On Wednesday, Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), expressed his willingness to negotiate with the Federal Government.
Kanu based his proposal for negotiations on section 17 of the Federal High Court Act.
Detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) since 2021 following his re-arrest in Kenya and subsequent extradition to Nigeria, Kanu has been facing terrorism-related charges before an Abuja Federal High Court.
Section 17 of the Federal High Court Act stipulates that “In any Proceeding In the court, the court may promote reconciliation among parties thereto and encourage and facilitate the amicable settlement thereof.”
Kanu, through his lead counsel Alloy Ejimakor, informed the Abuja Federal High Court of his desire for negotiations while moving two applications before the court. The first application seeks to move for form 49, while the second objects to the court’s jurisdiction.
Ejimakor stated that if these applications are denied, they would invoke section 17 of the Federal High Court Act.
In response, the Federal Government’s counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo, informed the court that he had previously told the defendant that he does not have the authority to negotiate on behalf of the Federal Government, as his mandate does not include such powers. He advised the defendant to approach the Attorney General of the Federation.
Justice Binta Nyako responded by clarifying that the court’s role is not that of a solicitor but to adjudicate cases.
