Special counsel to the leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Aloy Ejimakor, on Monday told the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari that “dialogue is amicable; trial is not”.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that quoting a section of the Federal High Court Act, Ejimakor wrote on his known Twitter handle: “Sec. 17 of Federal High Court Act (Reconciliation in civil & CRIMINAL cases) says: “In any proceedings in the Court, the Court may promote RECONCILIATION among the parties thereto & encourage & facilitate the AMICABLE settlement thereof”. Dialogue is amicable. Trial is not. #MNK.”
Kanu was accused of various offences, including treasonable felony and terrorism, offences he allegedly committed in the course of his separatist campaigns.
The 54-year-old had pleaded not guilty to all the 15 amended charges. The court struck out eight.
On behalf of Kanu, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, had made a similar request as Ejimakor, asking President Buhari to use his prerogative of mercy on the pro-Biafra group leader.
Speaking last week at an event organised in his honour by Hope Uzodimma, Imo governor, in Owerri, George Obiozor, the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo said the federal and state governments should engage “restive” Igbo youths in a dialogue to resolve the crisis in the south-east peacefully.