ENUGU- A non-partisan, and economic development-oriented organisation, Anya-Ndi-Igbo, has said the Court of Appeal judgment, which discharged and acquitted the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB) Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, of all pending charges is an opportunity for President Muhammadu Buhari to initiate a process of genuine reconciliation, constructive
engagement, mutual trust and harmony in the country.
The group stated this in a statement jointly signed by the Chairman, Board of Trustees, Dr. Uma Eleazu; its President, Engr. Chris Okoye; Deputy President, Dr. Abraham Nwankwo;
Secretary, Sir Okey Nwadinobi; Chairman, Communication and Public Relations committee, Ikechukwu Amarachi; and Representative of Women Groups, Nnedinso Ogaziechi, which was made available to journalists in Enugu.
It said with the judgment, the progress being made towards building a united and great country based on the rule of law, mutual understanding and trust, had received a special boost.
Recall that the Court of Appeal, on October 13, 2022 discharged and acquitted Mazi Nnamdi Kanu of charges of terrorism.
Anya-Ndi-Igbo observed that the Judgment came at a time when people from all corners of the country were aglow with the consciousness to work together towards a New Nigeria.
According to the statement, “this show of confidence, courage and unalloyed sense of duty by the Judges of the Court of Appeal has further raised the hope that Nigeria is set to march to its position, as a respectable and reliable member of the international community.
“We salute the judiciary, which has lived up to its billing as the last hope of the common man
in this case; which had attracted the interest of the United Nations.”
The group urged the judiciary to remain steadfast in carrying out its sacred duty of dispensing justice without fear or favour.
“Nigerians are excited to look forward to a new judiciary, which commands their confidence
by always ensuring that justice is not only done, but obviously seen to be done.
“We call upon the Federal Government led by President Muhammadu Buhari to seize this
propitious opportunity to initiate a process of genuine reconciliation, constructive
engagement, mutual trust and harmony, not only with Nnamdi Kanu and his group but also
with all other aggrieved groups across the length and breadth of our dear country.
“Once more, history has placed the President in a conspicuous position to show statesmanship and we trust he will not disappoint Nigerians and, indeed, the international community.
“The President must disregard any individual or group, nudging him to sustain the momentum
of antagonism and avoidable conflict. The only explanation for such negative pressure is that
such people are merchandizing on widespread conflict and the misery, which insecurity inflicts on the citizenry, it stated”.
The statement further noted that what Nigerians needed now is a cooperative healing and mutually healthy association, not a show of official brutality and derision of the people.
“The ruling of the Appeal Court also offers a costly opportunity for our security services and
law enforcement agencies to rethink the notion that their calling is to support a system of
brutal force, rather than one of rule of law and justice.
“Indeed, it needs noting that the use
of brutal force by security services and law enforcement agencies activates the criminally-
oriented members of the society, thereby democratizing criminality towards anarchy,” the statement noted.
The group, therefore, requested and advised the Federal Government to seize the opportunity of the court judgment to start charting a robust trajectory of national unity, cohesion and mutual trust.
“Moreover, we urge the Federal Government to
respond to the various other crises besetting our country with the same positive and
constructive disposition.
“We urge and encourage unity, deriving from justice, rule of law and peace which constitute
unalloyed victory for President Muhammadu Buhari and our dear country.”the statement added.
