South East traditional rulers, bishops make case for Kanu’s release

By Adeleye Kunle

Traditional rulers and leaders of religious organizations in the South East zone have made a strong call for the release of separatist leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

Prominent personalities in the zone under the aegis of The South East Council of Traditional Rulers and

Representatives of Igbo Archbishops and Bishops On Peace and Conflict Resolution made the call in a press release on Tuesday.

The press release, which was jointly signed by the traditional ruler of Onitsha, Obi Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe who is also the chairman of Anambra State Council of traditional rulers called for the release of Kanu.

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja had last week Thursday discharged and acquitted Kanu of charges preferred against him by the federal government.

In its reaction, the group said: “We welcome this judgement and assert that the wisdom of the Appellate Court presents a timely and an unprecedented opportunity to overcome the challenge of trust that has obstructed the path to peace.

“It also opens the window to winning the hearts and minds of the people. We therefore unequivocally support the call for the immediate release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in line with the unanimous judgement of the Court that his extradition and subsequent trial was illegal, and the lower court had no jurisdiction to hear the case.