The legal team of the Ndigbo Group has met with the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, to monitor the proceedings relating to the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations to the Office of the AGF, Jibrilu Gwandu.

The statement stated that the position of Ohanaze Ndigbo on the issue of Kanu demonstrated their recognition of belonging to Nigeria and succumbing to the rule of law.

“The group showed a mature departure from the mindset of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra when Ohanaeze said they ‘do not support the use of any form of violence’ while channelling concerns and presenting demands.

“By urging the youths to be law-abiding and sheath their sword as well as asking them to try to obtain a voter’s card to enable them to contribute to national development, the position of Ohanaeze becomes glaringly constitutional and commendable.” it read in part.

Malami also stated that the current administration “respects the rule of law and does not advocate for the breach of law. Hence, with or without the so-called monitoring group, justice will be adequately served to Nnamdi Kanu in compliance with the enshrined provisions of the law.”

He also expressed hope that the group will be open-minded and guided by the rule of law as they will convey the court’s judgment to their people in their local dialects.

BROKEN SILENCE

Earlier, the Igbo socio-cultural organisation broke its silence on the rearrest of  Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, by the Federal Government.

Ohanaeze insisted that in as much it was not averse to Kanu’s trial, he must be tried within the ambit of the laws of the country and in line with global best practices, adding that it identifies with grievances of the Igbo youths on the marginalisation, menace of Fulani herdsmen among others.

The group stated this in a communique issued at the end of its National Executive Committee meeting held on Saturday at its National Secretariat in Enugu, signed by its spokesman, Chief Alex Ogbonnia, and made available to journalists on Sunday.

Ohanaeze, however, said to ensure a fair trial of the leader of the IPOB leader, that it has constituted a legal team and eminent Igbo leaders that will be led by its National Legal Adviser to monitor the proceedings throughout the trial.

The six-point resolution read, “That Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has observed with keen interest the recent re-arraignment and consequent trial of our son, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

“That, in as much as Ohanaeze Ndigbo is not averse to his trial, we however submit that he should be tried within the ambit of the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and in line with global best practices.”

It added, “Ohanaeze strongly support the stand taken by the Southern Governors Forum on anti-open grazing, restructuring, rotation of the President of Nigeria to the South in 2023, and the proposed 5% share of the Petroleum Industries Bill (PIB) for the host communities.

“That we identify with the Igbo youths in their grievances with respect to Igbo marginalisation, the menace of the Fulani herdsmen, etc, however, we do not support the use of any form of violence to redress the relative deprivation and prevailing inequality and injustice across the country.”

Ohanaeze, however, appealed to the Igbo youths to be law-abiding and sheath their sword, and allow their leaders and stakeholders to address those collective grievances through meaningful dialogue and negotiations.

It further enjoined Ndigbo, especially the youths to take the ongoing voters’ registration exercise seriously, adding that “this is the only means that guarantees effective participation in Nigerian politics and a sine qua non to achieve our goals and aspirations in the Nigerian project.”