Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The Federal Government has remained silent as reactions trail last weekend’s opinion by the United Nations, UN Human Rights Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, requesting Nigeria to “immediately release” the detained Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and also pay him compensations for the violation of his fundamental human rights.
Accordingly, Methodist Church Prelate, Bishop Samuel Uche, has urged the Federal Government to initiate negotiations with the IPOB leader, Kanu.
Former Chairman of Human Rights Commission, Professor Chidi Odinkalu, however, has reservations whether Nigeria would comply with the UN opinion but said the country would “increasingly suffer a damaging credibility and legitimacy deficits.”
In his response, Associate Professor and Director Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts, Dr Sam Amadi, said “it is a significant victory for Kanu’s family and lawyers,” although he noted that “it is still a process.”
Bishop Uche who spoke while responding to a question from Ikengaonline during his valedictory priestly visit to Umuahia Diocese, advised the Federal Government not to feel too big to dialogue with Kanu.
He argued that releasing Kanu would rather do Nigeria good than any harm contrary to unwarranted fears in some quarters.
As he put it: “What I want to advise the Federal Government is that releasing Nnamdi Kanu, and Sunday Igbogho, social crusaders, will bring much healing to the land.
“I say this not because I’m Igbo. There are people like them in other countries. They (their Governments) don’t go and kill them or hang them.
“If your child is crying, call him as a father and ask him why he is crying. Don’t feel too big to negotiate with your son.
“So, releasing Kanu and Igbogho will bring more healing and not harm to Nigeria. If I were the Federal Government I will use those people for positive things.
“I’m an administrator. Not every member of the church even the clergy is system compliant but we know how to use some people you think are bad to achieve a positive result. It all depends on the leadership.”
When Ikengaonline contacted Professor Odinkalu for his comment on the UN submission on Nnamdi Kanu, he said: “The report of the Working Group is clear on its face. Nigeria historically has a poor compliance record, though.
“However, in the face of such clear determination by the Working Group, the actions of the Nigerian Government in this connection could increasingly suffer a damaging credibility and legitimacy deficits.”
Another scholar, Sam Amadi, however, noted that it was not yet uhuru for Kanu until the report was ratified by the UN General Assembly and the Security Council.
He said the process had begun, adding it is a significant victory for the Kanu and his followers.
“It’s not yet uhuru until the UN Security Council endorses the report.
“It’s a report and which will be filed with the General Assembly and the Security Council which can now become an instrument of bilateral or multilateral sanctions.
“The process is still far but a good government will be concerned because the committee must have looked at the facts as they affect human rights, extraordinary rendition and others.
“Government should comply with those recommendations. It’s a significant victory for the lawyers and Kanu’s family.”
Every attempt to get the position of the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (OAGF) and Minister of Justice on the matter failed as Dr Umar Gwandu, Special Assistant to the AGF and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), did not reply to text messages sent to him.
