Rep wants Nnamdi Kanu released to end killings in south-east — but house shelves motion

A recommendation seeking to ensure the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), suffered a setback at the house of representatives, on Thursday.  

Ginger Onwusibe, a lawmaker representing Isiala Ngwa north federal constituency of Abia, while proposing an amendment to a motion sponsored by Eze Nwachukwu from Ebonyi, said killings in the south-east were because of Kanu’s detention.

The motion sought to forestall the killings in Ebonyi/Ohaukwu federal constituency of Ebonyi state.

While moving the motion, Eze said a tragic incident occurred on July 4 where two residents were killed in a marketplace by faceless assailants, leaving several others seriously wounded.

He expressed disappointment that security agencies failed to provide proper protection for the market.

The lawmaker said despite the several attacks in the federal constituency, security agencies are yet to “adopt workable measures to abate further killing in the area”.

But contributing to the motion, Onwusibe proposed that the house should ask Tinubu to ensure Kanu’s release to put an end to the killings in the south-east geo-political zone.

“The insecurity situation in the entire south-east is a result of the prolonged detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu,” he said.

He asked the house to urge the president to see a “way of releasing him (Kanu) so as to restore peace in the entire south-east”.

But Abdullahi Halims, the deputy majority leader, kicked against the prayer, saying the house should not delve into a matter which is before the court.

“The amendment as proposed by my colleague for the release of somebody in detention is a constitutional matter and should not be brought before the floor of this house because it is in the court and (would be) subjudice,” Halims said.

“Matters like that are always determined by the court and not by parliamentary decision.”

However, Benjamin Kalu, the deputy speaker, spoke in favour of the amendment, noting that the proposal by Onwusibe sought to find an “amicable way” of securing Kanu’s release.

“The motion moved by Ginger was to find an amicable way of resolving the issue with regards to Nnamdi Kanu and to maybe urge the president to use any other diplomatic or political approach, granted that this is before the court, to find a lasting solution on this issue because those of us from the south-east know where the shoe is pinching us,” Kalu, who is from Abia said.

Kalu said Kanu’s release would create a “healthy situation in the south-east”.

“The amendment is for us to urge Mr president to use political and diplomatic intervention to release Nnamdi Kanu to enable that zone to find a lasting peace,” he added.

When Tajudeen Abbas, the speaker, put the amendment to a voice vote, he couldn’t determine if it was the ayes or nays that were louder.

“Honourable colleagues, I am unable to ascertain which side has carried the day. So we will suspend the (proposed amendment) to the end. Let me allow other people to propose their amendment,” he said.

Usman Kumo, the chief whip, in his contribution, corroborated Halims’ position, saying the matter should not be discussed because it is in the court.

“We don’t have any issue with the release of anybody in Nigeria. All Nigerians are very important but let’s please respect our
laws. We cannot discuss it,” he said.

Kumo also cited order 9 rule 1(5) of the house’ standing order,  which states that “reference shall not be made to any matter which the judicial decision is pending, in such a way as might, in the speaker’s opinion, prejudice the interest of parties thereto”.

In his ruling, Abbas said the amendment will be decided on next week after “due consultation”.

“This is a topical issue, my ruling on this is that I will defer ruling on this at this particular time and I will invite both the minority and majority leaders so that we can consult and see what the point of the law says before I make my own position known,” the speaker said.

“So while I rule on other motions and amendments that have been proposed, that particular one is suspended for ruling next week after due consultation.”