The Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately release the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
In a communiqué issued on Tuesday following its general meeting at Isanya-Ogbo, the hometown of its leader, Ayo Adebanjo, the group expressed concerns that Kanu’s right to a fair hearing may no longer be assured due to conflicting and controversial legal proceedings across various courts.
The meeting, presided over by Afenifere’s deputy leader, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, resulted in a statement signed by both Olaitan and the National Publicity Secretary, Justice Faloye. The group emphasized that Kanu’s continued detention without trial was unjustified and urged his release in the interest of justice and national unity.
Describing Kanu as a political detainee, Afenifere reiterated that his prolonged incarceration undermines reconciliation efforts and fairness in the judicial process.
“Afenifere notes that from all circumstances, particularly since his abduction in 2021 and repatriation to Nigeria and since then subjected to controversial and conflicting legal proceedings in different courts by which his fair trial may no longer be guaranteed in the opinion of reasonable members of the public, it is clear that Nnamdi Kanu is undoubtedly a political detainee,” the communique reads.
“There is no justifiable reason to continue to keep him in detention without trial,” the communique added.
The association also appointed lawyer Dele Farotimi as the National Organising Secretary of Afenifere.
“The General Meeting considered and approved the appointment of Barrister Dele Farotimi as the National Organising Secretary of the Afenifere,” it stated.
Afenifere also reiterated the call for state police, saying the vast territory, population, and federation cannot be effectively and meaningfully secured with a single command of unitary police.
“Afenifere reiterates the position that Nigeria with its vast territory, population, and as a federation cannot be effectively and meaningfully secured with a single command unitary police structure and thus the need for the restructuring to ensure immediate constitutional institutionalization of state police.
“The steps will prevent a situation the Governor of Oyo State, even as the Chief Security Officer, had to helplessly and lamentably make an outcry on the infiltration of bandits into his state,” the communique further read.