‘Terrorism’: I’m open to negotiation with FG, says Nnamdi Kanu

Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), says he is open to the prospects of negotiation with the federal government.

Kanu is standing trial on a seven-count charge bordering on treasonable felony as preferred against him by the federal government.

On May 20, Binta Nyako, the presiding judge, dismissed a bail application filed by Kanu.

Nyako also declined to grant Kanu’s plea to be transferred from the custody of the Department of State Service (DSS) to prison.

At the court session on Wednesday, Alloy Ejimakor, Kanu’s lawyer, told the court his client is open to exploring a settlement with the federal government under section 17 of the Federal High Court Act.

Ejimakor moved two applications for his client during the court session.

The first application is Form 49 filed against the federal government and Yusuf Bichi, director-general (DG) of the DSS, for allegedly failing to obey a court order.

The second application is objecting to the jurisdiction of the court.

Ejimakor said if the applications were denied, he would move for the implementation of section 17 of the Federal High Court Act.

Responding, Adegboyega Awomolo, counsel to the federal government, said he has no powers to negotiate on behalf of the government.

Awomolo added that the fiat given to him does not empower him to negotiate, adding that the defendant should approach the attorney-general of the federation.

Speaking to journalists after the court session, Kanu clarified that although he is not initiating the negotiations, he is open to it.

“They are the ones holding me. They should tell me what they want to do with me. I can’t seek what I didn’t initiate,” he said.

“They are the ones that kidnapped me and brought me here. It is whatever they say that will happen.”

Ejimakor added that his submissions in court were to remind the judge of her powers under section 17 of the Federal High Court Act.

“It is for the judge to decide,” he said.

“The prosecutor who is prosecuting by fiat is not opposed to that. He too said we can go to the AGF and we are saying the AGF can also come to us. That means we are open to the prospects of reconciliation.”