The leadership of the Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, has called on President Bola Tinubu to release the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
The group in a communique on Tuesday said the fair hearing of the separatist leader may no longer be guaranteed due to controversial and conflicting legal proceedings in different courts.
The communique was issued after its general meeting – presided over by the group’s deputy leader Oba Oladipo Olaitan – held at Isanya-Ogbo, the hometown of its leader, Ayo Adebanjo.
In the statement signed by both Olaitan and the National Publicity Secretary of the group Justice Faloye, Afenifere argued that Kanu should be released in the interest of justice and national reconciliation.
Describing Kanu as a political detainee, the group said there is no justification for his continued detention without trial.
“Afenifere notes that from all circumstances, particularly since his abduction in 2021 and repatriation to Nigeria and since then subjected to controversial and conflicting legal proceedings in different courts by which his fair trial may no longer be guaranteed in the opinion of reasonable members of the public, it is clear that Nnamdi Kanu is undoubtedly a political detainee,” the communique reads.
“There is no justifiable reason to continue to keep him in detention without trial,” the communique added.
The association also appointed lawyer Dele Farotimi as the National Organising Secretary of Afenifere.