Kanu expresses willingness to settle case with FG out of court
Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has expressed his readiness to settle his ongoing trial out of court with the Federal Government.
The IPOB Leader made this known yesterday at the resumed proceeding on the seven-count terrorism and treasonable felony charge the FG entered against him before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.
Kanu’s counsel led by Mr. Alloy Ejimakor, noted that Section 17 of the Federal High Court Act, made provision for amicable resolution of such matters.
Ejimakor, notified the court of the decision of his team to explore the option, after he moved two applications that were filed by his client.
Whereas one of the applications, sought the committal of the Director General of the Department of State Services, DSS, Mr. Yusuf Bichi, to prison for contempt of court, the second motion challenged the jurisdiction of the court to continue with the trial.
According to Kanu’s lawyer, he would be left with no option but to activate section 17 of the FHC Act, should the court dismiss the two applications he moved on behalf of his client.
“Section 17 of Federal High Court Rules, states that in any proceedings, the court may consider reconciliation and settlement,” Ejimakor added.
On his part, FG’s lawyer, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, said he had earlier informed the defendant that he lacked the powers to embark on such negotiation since it was not part of the Fiat that was issued to him by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.
He maintained that only the AGF has the authority to negotiate or take further steps in relation to the matter, noting that the case borders on alleged terrorism.
“If he is interested in negotiating, he knows the right place, the Attorney General of the Federation office,” Adegboyega, SAN, stated.
Commenting, the trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako said the duty of the court was to hear the matter that was brought before it and not to act as a solicitor for any of the parties.
He said it was left for the parties to agree on the way they want the matter to go.
“If you want to discuss with the AGF, no problem at all,” Justice Nyako added.
