJyYW5kIiwiOTkuMC4wLjAiXSxbIkdvb2dsZSBDaHJvbWUiLCIxMzkuMC43MjU4LjYyIl0sWyJDaHJvbWl1bSIsIjEzOS4wLjcyNTguNjIiXV0sMF0.&abgtt=6&dt=1762135243955&bpp=12&bdt=2714&idt=12&shv=r20251029&mjsv=m202510280101&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&cookie=ID%3D053e5c84aaa0789c%3AT%3D1756696593%3ART%3D1762135008%3AS%3DALNI_MblcRSfJUWDUfdwpDMDvvOc3OXK7A&gpic=UID%3D000011451f220307%3AT%3D1756696593%3ART%3D1762135008%3AS%3DALNI_MZ6vzuHeJCuzpzkC6HR0SsaVbNmlA&eo_id_str=ID%3D2a693417a0595f5c%3AT%3D1754263377%3ART%3D1762135008%3AS%3DAA-Afjav8RCILNd98co-5J2rgG3g&prev_fmts=0x0%2C150x600%2C360x360%2C360x360%2C300x600%2C360x375%2C360x375%2C360x360%2C360x360%2C360x360%2C360x360%2C360x360&nras=7&correlator=5118378642547&rume=1&frm=20&pv=1&u_tz=60&u_his=40&u_h=800&u_w=360&u_ah=800&u_aw=360&u_cd=24&u_sd=2&dmc=4&adx=0&ady=5069&biw=360&bih=656&scr_x=0&scr_y=511&eid=31095514%2C31095559%2C95376112%2C95376435%2C95344791%2C95373849%2C95376282%2C95376892%2C31061691%2C31061693&oid=2&pvsid=8261684744372639&tmod=848905692&uas=1&nvt=1&ref=https%3A%2F%2Fthesun.ng%2F&fc=1408&brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C360%2C0%2C360%2C656%2C360%2C657&vis=1&rsz=%7C%7Cs%7C&abl=NS&fu=128&bc=31&bz=1&td=1&tdf=2&psd=W251bGwsbnVsbCxudWxsLDNd&nt=1&bisch=0&blev=0.19&num_ads=1&ifi=16&uci=a!g&btvi=8&fsb=1&dtd=27249
“In the final analysis, the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu is unjust, unlawful, and counterproductive. It perpetuates a cycle of alienation and distrust that fuels the insecurity now ravaging the Southeast.
“Nigeria cannot claim to be a democracy governed by the rule of law while it chooses which court orders to obey and which region deserves justice. Releasing Nnamdi Kanu is not a concession – it is a necessary step toward restoring justice, rebuilding peace, and reaffirming that all Nigerians, regardless of region, are equal before the law.”
Credit: The Sun