By Abiola Olawale
The leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has expressed his willingness to engage in negotiations with the Federal Government.
Kanu, through his legal counsel, Allot Ejimakor made this known during court proceedings on Wednesday.
Ejimako during his address before the court said his client is ready to embrace of court settlement on the seven-count terrorism and treasonable felony charge slammed against him.
The legal counsel said the decision to explore the out-of-court settlement would be explored after the court gave its verdict on the two pending applications before it.
Ejimako revealed that his client is waiting for the outcome of the application which is seeking the committal of the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Yusuf Bichi, to prison for contempt of court, the second motion challenged the jurisdiction of the court to continue with the trial.
According to him, should the court strike out the two applications his client will pursue the out-of-court settlement in line with Section 17 of the Federal High Court Act.
He said: “Section 17 of Federal High Court Rules, states that in any proceedings, the court may consider reconciliation and settlement.”
On his part, FG’s lawyer, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, said he had earlier informed the defendant that he lacked the powers to embark on such negotiation since it was not part of the Fiat that was issued to him by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.
He maintained that only the AGF has the authority to negotiate or take further steps about the matter, noting that the case borders on alleged terrorism.
“If he is interested in negotiating, he knows the right place, the Attorney General of the Federation office,” Adegboyega, SAN, stated.
The New Diplomat reports that Kanu was first arrested in Lagos on October 14, 2015, upon his return to the country from the United Kingdom, UK.
Justice Nyako had on April 25, 2017, granted him bail on health grounds, after he had spent about 18 months in detention.
Upon the perfection of the bail conditions, he was on April 28, 2017, released from the Kuje prison.
However, midway into the trial, the IPOB leader escaped from the country after soldiers invaded his country home at Afara Ukwu Ibeku in Umuahia, Abia State, an operation that led to the death of some of his followers.
Kanu was later re-arrested in Kenya on June 19, 2021, and extraordinarily renditioned back to the country by security agents on June 27, 2021.
Following the development, the trial court, on June 29, 2021, remanded him in custody of DSS, where he remained till date.
