The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige has revealed how President Muhammadu can grant the unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Ngige stated this while reacting to Buhari’s response when some respected Igbo elders, led by Minister of Aviation in the First Republic, Chief Mbazulike Amaechi, visited him in Aso Rock, Abuja, and requested the unconditional release of Kanu.
Buhari assured the Igbo leaders that he would consider their request, even though he acknowledged that their demand was very difficult because it runs contrary to the doctrine of separation of powers between the Executive and Judiciary.
During an interview with Vanguard over the weekend, Chris Ngige said President Buhari “can use the prerogative of mercy, pardon, nolliprosequi or withdrawal of charges” against Nnamdi Kanu.
The minister also expressed his optimism that the president will do all he can to release the IPOB leader as he promised.
Ngige said, “President Buhari can use the prerogative of mercy, he can use pardon, he can use nolliprosequi, he can use withdrawal of charges.
“He knows what is best for the country and for our Igbo Nation because our place is in turmoil. The South-East is in turmoil economically, politically and security-wise.”
When asked if he believes that Buhari would facilitate the release of the IPOB leader, the Minister said: “The President I know has never said publicly to any delegation, ‘I will consider your request, it’s heavy but I will consider it’ in the last six years that I was with him in government. I am optimistic he will do something.”
KanyiDaily recalls that Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor had also disclosed that the unconditional release of his client can be constitutionally secured through the executive arm of government headed by President Buhari.