South East lawmakers kick against Kanu’s bail rejection

The members of the House of Representatives from the South East are not happy about the court’s decision to deny bail to Nnamdi Kanu. They see it as a big setback for bringing peace back to the region.

Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere and Hon. Obi Aguocha, who were there at the court, believe that releasing Kanu would have been a crucial step in the healing process for the region.

Speaking on behalf of the legislators, Ugochinyere, who is representing Ideato South and North Federal Constituency in the House of Reps, said they received the rejection of Kanu’s bail application, with sadness.

He pleaded with President Bola Tinubu to invoke the relevant sections of the Constitution to discontinue Kanu’s trial.

He said, “We received the news of the rejection of the bail with sadness and we just lost an opportunity to commence them process of healing in our land.  

“That bail application, if granted would have brought an opportunity to open doors for discussion to bring about peace in the South East. 

“Just few weeks back, the federal government discontinued the criminal charge filed against Omoyele Sowore by the federal government. 

“I am also aware that the federal government has allowed Sunday Igboho back home. 

“It is so painful that when it is the turn of an Igbo man, the story is always different.  

“We are calling in President Bola Tinubu not to allow the moment to pass him by.  What the President should do and the Attorney-General of the Federation in particular, is to invoke the power invested on him under section 174 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, to discontinue the matter.  

“The case can be disontinued in the interest of the public and justice. 

“It is also painful for us that this bail application was rejected and we hope that President Tinubu will do the needful by discontinuing the matter,” the lawmaker stated. 

Trial Justice Binta Nyako had in a ruling on Tuesday, dismissed a fresh application that Kanu, who has been in custody of the Department of State Security Services, DSS, since June 29, 2021, filed to be released on bail, pending the determination of a seven-count treasonable felony charge the Federal Government preferred against him.