Court orders FG, Nnamdi Kanu to pursue reconciliation

The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a directive for the Nigerian government and IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, to pursue reconciliation.

According to Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, special counsel for IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, he said that the court issued the order on Wednesday when Kanu’s case was brought up”.

The attorney claimed there were biased media reports claiming Kanu tried to negotiate the charges against him with the Nigerian government.

He stated that the directive was issued by the court using its authority under Section 17 of the Federal High Court Act.

Ejimakor said, “Today, invoking its powers under Section 17 of the Federal High Court, Justice Binta Murtala-Nyako directed the Attorney-General of the Federation and Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to explore the prospects of reconciliation or political solution in the ongoing trial of Nnamdi Kanu.

“Section 17 of the Federal High Court Act provides that ‘In any proceedings in the Court, the Court may promote reconciliation among the parties thereto and encourage and facilitate the amicable settlement thereof’.
 
“Responding, the private prosecutor representing the Federal government, Ademoyega Awomolo (SAN) told the Court that he has no objection to political settlement or solution of the case but Kanu’s lawyers should discuss it directly with the Attorney-General.
 
“In the same vein, Kanu’s lead counsel Aloy Ejimakor expressed no objection to political settlement.”

Kanu had filed an application before the court seeking to move form 49, and a second application which objected to the court’s jurisdiction to try him.
 
Kanu is facing trial on terrorism charges levelled against by former President Muhammadu Buhari administration over his call and agitation for a sovereign state of Biafra.

The case has continued under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. The case was adjourned to September 24 for further hearing.